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Hello Wausau! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Big Bull Falls Blues Fest lineup, Pink Moon night hike, and Alice in Dairyland finalists + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

📰 In the news

Electrifying blues on tap: Big Bull Falls Blues Fest in Wausau unveiled the 2026 lineup and will celebrate 35 years August 21 and 22. Look for Ana Popovic, Devon Allman Project. Tickets available now — see ticket options and lineup.

Boosting incident response communications: Marathon County Sheriff’s Office trained at Dells of the Eau Claire County Park, testing a trailer used for Vice President JD Vance’s visit and planned for July’s Farm Tech Days — get details on training and tech.

Wisconsin agriculture ambassador search: Six Alice in Dairyland finalists were introduced in Weston. Marathon County will host the finals for first time since 1985, following tours and interviews ahead of a May 16 event — see what’s ahead for finalists.

Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for. Check it out here →

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Draw Thunderfoot, MCPL’s life-sized triceratops
• Hike the gardens under the Pink Moon
• Donate blood and save lives
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Fresh eyes, local art: Four gallery spaces, rotating exhibits, and a juried shop make Center for the Visual Arts an easy midweek pick-me-up—wander in, get inspired, maybe find a piece that insists on coming home with you. Consider it creative cross-training for the rest of your week.

For a calm reset: When your week needs a gentle pause, Johanna May’s Fine Teas in Weston pours more than 50 loose-leaf options in a relaxed, elegant tearoom—plus simple bites like sandwiches and salads that play nice with a pot. Treat yourself to a quiet hour and refill your cup.

Big-stage nights await: If your week needs a live-music jolt, The Grand Theater keeps a steady stream of touring acts, tributes, and nostalgic favorites rolling through town—comfy seats, great sightlines, and that “wow, Wausau” feeling when the house lights drop. Treat yourself to a midweek show.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

Own a piece of Apple for less than a coffee: Every time you buy something from Amazon or Starbucks, you’re putting money in their pocket. Fractional shares flip that: you can own a slice of those companies for as little as a dollar. Most investing apps make it incredibly easy, with zero commissions and no account minimums. See which ones we recommend →

Mom says she’s fine. You’re not so sure: “What if something happens when you’re home alone?” You’ve asked a hundred times, but the outcome’s always the same. I don’t need that. Life Alert’s for old people. The real struggle isn’t finding a medical alert system that’ll work… it’s finding one she won’t fight you on. We looked into five options designed to settle the standoff, from smartwatches to systems with nothing to wear at all. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Your shampoo was never going to fix it: I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on hair-loss products, biotin, masks, sprays, you name it. Not one of them lasted. Turns out, most things target the strand, not the follicle (where thinning actually happens). Dermatologists have been prescribing treatments that work for years, but there are now plenty of options available with no office visits required. See our top picks for men and women →

Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

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

👶 Red Cross Babysitters Course @ Northcentral Technical College | Saturday (3/21) at 8:00 AM – If your 11 to 15-year-old bosses their siblings, upgrade them with Red Cross babysitter certification. They will learn infant care, first aid, behavior tips, and emergency basics, then come home employable. Bring a baby doll, blanket, pencils, lunch, and drinks. $71, register: https://www.ntc.edu/academics-training/courses/emergency-medical-services/babysitting-certification/spring-2026/pd034

🎳 WDSD Fashion Show, Dance, & Bowling Celebration @ Wausau Elks Lodge #248 | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Whether you’ve cheered these stars or you’re due for feel-good fun, this third annual WDSD bash brings local boutique looks on the runway, a 3-2-1 blast off dance, and refreshments, zero pretense. Bowling at the Elks is reserved for immediate participant families. Register at gigisplayhouse.org/wausau/blog.

🍬 Jelly Bean Bowl Kids Event @ Clay Corner Studio | Sunday (3/22) at 12:00 PM – Need a break from plastic grass and sugar crashes? Kids get an Easter pottery session to paint a bowl, eggs outside, fingerprint jelly beans inside, supplies and firing included. Parents can join or drop off, $25 a kid, limited spots, pick up in six days.

📖 Tales for Tots @ Marathon County Public Library – Wausau Headquarters | Monday (3/23) at 10:00 AM – Tales for Tots is the Wausau library’s trusty storytime, where librarians handle the voices while your toddler handles the wiggles, songs, and smiles. You get adult conversation and a few hot sips of coffee, they get new words and an early nap.

🎻 Community Monday for Wausau Schools Orchestra @ Milwaukee Burger Company – Wausau | Monday (3/23) at 4:00 PM – Make your Monday dinner count and eat for a cause. Order your burger, some curds, and a round, and 10% of your food and drink goes to the Wausau Schools Orchestra. It’s the rare concert where chewing is encouraged, applause optional, generosity highly recommended.

🐢 Hare & Tortoise @ Grand Theater Wausau | Tuesday (3/24) at 10:00 AM – Round up the K-4 crowd for a charming Hare and Tortoise showdown that makes patience look heroic. Tutti Frutti brings live music, catchy songs, and big laughs as the seasons roll by, and your sugar-fueled sprinter learns why slow, steady, and kind actually wins.

🏳 LGBTQ+ Game Night @ OUTLoud Inc, Marathon County LGBTQ Center | Wednesday (3/25) at 6:00 PM – Bring your crew to a family-friendly LGBTQ+ game night where board games, card decks, and classic party picks keep the vibe easy, inclusive, and low stress. Allies welcome, seasoned gamers or curious rookies, so roll dice, not your eyes, and bring your favorite to share.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Wausau report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 38°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 17%

A slight chance of snow before 7am, then a slight chance of freezing drizzle between 7am and 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 46°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 48%

A chance of rain before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. North northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

This house is wild

Extensively renovated in Wausau’s East Hill, this 4-bed, 2.5-bath, 2,212-sq-ft home sits minutes from downtown, Stewart Park, and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. A redesigned kitchen showcases new cabinetry, countertops, and appliances. New LVP and carpet, updated baths, windows, modernized electrical, and vinyl siding shine. Partial Rib Mountain views and an attached 2-car garage complete the .21-acre lot.

Take a peek inside →