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Hi Billings, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: High-wage skilled-trades boom, a pirate murder mystery feast, and A Flock of Seagulls + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

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

High-wage hands-on careers surge: Skilled trades are flocking to Billings as infrastructure work, electrification and new data centers drive demand. Growth outpaces the U.S., and pay for plumbers and electricians hovers around $63,000 — see what’s driving the surge.

Community partners uplift educators: Billings’ One Class at a Time program recently honored Independent School special education teacher Angelica Johnson, awarding a classroom grant and recognizing her inspiring perseverance as a working mom — learn more about her journey.

Shaping tomorrow’s skies: Aviation leaders gathered in Billings for the Montana Aviation Conference, discussing safety and the future of flight. It awarded over $60,000 in scholarships and connected student pilots with industry advocates — read the full story.

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:

• Learn palette knife oil painting
• Decorate Easter cookies at Yellowstone Cellars
• Create wildlife-friendly spaces with native plants
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Your midweek culture fix: Powered by local talent and 70+ years of scrappy heart, Billings Studio Theatre serves up a lively mix of comedies, musicals, and kid-friendly shows that make weeknights feel less… weekday. If you’ve been meaning to lean into the arts, consider this your easiest yes.

Hot dog detour: Whether you’re team Classic Chicago or crave a chili-smothered dog, The Burger Dive quietly serves a Nathan’s Famous lineup alongside its burgers. Ideal for a midweek fix when cooking feels optional, with fries that make a strong case for potatoes’ purpose.

Cozy stacks, local vibes: If your TBR needs a nudge, This House of Books offers member-owned warmth, thoughtful picks (plenty of Montana voices), and the occasional poetry mic or bookish meetup to keep pages turning, all run by readers who know the books they recommend.

\*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 →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Billings for grown ups

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.

🛍 Ladies Night Spring Shopping Event @ The Base Camp | Thursday (3/12) at 4:00 PM – Spring invites a ladies’ night in the Mid/West End. Wander Joy of Living, Sanctuary Spa & Salon, and company for exclusive deals, sips, and a passport you’ll stamp to enter a stacked local gift basket. Quality time, local love, and cardio with receipts.

🌈 406 Pride Pint Night @ Thirsty Street Brewing Co. | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Hit Thirsty Street for a 406 Pride pint night where your random fact hoarding finally pays off with trivia, prizes, and bragging rights. Every sip supports local queer programming, so that second round counts as philanthropy, not procrastination. Good beer, good company, good cause.

☠ Blood & Black Flags A Pirate Murder Mystery Feast @ Captain Scurvy’s Black Dragon Den | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Captain Scurvy’s Black Dragon Den serves a pirate murder mystery feast, where performers mingle at your table. Think Clue, but with mead. Eighty bucks gets you a hearty buffet and bragging rights, mead is extra, suspicion is mandatory, and participation optional. Seats vanish fast.

🐦 A Flock of Seagulls @ The Pub Station Taproom | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 PM – A Flock of Seagulls is swooping into Pub Station Ballroom with a full band and an 80s night, so dust off the shoulder pads and Aqua Net. Expect “I Ran,” synths you can feel, and hair that violates building codes. Dress up, relive, repeat.

🍺 Bierstacheln Day @ 1Ō5 Brewing | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Old-school German bar magic, right here. They dip a red-hot iron into dark beer, caramelizing malt into a warm, creamy cap over a cold pour, with caramel, butterscotch, and toasted malt. Basically crème brûlée for your stout, without the tiny spoon.

🐶 Bingo B-Cause @ The Den Sports Bar & Ale House | Tuesday (3/17) at 6:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day bingo is taking over The Den on the West End, raising funds for senior pups at Pooch’z B&B, and giving your dauber a workout. Ten bucks gets a card for five games, buy up to five, with cash prizes, food, and drinks.

✒ Intro to Modern Calligraphy Workshop @ Crooked Line Studio | Wednesday (3/18) at 6:00 PM – Trade your chicken scratch for loops at a modern calligraphy workshop with Tonya Fink. You’ll learn the basics, from proper grip to lowercase letters, and leave with ink, nib, pen, and practice sheets, so your notes thank you. Optional kit available, no experience required.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/12 World Ballet Company: Cinderella @ Alberta Bair Theater – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Blood & Black Flags A Pirate Murder Mystery Feast @ Captain Scurvy’s Black Dragon Den – 6:00 PM
• 3/13 Kitchen Party @ Kirks’ Grocery – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 Shamrock the Block @ Hooligan’s Sports Bar – 12:00 PM
• 3/15 Anthem @ Walkers Grill – 7:00 PM
• 3/16 Rittz @ The Pub Station Taproom – 8:00 PM
• 3/19 SuperPlex and more @ Craft Local – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Billings report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 61°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 16%

A slight chance of rain between 2pm and 4pm. Partly sunny. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. West wind 23 to 47 mph, with gusts as high as 67 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind 6 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 36°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 90%

Snow. Cloudy. High near 36, with temperatures falling to around 34 in the afternoon. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Later: Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 28. East northeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

This house is wild

This 7-bed, 4.5-bath retreat spans 12.99 acres in a private gated community, close to town yet secluded. Sunlit rooms frame sweeping views. A party-ready kitchen, two gas fireplaces, and a 3-car garage elevate ease. Separate quarters add flexibility. Summer shines with pool and 27×33 barn with power and water, ideal for horses or projects. Seller offers 1% toward closing costs.

Take a peek inside →