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Hello Charleston! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin’s $114 million budget, green chili shootout & market mayhem, and 2026 WVSSAC boys’ basketball championships + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Charleston protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Proposed investments take shape: Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin unveiled a nearly $114 million budget for next fiscal year, investing in infrastructure and police and fire hiring. Charleston City Council will consider it March 16 — read the full story.

Growth on solid footing: CRW served 432,319 passengers in 2025, up 8 percent from 2024, with more flights, new investments, and a clean audit signaling continued momentum for Charleston’s airport — see what’s driving growth.

Learning beyond the classroom: Enrollment is open for the 2026-2027 school year at West Virginia Virtual Academy, a tuition free K12 powered online school serving students statewide, led by state certified teachers with clubs, competitions, and field trips — see how to apply.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Share a meal and practice mutual aid
• Shop spring crafts supporting track teams
• Join Partners in Recovery dinner fundraiser
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Treat-yourself pie alert: When a regular dessert won’t cut it, Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream delivers with old-school ice cream pies, available whole or by the slice, plus scoops that never miss. Downtown sweetness for a midweek reset, no fuss… just classic comfort that reliably turns days around.

Brighten your week: Young Floral Company has been family-owned in Charleston since 1947, creating hand-arranged bouquets and plants that feel personal, not perfunctory. Mark a birthday, treat a just-because moment, or brighten a room. Their designers make spreading a little joy simple.

Chalk up, Charleston: Eyeing that next grade? eNeRGy Rock Gym keeps it bouldering-forward, ideal for sharpening footwork, swapping beta, and chasing a pump without ropes. Expect low-key vibes, quality problems, and crash pads for days… basically a weeknight reset that still feels like progress.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

⚾ Girl Power: Women in Baseball @ Kanawha County Public Library (Main Library) | Wednesday (3/11) at 2:00 PM – Women’s History Month is stepping up to the plate with a storytime about the women who kept baseball alive in the 1940s, plus student performances from Kelly’s Dance Studio. Bring the kids, soak up history, and maybe retire that tired ‘boys of summer’ line.

🥁 Drum Circle @ Wandering Wind Meadery | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – Whether you’ve got chops or still clap on 1 and 3, Dave’s drum circle, led by a pro, will have you learning, laughing, and sipping cold mead. Borrow a hand drum, bring a tambourine, pack outside snacks, and yes, dogs and kids are welcome.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Party @ McKinley Middle School (Saint Albans) | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – Nothing says St. Paddy’s like letting the kids go full leprechaun at the former McKinley Middle School, grades K-5. Parks and Rec brings music, games, prizes, and the holy trinity of kid cuisine, Bammy’s chili dogs and Marco’s pizza, while supplies last, so wear green.

🌶 Green Chili Shootout & Market Mayhem @ Capitol Market Outdoor Pavilion | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Green Chili Shootout and Market Mayhem is taking over Capitol Market with unlimited chili samples from pros and amateurs. Snag a $10 advance tasting ticket, or $15 at the door, then stick around for Regatta Pro Wrestling, free, because heartburn pairs with body slams.

🧺 Build A Basket @ Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Spring calls for glue sticks, good deeds, and a quick trip to the MLK Jr. Community Center. The kids and grandkids get hands-on making Easter baskets, then spread the cheer with Acts of Kindness, and you get wholesome chaos, coffee, and a quiet afternoon later.

🏀 2026 WVSSAC Boys’ Basketball Championships @ Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center | Tuesday (3/17) at 12:00 AM – Nothing beats boys’ state hoops when half the state shows up in matching hoodies, cowbells, and hope. Grab the all-session pass, catch every game from tipoff to trophy, and treat it like a reunion, pepperoni rolls, student sections, and bragging rights inevitable.

🎳 Lucky Strikes @ River Alley (St Albans) | Tuesday (3/17) at 4:00 PM – Whether you still have your own ball or haven’t rented shoes in decades, River Alley goes full St. Patrick’s with bowling, green beer, and hourly strike prizes. Spot green pins, score surprise wins, grab the themed bites, and call it quality time, not cardio.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Charleston report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 84°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 78%

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 9am, then showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and midnight, then rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 37, with temperatures rising to around 42 overnight. West wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 80%

Rain before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Southwest wind 2 to 6 mph.

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