Happy weekend, Billings! In today’s happening-today edition: Tree climbing championship, 24 percent water rate hike, and fishing with dad + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, 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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Competition and community event: First-ever ISA Tree Climbing Championship and Pollinator Fair at Pioneer Park continues today in Billings, with climbers vying in the Masters' Challenge and prizes including registration for NATCC and ITCC -- see the full event details.
Rising costs hit customers: Billings Heights Water District approved a 24 percent water rate hike that takes effect July 1, with another planned next year. A laundromat owner says his bill could jump $400 -- see the water rate hike.
New league chapter ahead: NAHL approved the Billings Cattle Punchers to join its new Mountain Division, moving from the unsanctioned NCDC. Play begins in the 2026-27 season with rivals in Colorado, Utah and Idaho -- meet the Cattle Punchers.
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Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Swing smarter this week: Golf WRLD has TrackMan simulators, a PuttView system, and real short-game zones so you can dial in wedges and putts without waiting on weather. Join a league, book a session, or host a low-stress hangout that actually improves your game.
Fresh-from-Alaska hookup: Craving better seafood at home? Kwee-Jack Fish Co. brings fisherman-direct wild Alaskan sockeye, halibut and cod to Billings with flash-frozen, sushi-grade, vacuum-sealed cuts. Preorder for seasonal pick up or swing by the weekly pick up, then feel wildly smug cooking dinner this week.
Neighborhood breather spot: When you and the pup need a quick reset, Mystic Park is one of the city’s designated on-leash pet spots, a small green pocket that’s perfect for a mellow lap, a few deep breaths, and a shade break between errands.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚘 Billings Autoshow 2026 @ Emmanuel Baptist Church | Saturday (6/20) at 7:30 AM – This classic car takeover at Emmanuel Baptist on Shiloh turns the lot into a rolling time capsule, with gleaming chrome, trophies, vendors, and entries at 20 bucks. Spectators are free, so bring dad for the day-before-Father’s-Day tradition, and mom to fact-check his carburetor stories.
🎨 Painting 101 Studies in Gouache: Big Skies! @ Crooked Line Studio | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Whether your last brushwork was a school science fair poster or you’ve been sneaking watercolor sets, Brittney Hernandez will get you loving gouache. Big skies we brag about, bigger clouds, and punchy color, all practiced on index-sized minis. Supplies included, pressure not invited.
🎣 Fishing With Dad @ SCHEELS | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – If you’d rather make Father’s Day memories than reservations, head to Joel’s Pond behind SCHEELS for Fishing With Dad. Kids get a pole, tips from the pros, burgers, hot dogs, and a $20 gift card, plus biggest fish bragging rights, and no license needed.
🐝 Pollinator Fair 2026 @ Pioneer Park | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Whether you can tell a bumble from a carpenter, or just want an easy win with the grandkids, this free, all-ages, hands-on pollinator fair hits Pioneer Park. Games, face painting, a maze, an obstacle course, and food trucks, all themed, no bee suit required.
👑 A Royal Princess Tea Party @ Captain Scurvy's Black Dragon Den | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Treat your household’s reigning monarch to the Montana Renaissance Festival’s Princess Tea Party at Captain Scurvy’s Black Dragon Den. Tea, cookies, crafts, games, and photos, with only 18 seats so every young royal gets attention, tiaras encouraged, parental eye-rolls kept to a minimum.
🎬 Billings: Gary Sinise’s Brothers After War @ AMC CLASSIC Billings 10 | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Settle in for Brothers After War, Gary Sinise’s doc offering a candid, funny look at the road from warfighter to veteran, plus free lunch, free screening, seminar, and a journal you might actually use. For service members, vets, first responders, and families.
💦 Summer Splash @ Church For The City | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – Whether you’re dodging triple-digit temps or just need the kids ricocheting off inflatables instead of your walls, Summer Splash has you covered. Church For The City is rolling out water games, giveaways, and free fun for the whole crew. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Billings report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 17%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 4pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 82, with temperatures falling to around 80 in the afternoon. West northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 17%
A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 81, with temperatures falling to around 78 in the afternoon. Northwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. North northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildSet in The Waters, one of Billings’ premier gated communities, this home pairs polished craftsmanship with a crisp modern edge. Stained rift white oak cabinetry, solid-surface counters, and carefully chosen lighting set the tone, while the kitchen steals the spotlight with Taj Mahal quartzite and a Thermador 48-inch range. The primary suite adds a spa-like soaking tub, tiled shower, and roomy walk-in closet.
Take a peek inside → |
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