Hello Bismarck! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Massive AI factory, kids summer stage, and classic car show + 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.
Track repairs move forward: Mandan School Board approved $72,000 to repair cracked track surface at Starion Sports Complex, using a joint district and Park District maintenance fund. About 1,200 feet will be repainted -- check the track repair plan.
A new system shift: Bismarck-area families can expect North Dakota schools will switch from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus before school starts, with easier access to grades and attendance and districts anticipating cost savings -- see the school switch details.
New industrial project ahead: Montana-Dakota Utilities announced Monday a power agreement with Applied Digital for a proposed AI factory near Center needing 430 megawatts, with 200 jobs expected when operations begin in August 2027 -- explore the AI factory plan.
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.
Turn it up right: Tired of tinny TV speakers and Bluetooth drama, Bismarck? CAVES Bismarck helps dial in crisp home audio, smarter controls, and clean installs so movie nights, game days, and backyard hangs actually sound awesome. Give your place a glow up your ears will notice.
Easy weekend win: Sneak in some low-stress outdoor time at Optimist Family Park, where you can shoot hoops, bump a quick sand volleyball game, or channel that inner horseshoe ringer, then let the kids tackle two playgrounds and claim a picnic shelter. Simple, nearby, exactly what this week needs.
Windbreaks that work: If your yard needs privacy or protection from that prairie breeze, Tree Rows 4 U grows North Dakota hardy trees, shrubs, and fruit varieties, plus guidance from folks with 25+ years in our climate. Locally owned, residential and commercial, and ready to help you plant smarter this season.
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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.
🎭 Kids Summer Stage @ Custer Park | Wednesday (6/24) at 12:00 PM – Summer Wednesdays at Custer Park turn into a free, kid-sized variety show, courtesy of Dakota West Arts Council and friends. Pack a lunch, park the expectations, and enjoy one-hour bursts of music, dance, science, and noise while you claim some shade, sanity, and small-town charm.
🦋 Connect Inspire Conserve: Monarchs @ Dakota Zoo | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Trade your yard chores for monarch duty at the Dakota Zoo, where you will learn caterpillar care, get the scoop on Monarch Watch, and pitch in with hands-on community science. It is free, all ages, and far more satisfying than reorganizing the garage.
🧺 Annual CPABLE Picnic @ Wachter Park | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to lounge at Wachter Park and call it community service, the Annual CPABLE Picnic delivers. Good food, music, family-friendly games, a silent auction, plus duck and elk raffles, all backing fuller, more independent lives for neighbors with disabilities.
🎬 Starlight Cinema Series @ Edgewood Mandan at Lakewood | Thursday (6/25) at 9:00 PM – Take a breather from the sofa rut and settle in for an outdoor movie under the stars, blanket and favorite beverage in tow, popcorn provided. It’s summer done right, like your living room with better stargazing, friendlier neighbors, and fewer crumbs to vacuum.
🚗 Clark's Cruise-In Classic Car Show @ Bismarck Municipal Ballpark | Friday (6/26) at 6:05 PM – America250 weekend calls for chrome, peanuts, and a seventh-inning stretch. Clark’s Cruise-In brings the ballpark’s first classic car show, with vintage rides, a proper ballgame, fireworks, and pure Americana, like a Norman Rockwell painting with better parking.
🍦 Little Kids, Big World: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream! @ North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum | Saturday (6/27) at 10:15 AM – Introduce your tiny historian to Little Kids, Big World at the Heritage Center, a free 30-minute spin through ice cream history, capped with a dignified paper-cone craft. Bring your toddler or preschooler to the west entrance desk, and if you miss Saturday, Monday repeats.
🎖 Bismarck Larks America250 & Military Appreciation Night @ Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field | Saturday (6/27) at 6:00 PM – Up for saluting and yelling at an ump in the same night? The Larks roll America’s 250th into Military Appreciation with in-game tributes, patriotic fanfare, and a painted-bat auction benefiting a local charity, aka baseball, gratitude, and red, white, and blue done right.
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 Bismarck report Weather forecastToday — High: 71°F — Low: 49°F — Precip: 9%
Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind 1 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 74°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 1 to 8 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis 6-bedroom, 3-bath walk-out in Elk Ridge pairs 3,600 square feet of polished living with dramatic valley views from a private cul-de-sac. Vaulted ceilings, quartz counters, custom tile, and a gas range elevate the open-concept main floor, while the finished lower level, oversized 4-car garage, and maintenance-free deck add serious style and function.
Take a peek inside → |
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