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Rise and shine, Billings! In today’s edition: New sandwich shop, a singing pub show, a library duck hunt, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Informing funding and services locally: Billings needs volunteers for the 2026 Point-In-Time Count. Teams will survey neighbors experiencing homelessness, with training after registration. Donations of hand warmers, individually wrapped snacks, and adult socks are requested — see how to volunteer or donate.
Laid-back eatery joins scene: Cheba Hut, a cannabis-inspired toasted sub chain, will open soon at Shiloh Crossing in Billings. It appears to be Montana’s first location, with creative subs, munchies sides, and gooey marshmallow treats — get all the details.
What residents need to know: Billings has resumed late fees and shutoffs for overdue water bills. Shutoffs start today for customers without payment plans after an audit found no systemic billing issues — read the full story.
Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Expanding hands-on learning options: Billings schools are benefiting from Montana’s Innovative Education Tax Credit, which lets residents donate up to $200,000 and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on next year’s taxes. Recent gifts boosted fifth-grade robotics and the Career Center’s trades program. Donations count toward a $7.2 million cap and are accepted through January 21. See how to donate.
Wake-up-and-go brows: Tired of wrestling a spoolie before coffee? BrowArt PMU & Microblading offers microblading, combo brows, and henna shaping for arches that look soft, full, and tidy. Spend less time penciling and more time sipping, with results that stay put all week.
Quiet local lifesaver: When the pantry looks thin or a neighbor needs a hand, Billings Family Service steps up with weekly food boxes, rent and utility help, and a thrift store that powers the work. Steady, no-fuss support from a crew serving Billings since 1906.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
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📆 Around town this 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.
📅 100 Strong Billings – Quarterly Meeting @ Hilands Golf Club | Tuesday (1/13) at 5:30 PM – This quarterly meetup brings the 100 Strong Billings crew together to catch up, compare notes, and rally around what’s next. Think friendly faces, local impact, and zero small talk about the weather. Add it to your calendar, bring a friend, and make something good happen.
🎉 Grand Opening Party & Open House @ Santosha Yoga | Wednesday (1/14) at 5:00 PM – The Heights finally gets its first yoga and wellness studio, and they’re celebrating with an open-house party on Wicks Lane. Expect hot drinks, snacks, local vendors, and food trucks, plus giveaways and founding-rate deals. No pretzel poses required, free to pop in, and kids welcome.
🧶 Chunky Blanket Hand Knitting Class @ Casual Space | Wednesday (1/14) at 6:00 PM – Ready to trade scroll time for a chunky blanket you made? Learn starts, color changes, patterns, and finishing in a beginner hand knitting class. Bring finger-thick jumbo yarn, $15, only 10 spots, register at casualspacemt.com/shop, and yes, those craft store coupons finally pay off.
🐹 Small Animal Classes! @ PetSmart | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve been eyeing a hamster but remember what happened to the houseplants, hit the small animal class at the PetSmart on King Ave. Learn real care tips, earn a certificate, and it’s free. Just sign up, then go be the responsible one.
🎶 The Choir of Man @ Alberta Bair Theater | Thursday (1/15) at 7:30 PM – Imagine a pub that sings, dances, and actually pours pints, then drop it on our Billings stage. THE CHOIR OF MAN brings big harmonies, cheeky poetry, and hits from Guns N’ Roses to Adele, the kind of feel-good night your younger self still recognizes. Cheers.
🏞 Big Sky Outdoor Expo 2026 @ Billings Hotel & Convention Center Billings | Friday (1/16) at 12:00 PM – Big Sky Outdoor Expo is back, and yes, the poker raffle tokens are too. Swing by Booth #13, play your hand, and you might leave with a MOA rifle or other brag-worthy prizes. Low effort, high payoff, and more fun than reorganizing your gear closet.
🦆 The Great Duck Hunt! @ Billings Public Library | Friday (1/16) at 5:30 PM – The ducks are back, and they have zero respect for the Dewey Decimal System. Grab clues in the community room, then comb the stacks to uncover their hiding spots. Find 14 of 15, enter for a prize, and claim bragging rights with the grandkids.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📣 Own or manage a local business?
Meet BaseLocal Business — a free and easy way to get your business happenings in front of our readers.
How it works:
- Sign up (it takes less than 5 minutes)
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Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Billings locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.
We also regularly spotlight verified businesses just because we think they’re great.
Click here to get started (it’s free) →
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📻 Billings report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 62°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny. High near 62, with temperatures falling to around 57 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 15 to 26 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy. Low around 45, with temperatures rising to around 49 overnight. West southwest wind around 18 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 61°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 5%
Mostly cloudy. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 56 in the afternoon. West wind 12 to 22 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy. Low around 37, with temperatures rising to around 40 overnight. West wind 7 to 12 mph.
This house is wild
New construction in an established NW Billings neighborhood, this six-bedroom, four-bath home blends fresh style with a classic setting. The open kitchen brings a deep sink, granite counters, a big island, a pantry, and abundant cabinets. Dining built-ins double as a coffee bar. A patio door opens to the deck and backyard. The primary suite includes two closets and a private bath. Main floor laundry links to the garage.
A finished lower level adds three bedrooms, a family room, a bonus room, and storage, plus two custom bathrooms. Outside, a large deck, mature trees, new sod, and underground sprinklers shape a yard for easy Montana days.
Take a peek inside →
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