Hello Billings! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Severe storm threat, wood-fired pizza with puppies, and sensory friendly screening + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
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 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Big stage, tough competition: Billings’ Montana East Blue debate team placed top 32 of 197 at NSDA nationals in Richmond. Coached by Skyview’s Catherine Wetmore, they tackled topics from NIL to whistleblowing justifications -- meet the debate team.
Active weather pattern ahead: Billings area could see strong to severe storms midweek, with half-dollar hail, 60 mph gusts, and heavy rain causing flooding. Weekend turns cooler and damp as a disturbance moves in -- see what’s expected next.
Shared-road safety tips: As e-bikes and scooters grow in Billings, officials urge riders to follow bicycle traffic laws and know where to ride, arguing shared awareness can reduce conflicts with drivers and pedestrians -- see the road safety tips.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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.*
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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 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Backyard glow up, anyone? Billings Nursery & Landscaping is the family-owned spot that walks you through the whole project, from design to delivery and installation, with lighting, hardscape, aquascape, and a serious stone yard. Ready to kick off a yard glow up this week you’ll actually brag about all summer?
Breathe by the river: When you need a low-effort reset, Riverfront Park delivers calm paths, shady hangouts, and picnic spots right along the Yellowstone, perfect for a quick solo lap or corralling the crew for sunset. Bonus points if you remember bug spray and a frisbee.
Level up your week: Whether the kids need to run wild or your inner 12-year-old does, The Cove Arcade and Laser Tag Center at Big Horn Resort has a laser tag arena, a pile of arcade games, and snacks and cocktails to boot. Quick, easy fun that saves your living room from another Nerf war.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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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 →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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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 Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌌 Evening Exploration 2026 @ Montana Audubon Center | Wednesday (6/24) at 4:00 PM – Nothing beats an evening wander when the seasons are changing outfits again. Bring the crew to the Center to explore ponds and wildlife, borrow binoculars, nets, and field guides, quiz a naturalist, or canoe at sunset, free to attend with $10 rentals for nonmembers.
🎨 Paint and Plant @ Asylum Distillery | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:00 PM – Paint night meets garden therapy as you decorate a 6-inch terracotta pot, then plant it. They supply the pot, soil, and flowers, you bring $40 at check-in with cash, check, Venmo, or tap pay, because souvenirs that grow beat junk-drawer clutter.
🔥 Wood-fired & Wags @ Red Oxx Manufacturing Inc | Thursday (6/25) at 5:00 PM – Whether you’re here for blistered crust or wagging tails, expect wood-fired pizza, puppies, and a little purpose in one tidy package. Stretchy pants required, soft spot encouraged, because nothing pairs with a slice like puppy breath and neighborly chatter.
🎞 Little Bighorn Film Festival 2026 @ Art House Cinema & Pub | Thursday (6/25) at 7:30 PM – A three-day film festival at ArtHouse Billings marks the 150th of Little Bighorn, centering Cheyenne, Lakota, and Arapaho voices through documentaries, shorts, and features. Think history class with popcorn, no pop quizzes. Montana ties and nearby battlefield events keep it grounded.
🧵 The Billings Artisan Assembly @ Pioneer Park | Friday (6/26) at 8:00 AM – Think of it as the only assembly you actually want to attend, a craft fest where Billings makers show off the good stuff. Expect one-of-a-kind art, easygoing crowds, and conversation you can hear. No big-box trinkets, just real work from real people.
🎬 Sensory Friendly Screening @ AMC Shiloh 14 | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – AMC Shiloh 14 keeps the lights up, the sound down, and the vibe relaxed. Finally, a theater that knows volume is not a personality. Sensory friendly for autistic viewers, sensory sensitive folks, and their families, it is part of a roster of welcoming local events.
⚾ Idaho Falls Chukars @ Dehler Park | Tuesday (6/30) at 5:59 PM – Baseball weather calls for a night with the hometown Mustangs taking on the Idaho Falls Chukars. Expect crack-of-the-bat nostalgia, a few creative ump calls, and hot dogs that taste better than they should. Bring your inside voice, and a glove.
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 — The Billings report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 4%
Partly sunny, with a high near 76. East northeast wind 5 to 13 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East northeast wind 7 to 13 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 49%
A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. East northeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis updated contemporary home pairs bold design with panoramic mountain views and a prime spot near the iconic Rims. Soaring 18-foot ceilings and walls of glass brighten the open main level, while the gourmet kitchen and elevated dining area keep things stylish. Multiple decks, a manicured yard, and a daylight lower level with a steam shower add extra appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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