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

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New cardiac sonography degree, gold’s decades-strong run, and family maple syruping + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Bemidji 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

New path into heart imaging: Northwest Technical College in Bemidji will launch a cardiac sonography degree with Sanford Health to ease local shortages through a two year program combining classroom study and clinical training — learn how the program works.

Mail-order pharmacy’s evolving mission: Bemidji’s Truax Patient Services named Chris Knutson CEO after a majority acquisition. The transition occurred in October. The pharmacy’s cash program grew 1,500 percent, filling 800 to 1,000 prescriptions daily — read the full story.

Hands-on outdoor adventures await: March at Lake Bemidji State Park features a timed ride, Story Tree preschool activities, and family maple syruping. Register at the park and attend a mandatory 9:30 a.m. prerace meeting — get all the details.

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:

• Experience somatic therapeutic hatha yoga
• Shop small at The Shed on Sullivan
• Enjoy nature storytime, Ojibwe, and crafts
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Flaky-slice craving, solved: Raphael’s Bakery & Cafe serves scratch-made pies, donuts, breads, and that legendary wild rice soup. Perfect for swinging by to grab a slice and pretend you’re just picking up bread… Neighbors have been doing exactly that since 1990.

Edited Copy Brighten your place with KD Floral & Gardens, keeping Bemidji blooming with thoughtfully designed arrangements in Rustic, Elegant, or Blush styles, plus local delivery and in‑store pickup. When life happens (birthdays, apologies, just because), next‑day service and wedding know‑how make pretty gifting simple.

Climb without the drive: Skip the road trip and get your climbing fix at Gillett Wellness Center in Bemidji. The 30-foot-plus wall offers routes for every level, a sneaky-good midweek reset with friends. Chalk up, try a new line, and let your forearms do the talking.

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.

🧚 No School Fairies and Leprechauns @ Apple Blossom Village | Friday (3/13) at 2:00 PM – Apple Blossom Village is luring the kids outdoors with Fairies and Leprechauns, a woodland romp where they build tiny shelters, follow forest clues, and craft with sticks and moss. You get fresh air, zero screens, and the smug satisfaction of nature doing the babysitting.

🧱 Lego Build Day @ Headwaters Science Center | Friday (3/13) at 3:30 PM – Whether your feet have Lego battle scars or your kids are just starting their brick obsession, Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji is hosting a free drop-in build fest. The kiddos go full engineer at stations, you chat with other parents, and everyone leaves happy, mostly.

📖 The Story Tree Preschool Program @ Lake Bemidji State Park | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – At the amphitheater, it’s story time for littles, with songs, a magic basket, Ojibwe words, and a craft. Afterwards, unleash them at the playground, puppets, and beaver lodge. Adults required, MN State Park permit $7 day or $35 year, rain moves to the Visitor Center.

🃏 Pokémon Adventures @ Accidentally Cool Games | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Swap your spreadsheets for shiny pulls at this weekly Pokémon TCG hangout, where newbies get coached, regulars battle, and our local Domino’s keeps the pizza coming. Six bucks gets you a booster pack and a slice or three, plus low-stakes bragging rights and good company.

🥾 Walk on the Wild Side @ Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Second Saturdays at Neilson Spearhead mean swapping errands for a free wander with the Audubon folks, spotting birds, tracks, and the patience you forgot you had. Bring curiosity, comfy shoes, and those neglected binoculars. No birding PhD required, though they’re recruiting volunteer guides.

🍁 Maple Syrup- A Gift From the Trees @ Lake Bemidji State Park | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Maple season is calling, with a stroll from the Visitor Center into the woods to watch a tapping demo, see the tools, and learn history and science behind your pancakes. Dress for weather, and bring a $7 day permit, or commit to the $35 annual.

🐟 Lenten Fish Fry @ St. Philip’s Catholic Church | Friday (3/20) at 4:30 PM – Skip the drive-thru and hit St. Philip’s for a proper Lenten fish fry, walleye with baby bakers, coleslaw, roll, and dessert; double $22, single $15, kids $10, dine-in or takeout. Come hungry, catch up with neighbors, and on the second Friday stay for Living Stations.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Bemidji report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 35°F – Low: 14°F – Precip: 2%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: A slight chance of snow between 7pm and 1am. Partly cloudy. Low around 14, with temperatures rising to around 17 overnight. West wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 38°F – Low: 18°F – Precip: 57%

Snow likely between 1pm and 4pm, then rain and snow likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. South southeast wind 2 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Later: Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. North northeast wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

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