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Happy weekend, Billings!
In today’s happening-today edition: Team USA’s double gold inspires young skaters, a pirate murder mystery feast, and World Ballet Company’s Cinderella + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor (Money.com) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Local skaters find inspiration: Team USA’s men’s and women’s Olympic golds are energizing Billings youth hockey players after the men’s 2-1 overtime win over Canada, the first U.S. men’s title in 46 years — read the full story.
Spotlighting regional literary voices: Nominations are open for the 2026 High Plains International Book Awards, with winners to be announced in October in Billings after each book is read by four community readers — get all the details.
Vote looming on permitting changes: Billings City Council on Feb. 23 weighed cutting construction permit fees by 23 to 31 percent to keep projects moving as costs climb, and builders cautioned impact may be limited — see what’s in the proposal.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
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I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
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🫶 We got your back
Color fix, downtown: Resiliency, Melisa Trombley’s buffalo-dreamed mural, lights up a once-ominous alley and proves why public art matters, as downtownbillings.com notes. Stroll by this week and let the big-sky palette lift your mood, a small downtown pick-me-up.
Restock your stash: Yarn Bar keeps Billings makers inspired with natural-fiber yarns lining the shelves, humans who truly know gauge math, and gatherings when you want company with your stitches. Pet skeins, pick up tools or a fresh pattern, and head out with a project that actually excites you.
Downtown pint break: Angry Hank’s Microbrewery pours fresh Billings brews made with Montana barley and Yakima hops. The taproom is easygoing, ideal for quick catch-ups or a low-key pregame. Non-beer friends can sip cider, seltzer, or wine under the beer-and-wine license.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town today & tomorrow
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.
🥞 Brunch with Benefits @ Montana Dress Co | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Ready to retire the fleece and meet your spring self? Brunch with Benefits is a private shopping hang with brunch, mimosas, and 25% off fresh arrivals, all for a $14 reservation. Come solo or squad up, and let them refresh your closet.
🌸 First Bloom: The Turning Season @ Barjon’s Books | Saturday (3/7) at 10:30 AM – Burnout looking more like quiet than flames? Come as you are to a low-key healing workshop where we turn simple cutting boards into spring decor with painted florals, ribbon, and bud vases, and let small, honest reflection do the heavy lifting. Two sessions, zero hustle.
🎨 Art That Feeds @ Bitterroot Sip and Paint | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Community art day with Ms. Huckleberry, Tia Tarka, and Bitterroot Sip and Paint, where your pantry purging actually helps. Bring a non-expired, non-perishable item, get $2 off open studio bottle painting, normally $8, with all materials, helpful artists, and demo inspiration. Donations benefit Tumbleweed.
🌱 Community Seed Swap @ Billings Public Library | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – At the Billings Library Community Room, it’s a good old-fashioned seed swap where neighbors trade little packets of future salsa and bouquets. Bring some to share or just pick up free, regionally adapted veggie, fruit, and flower seeds, then swap tips, not gossip.
➗ Math Happens @ Wise Wonders Science & Discovery Museum | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Wise Wonders is turning math into play with a pop-up room the kids will drag you into. It’s hands-on, for all ages, and included with memberships and regular entry, popping up every Saturday, plus first Fridays, so yes, this counts as quality time, not homework.
🐔 Crochet Chicken Class @ The Maker’s Market | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Finally, a backyard chicken that will not wake the neighbors. Beginner friendly crochet class, stitch a cute hen, all supplies included, ages 9 to 99, $35, and you leave with a bird you do not have to feed.
🕵 Couples Clue @ Moss Mansion | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 PM – If your date night needs a little murder, mayhem, and mystery, head to Moss Mansion for Couple’s Clue. You and your partner are literally tied together to sleuth creaky rooms, climb stairs, and dodge death. $60 per couple, limited spots, helps preserve the old place.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Billings report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 60°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. West southwest wind 14 to 24 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 41, with temperatures rising to around 43 overnight. West southwest wind 16 to 21 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. West southwest wind 17 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 35, with temperatures rising to around 40 overnight. West northwest wind 10 to 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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