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Hi Billings, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Six can’t-miss summer concerts, a skilled-trades boom, and a live-action Clue night at a mansion + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Montana drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Big names take the stage: From Missoula to Billings, six can’t-miss summer concerts are coming, including Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton on July 19, the Zootown Festival, and the Red Clay Strays’ event in Rexford — check out the full lineup.

Chain expands in Montana: Billings’ first Cheba Hut has opened on the West End, bringing 50 jobs. The Billings Chamber says the new sandwich spot will boost local employment and draw visitors — get all the details.

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.

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.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Discuss Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
• Celebrate elk country at Big Game Banquet
• Join Eagle Mount Spring Break adventures

💎 This week’s top finds

Old-school toy heaven: Whether you’ve got a farm-obsessed kiddo or a grown-up collector, Action Toys lines the shelves with scale tractors, construction rigs, animals, plush, puzzles, and ride-ons. Expect sturdy classics that entertain for hours and, somehow, wind up on your desk too… proof that playtime never really ends.

Pie night, solved: Montana Pie Company makes take-and-bake beauties you can snag around town, slide into the oven, then take the credit. Flavors rotate, and you’ll find them at local grocers like Poly Food Basket and Town & Country Foods. Minimal effort, maximum pie joy.

Craving classic comfort? Bernie’s Diner serves all-day breakfast, hefty burgers, and frosty milkshakes, with a friendly downtown buzz that makes everything taste brighter. Slide into a booth, sip a shake, and let the easygoing 50s vibe handle your midweek mood… no fuss, just feel-good nostalgia.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 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 →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

🌿 YVAS Program: Sustainable Gardens @ Mayflower Congregational UCC Billings, MT | Monday (3/16) at 7:00 PM – Give the tomatoes a fighting chance and snag sustainable gardening know-how from NRCS pro Zoe Craft, free. She’ll cover city conservation, gentle soil care, season extenders, and pollinator plantings, plus where to find resources. Come early for coffee, cookies, and conversation.

🦅 Eagle Mount Spring Break Days @ Central Christian Church | Thursday (3/19) at 9:00 AM – Sign them up for Eagle Mount’s Spring Break Days, two days of local outings, creative projects, and active fun built for March’s mood swings. Think quick trips to Red Lodge or Cody, easy Billings adventures; register at https://eaglemountbillings.org/product/spring-break-camp/, or volunteer at https://forms.gle/mNwaxVVjTXzYbZKR9.

🕵 Clue @ Moss Mansion | Friday (3/20) at 7:00 PM – Channel your inner Miss Scarlet and prowl the Moss Mansion for a live-action Clue night, part strategy, part gleeful snooping. Spots are limited, it’s $30, 18+ only, with plenty of stairs, sensible shoes, and snacks and drinks, all while helping keep the old house standing.

🐰 Meet the Easter Bunny @ Scheels | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – SCHEELS is rolling out the big ears, so bring the kids, your camera, and your polite smile for the Easter Bunny meet-and-greet. Multiple photo ops, free balloon animals near Ginna’s Cafe, and coloring sheets make it painless, free, and very spring-forward. All ages, zero sign-ups.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Cookie Class @ Meadowlark Brewing | Saturday (3/21) at 2:00 PM – Trade the green-beer circus for a St. Paddy’s cookie decorating class at Meadowlark Brewing, all supplies provided, first drink included. Learn simple techniques, laugh with friends, family, or a date, and leave with shamrocked sugar cookies, bragging rights, and a sweet buzz you actually earned.

🔥 Pyrography Workshop @ Frae Collective by Frae Everyday Goods | Saturday (3/21) at 3:00 PM – Trade your screen for a woodburning pen and learn pyrography with Slow Burn Designs at Frae Collective. It’s a hands-on session where you’ll etch custom designs into real wood, enjoy that cedar smell, and leave with something you’ll display, not stash in a drawer.

🌉 Walk the Bridge @ Adaptive Performance Center | Sunday (3/22) at 6:00 PM – Take a quiet 2.2-mile walk on the 22nd, a steady show of support for our vets, active duty, and their families. Winter meets at APC, fair weather at Swords Park. Cardio with a purpose, neighbors, and the reminder no one walks alone.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Billings report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 28°F – Low: 13°F – Precip: 23%

A slight chance of snow showers before 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 28. North wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy. Low around 13, with temperatures rising to around 17 overnight. South southeast wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 48°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 18%

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Southwest wind 6 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy. Low around 40, with temperatures rising to around 45 overnight. West southwest wind 12 to 15 mph.

Most popular house this week

This ultimate shop house spans two lots under 10 acres, pairing workspace with comfort. The 4,944 sq ft shop features five insulated doors with commercial motors front and back, a grease pit, and a lift, plus radiant heat and LED lighting. Attached living adds luxe kitchen, premium finishes, fenced grounds with pet enclosure, a covered patio, and seasonal flood irrigation.

Take a peek inside →