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Rise and shine, Bismarck! In today’s edition: Vote on the next I Voted sticker, The Choir of Man, Paint Your Pet, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Doubling investment in livability: AARP North Dakota is accepting 2026 Community Challenge grant applications to fund projects that improve public places and transportation for people 50 and older in communities statewide, including Bismarck — get details on eligibility and awards.
Local transit at a crossroads: Bis-Man Transit ended 2025 with about a $700,000 deficit. Bismarck and Mandan approved sales tax funds in December to help cover it. Public comment on 2026 service changes is underway — see what’s planned for 2026.
Design decision goes to voters: North Dakotans can help pick the next “I Voted” sticker, with voting open through January 23 and the winner announced in March ahead of the 2026 Primary Election — see how to participate.
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
Key dates and savings explained: North Dakota’s Primary Residence Credit Program, launched in 2023 and expanded in 2025, opened its application portal on New Year’s Day. More than 55,000 homeowners have already applied for up to $1,600 off property taxes. The deadline is April 1, and some applicants may owe no state property taxes. Get details and key deadlines.
Soup that does good: Soup Cafe is a Bismarck 501(c)(3) serving free homemade soups and sandwiches with a whole lot of dignity, powered by volunteers and donations. Community-driven and welcoming, it offers a warm meal to anyone who walks in.
Brows that behave: Overdue for a tidy-up or curious about a tint? Shree Beauty & Brow Art keeps brows crisp with quick threading, precise shaping, and other low-fuss services. Friendly pros, efficient appointments, and a painless-enough touch… so you look awake, even on a Thursday.
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
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎶 Swing and Sing-Along @ Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library | Monday (1/12) at 10:30 AM – Swing and Sing-Along is taking over the Children’s Library with Kittyko leading the chaos in perfect pitch. Expect wiggly toddlers, catchy tunes, and a master educator who can charm even the shy ones. Bring your coffee, leave with happy, pleasantly exhausted kids.
🐾 Paint Your Pet @ Art From The Heart | Monday (1/12) at 6:30 PM – Bring a photo of your four-legged roommate and turn it into a 16 x 20 canvas masterpiece for $25 per artist. Whether your cat judges or your dog wiggles, you’ll leave with art, pride, and painty fingers. Pre-register online: https://ninabanina13.wixsite.com/artfromtheheart/book-online.
🧘 Yoga Fundamentals: Intro to Yoga @ Transitions Yoga | Wednesday (1/14) at 7:00 PM – Take a breather from the to-do list and try a free, beginner-friendly yoga class that actually explains what your hips are doing. Slow pace, alignment and breath tips, props galore, and zero pretzel pressure. Come as you are, leave taller, calmer, and mildly smug.
🎭 The Choir of Man @ Bismarck Event Center | Wednesday (1/14) at 7:30 PM – Broadway in Bismarck is pouring a round with The Choir of Man, a feel-good pub night disguised as theater. Big voices tackle everything from Guns N’ Roses to Adele, plus a working bar on stage, so you can call it culture, and still toast it.
❄ Winter White Party 2026 @ North Dakota’s Gateway to Science | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – Celebrate 20 years of Tracy’s Sanctuary House with signature cocktails, games, and feel-good stories that deliver. Wear winter white at Gateway to Science, mingle with old friends, and, if you’re big on giving, enjoy VIP champagne social. Because matching the snow is half the fun.
🎤 Zach Thomas @ Laughing Sun Brewing Co. | Thursday (1/15) at 7:00 PM – Take a break from errands and slide into Bismarck’s Laughing Sun Brewing Co. for Zach Thomas and a pint that tastes like you made a good decision. Easygoing live tunes, local beer, and zero pretense. Bring a friend, claim a table, call it quality time.
🎨 Crafty Concrete @ Shenanigans | Friday (1/16) at 5:00 PM – If your inner kid needs a playdate, pick a concrete shape, buy your favorite, and paint away with the rest of us. Open to all ages, zero experience required, just good company, plenty of choices, and a surprisingly satisfying, heavy little souvenir.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Bismarck report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 42°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 44°F – Low: 23°F – Precip: 7%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 12 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
This house is wild
This four bed, three bath ranch-style home sits in Eagle Crest, NW Bismarck, with an open plan and quality finishes. Two main level bedrooms include a primary suite with tiled shower, dual sinks, and walk-in closet. Kitchen, dining, and living connect around an electric fireplace with brick and open beam accents, with stainless appliances, a pantry, and center island close at hand. A mudroom and dedicated laundry sit off the oversized garage.
The finished lower level adds a large family room, two bedrooms with egress, a Jack and Jill bath, and extra storage. Outside is a fenced yard and patio, plus a heated three stall garage with water and a floor drain.
Take a peek inside →
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