Good morning, Bismarck! In today’s edition: A $199M rural health care boost, Britta Curl-Salemme joins Team USA, a robotics qualifier, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Boosting access and outcomes statewide: North Dakota was awarded $199 million to strengthen rural health care through a five-year Rural Health Transformation Program. Lawmakers must approve the funding before it can be used — get all the details.

Turning miles into community service: April Facer turns her daily commute on Highway 83 into road reports, posting conditions on Facebook to help drivers between Washburn and Bismarck stay safe on the road — read the full story.

Breakthrough moment for standout: Bismarck native Britta Curl-Salemme has been named to the Team USA Olympic roster. Fresh off a world championship gold, she will represent the U.S. on hockey’s biggest stage — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

*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:

• Support Christ the King at trivia night
• Toddlers explore winter through music and movement
• Make puffy paint and playdough snowmen
• Snag limited Wine Passport packets
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 50% off

🫶 We got your back

Support for aspiring students: North Dakota Dollars for Scholars is accepting 2026-27 applications from North Dakota high school seniors and current college students. About $290,000 will be awarded. Graduating seniors in home education programs, and students at schools without local chapters, are eligible to apply. The deadline is April 1, 2026. Get details and application link.

Freshen up your nest: If your living room feels last-season, Spaces has art, lamps, candles, and the finishing touches that actually make a room feel complete, plus friendly designers to pull it together. Consider this your cue to finally retire that “temporary” decor piece.

Craving something crisp: JL Beers Bismarck pours a deep tap list that often includes a hard cider, so your apple-loving side isn’t sidelined while friends chase hops. Easy vibe, quick service, and lively bar chatter make it a relaxed, low-stakes weeknight stop.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

This week

👣 Winter Walk & Talk @ Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library | Tuesday (1/6) at 1:30 PM – Think your step counter can handle winter? Join library folks and Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health for easy laps around the building, swap what you’re reading, watching, and listening to, then thaw with coffee in the Missouri River Room. Free, all ages, sensible shoes, cleats welcome.

🏒 Legacy-Bismarck High School Girls vs. Mandan @ VFW Sports Center | Tuesday (1/6) at 5:00 PM – Hometown hockey at VFW #1 as Legacy-Bismarck takes on Mandan, with the BHB 10U girls skating the lineup and anthem. BHB players in jerseys get in free, which pairs nicely with hot cocoa, proud parents, and yelling offsides like it burns calories.

🕯 2 Blind Mice @ Morton Mandan Public Library | Friday (1/9) at 5:30 PM – MMPL is turning the community room into a concert nook for the final holiday Candlelight Concert, with 2 Blind Mice leading rock, pop, country, and shameless singalongs. Expect hot cider, cookies, battery candles so the sprinklers nap, and Dykshoorn Park lights. Free, 16+, please register.

This weekend

🤖 Dakota FTC 2026 Decode State Qualifier @ Bismarck State College | Saturday (1/10) at 8:00 AM – Trade your weekend errands for cheering at the Bismarck robotics qualifier at BSC’s new Advanced Technology Center. Watch smart kids, nimble bots, and serious teamwork vie for state bragging rights, free to the public. Pop in anytime, bring the family, and feel pleasantly underqualified.

⛄ Little Kids, Big World: Winter Activities @ North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Nothing wears out little ones like 30 minutes of winter-themed wiggles and music. This free session at the North Dakota Heritage Center teams Kindermusik pros from Northern Plains Dance with bite-size North Dakota history, so you get smiles, learning, and maybe a nap.

❄ JFK Bismarck North Winter Show @ Mandan High School | Sunday (1/11) at 1:30 PM – Whether your kid’s on stage or you’re here for kicks, Just For Kix Bismarck North’s Winter Show features preschool through high school dancers in hip-hop, jazz, high kick, and novelty. Multiple showtimes, bleacher bonding, and prices that won’t sting, $8 adults, $6 students and seniors.

🎲 Adult Women’s Social Group – Bingo Night @ The Kid’s Therapy Center, LLC | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Join a free BINGO night for local women, equal parts social, creative, and just-competitive-enough. The Adult Women’s Social Group keeps it relaxed with real conversation, low pressure, and small talk that actually goes somewhere. Open to the public, welcoming vibes, bragging rights, maybe prizes.

Live music & entertainment:

• 1/9 2 Blind Mice @ Morton Mandan Public Library – 5:30 PM
• 1/9 Squid City Slingers @ Laughing Sun Brewing Co. – 8:00 PM
• 1/11 Elbow Room Deep Stack @ The Elbow Room – 10:30 AM
• 1/14 The Choir of Man @ Bismarck Event Center – 7:30 PM
• 1/15 Zach Thomas @ Laughing Sun Brewing Co. – 7:00 PM
• 1/16 Mandan Moose Lodge Monster Stack Series @ Mandan Moose Lodge #425 – 5:30 PM
• 1/16 Tyler Ktytor @ Laughing Sun Brewing – 7:00 PM
• 1/17 Small Business Comedy Dinner @ Sixteen03 – 6:30 PM
• 1/19 Nate Bargatze @ Bismarck Event Center – 7:00 PM
• 1/22 Hypnotist Comedy with Gabriel @ The Jousting Lemur – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Bismarck report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 34°F – Low: 25°F – Precip: 14%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 7 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 1%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind around 8 mph.

This house is wild

Just under 4,000 square feet of remodeled fun, this STAYcation setup layers a heated in-ground pool with automatic cover, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, and gas fire pit into lush landscaping. An open kitchen pairs maple cabinetry and granite, and the dining room opens to a maintenance-free deck. A cozy family room adds custom built-ins, a gas fireplace, and floor to ceiling windows.

Two flexible bonus rooms and main level laundry boost function. The primary suite features a soaking tub, custom tiled shower, and walk-in closet. A finished basement adds a wet bar, second laundry, bedroom, bath, and walk-out. A heated garage, coulee views, trails out back, and no specials round it out.

Take a peek inside →