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Hey Minot, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A 100-year open house, space camp, and free nachos + lots of fun things to do for free.
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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A century of service: Thomas Family Funeral Home will celebrate 100 years with an open house Aug. 12, 4 to 7 p.m., featuring free food, tours, exhibits and a proclamation from Mayor Mark Jantzer -- read the full story.
Utility rates under scrutiny: North Dakota regulators are considering MDU’s 14.5 percent rate hike and an interim increase that could add $12.90 a month for a typical home, while fielding questions about data centers -- see the rate case details.
Fuel costs keep climbing: As of July 29, North Dakota gas averaged $3.91, up 40 cents in two weeks. Western counties topped $4. Diesel climbed. War-driven crude swings keep prices uncertain for Minot drivers -- read the full story.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf 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.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Fresh bakes, local love: When a snack run turns into a little victory, Minot's Daily Bread delivers with buttery chocolate croissants, crumbly pecan sandies, and fresh breads that change up. Swing by this week for a quick pick-me-up or an easy lunch that tastes like someone actually cares.
Weekend glow-up alert: Whether you’re headed to a wedding, photos, or just treating yourself, Flawless Glam by Gabby brings pro-level makeup that reads clean in daylight and pops in pictures. Think natural-but-better or full glam, all shaped to your vibe so you feel like you, just elevated.
All aboard, Minot: Rediscover why this town exists in the first place at Railroad Museum of Minot. Explore historic cabooses, railroad artifacts, photographs, and model trains, and get the full story of how the Great Northern and Soo Line turned Minot into a rail hub worth bragging about.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
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 Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌮 FREE Nachos! @ Blue Rider | Thursday (8/6) at 4:00 PM – Thursday nights at the Blue mean free nachos, stiff drinks, live tunes, and the kind of good times you pretend you just stumbled into. No luchador mask required, but come ready to grapple. Orphan chips find a home, and refills happen.
🎶 Raynes & Liam Keeney @ Citizens Alley | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Raynes and Liam Keeney plug into the Levitt AMP Minot series at Citizens Alley, a free, all-ages Thursday night staple. Expect downtown tunes, local vendors, food and beverages, and prime people-watching, where lawn chairs, kids, and neighborly small talk feel downright deluxe. Even curmudgeons smile.
🩸 12th Annual Nathan Artz Memorial Blood Drive @ St. Therese, Church of the Little Flower | Friday (8/7) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign, here it is. At Little Flower, the 12th Annual Nathan Artz Memorial Blood Drive honors Nathan with lifesaving donations and a food collection for pantry staples, helping neighbors close to home. Walk-ins work, appointments keep it smooth.
🚀 Space Camp @ Dakota Territory Air Museum | Tuesday (8/11) at 9:00 AM – Launch your 3rd to 5th graders into Space Camp, a free, hands-on tour of America’s space story, from Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo to Space Shuttle, and Artemis. They will build, tinker, and talk rockets, you get bragging rights, and maybe a quiet evening.
🎶 Emmy Woods and more @ Citizens Alley | Thursday (8/20) at 5:00 PM – Citizens Alley is serving up a summer soundtrack with Emmy Woods, the Red Pine Ramblers, and Lila Bea, free and outdoors like nature intended. Expect local vendors, cold drinks, and family-friendly chaos, so bring a lawn chair, your neighbor, and your best small-talk.
🧘 Yoga in the Park @ Oak Park | Friday (8/21) at 7:00 PM – Roll out your mat at Oak Park for free Yoga in the Park, open to all ages and abilities, where the vibe is neighborly and the shade is courtesy of oaks. Bend, breathe, and pretend you’re not people-watching, call it wellness and head for coffee.
🧺 Picnic In The Park @ Polaris Park | Wednesday (8/26) at 6:30 PM – Grab a blanket and hit the park for a low-key community picnic, potluck style. Bring something to share and an appetite, we will trade recipes, gently judge potato salad, agree store-bought counts, and catch up while the kids roam and the grown-ups chase shade.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Minot report Weather forecastToday — High: 74°F — Low: 51°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny. High near 74, with temperatures falling to around 72 in the afternoon. West wind 12 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. West wind 3 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. West wind 6 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. This house is wildThis over 3,800-square-foot home pairs bright, open living with standout golf course views. Large windows fill the spacious kitchen, dining room, and cozy gas-fireplace living room with natural light. The primary suite brings a walk-in closet and double vanity, while the walk-out basement adds a huge family room, oversized bedrooms, and loads of storage.
Take a peek inside → |
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