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Hey Black Hills, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A custom Harley giveaway, a mysterious gold claim, and new AI degrees + 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 custom cruiser shines: Gas Monkey Garage’s custom Harley-Davidson Low Rider S will be given away at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, with the winner announced live at Gas Monkey SturgIS on August 13 -- read the full story.
A mysterious gold claim: A sandstone slab found on Lookout Mountain in 1887 by Louis and Ivan Thoen claimed gold was discovered in 1833, decades before Custer’s 1874 expedition, a puzzle skeptics never settled -- read the full story.
New academic pathways ahead: South Dakota’s Board of Regents approved four AI degrees, including a doctorate at Dakota State and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral AI engineering at South Dakota State, boosting statewide training -- 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.
Closet upgrade, anyone?: Wear It Again Sam keeps Rapid City styled with on-trend consignment for every age and gender, from everyday layers to bags, shoes, jewelry, scarves and hats. Expect top-quality labels like Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs, plus those cult-fave Capri Blue Volcano candles.
Historic sips, local bites: Set in Rapid City’s original fire station, Firehouse Brewing Company pours South Dakota’s oldest craft beers with a rotating lineup worth flight-testing, then backs it up with classic American plates and in-house smoked BBQ that hits the weeknight comfort spot.
Fossils in your backyard: Whether you geek out over dinosaurs, gleaming agates, or space rocks, Museum at Black Hills Institute packs more than 1,300 fossils, 150 research quality replicas, and 1,000 minerals and meteorites into an unfussy space locals love. Say hi to Stan the T. rex replica and wander the ever growing collection.
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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.
🎤 Johnny Hastings Live @ 707 Nightlife (Rapid City) | Tuesday (8/4) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats free Tuesday live music, especially when it is Johnny Hastings, one of the Black Hills’ best, at 707 Sports Bar. Summer series perks include $3.50 Tito’s, tunes, and a crowd that listens. Easy in, easy out, home before the porch light kicks on.
🎶 Ruthie Craft and Devon Sants @ Shipwrecks Bar & Grill (Rapid City) | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:00 PM – Claim a barstool at Shipwrecks while Ruthie Craft and Devon Sants handle the soundtrack. It is a free show, so your wallet can relax while you nurse a proper pour, swap neighborhood gossip, and remember why live music beats your streaming playlist.
📚 Storytime Adventures @ Main Street Square (Rapid City) | Thursday (8/6) at 11:00 AM – Think kids or grandkids can sit still longer than a squirrel? Summer Storytime returns to Main Street Square with tales, doodles, and prizes, thanks to Mitzi’s Books and friends. Swing by Tuesdays for Splash Labs, because science, squeals, and an ice cream bribe pair beautifully.
🎸 The ShotGunBillys @ Kickstands Campground (Sturgis) | Thursday (8/6) at 4:00 PM – Whether you grew up on Skynyrd or just like your riffs with a little road grit, The ShotGunBillys hit Kickstands Sturgis with Memphis blues, Arkansas twang, and zero cover. A tight, early evening set, perfect pre-rally fuel, and easy on the wallet.
🎸 Mark Mackay @ Cohort Craft Brewery (Hill City) | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – Patio weather calls for live music, so Cohort Brewery in Hill City is throwing a Party at the Pavilion with Nashville’s Mark Mackay. Free entry, and a $5 raffle could land you $500, a meet and greet, and swag, better than mowing the lawn.
🧘 Free QiGong and Tai Chi @ Wilderness Park (Rapid City) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Free tai chi by the creek at Wilderness Park beats another rushed Saturday. Rapid City Tai Chi leads qigong, standing meditation, and slow, steady forms, all at a human pace. Your knees will gossip, your mind will hush, and the creek does the rushing.
🃏 Playmakers Pokémon TCG Play Session Open Play @ Playmakers Sports Cards, Memorabilia & Gaming (Rapid City) | Sunday (8/9) at 1:00 PM – Casual 1v1 Pokémon TCG open play, free entry, promo packs for flair, and a tidy 32-player cap. Low pressure, high nostalgia, and surprisingly strategic, like chess that evolved, with cuter artwork, and occasional bragging rights.
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 — Black Hills report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 7%
Mostly sunny. High near 75, with temperatures falling to around 73 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 3 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 82°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 10%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 2 to 7 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. This house is wildThis 6,000-plus-square-foot luxury home on 1.6 wooded acres delivers serious wow factor in Rapid City’s Westview Estates. Soaring ceilings, walls of windows, a chef-inspired kitchen, and a primary suite with fireplace and spa bath headline the main level. The walkout lower level adds a wet bar, family room, and an impressive indoor sport court.
Take a peek inside → |
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