🌱 All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Program + Online Tool For Election

Hey, everybody. Lauren Kubiak here with your fresh copy of the Billings Patch newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Rather cloudy and cooler. High: 58 Low: 35.
• Thursday: Cloudy, a shower; chilly. High: 40 Low: 28.

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Here are the top three stories in Billings today:

1. HDR, an engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction firm, will launch the All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Program in Highland and Laurel elementary schools, teaching every child how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class. The program includes a bike reveal, an introduction to the Learn-To-Ride Program, and a presentation with information from school staff and HDR representatives. The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Program, which has already launched in over 800 schools across all 50 states, offers an inclusive, proven Learn-To-Ride curriculum that provides every child the chance to experience the joy of two wheels. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)
2. The League of Women Voters of Billings is providing Yellowstone County voters with a nonpartisan election resource called VOTE411.org. The website offers personalized candidate information, voter registration details, and other helpful election information to help voters navigate the voting process. VOTE411 helps millions of voters, especially young people and first-time voters, learn about what’s on their ballot, where candidates stand on the issues, and how to find their polling place. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)
3. Brian Laird is being tried in Yellowstone County for the death of his wife, Kathryn Laird, after his initial conviction was overturned by the Montana Supreme Court in 2016. The prosecution argued during the opening statements that the evidence still points to Laird being at fault, with witnesses testifying to an altercation between the couple the night before Kathryn was found dead in 1999. The bench trial is expected to last the entire week. (KULR-TV)

Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Wednesday, April 12

• Council Legislative Committee Meeting At City Hall Conference Room (4:00 PM)
• Keep Flying At The Pub Station Taproom (8:00 PM)

Thursday, April 13

• Startup Roadmap At Zoot Training And Event Space (1:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Billings’ own Trina White of Billings & Beyond took the No. 5 spot for best Yelp-reviewed real estate agencies in Montana, according to a new NeighborWho study. Visit the link for the full list of top-rated real estate agencies in Montana and across the U.S. (NeighborWho)
• Madison Martinez, 22, started her business, Egg My Yard, six years ago when she needed money to attend a concert with her best friend. This year, the business hid around 10,000 Easter eggs filled with candy from Billings to Huntley and offered different packages for clients to choose from. Martinez said she starts preparing for the business the day after Easter ends and takes orders exactly a month out from the holiday. (Q2 News)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Billings area! Get all the property details at the link. (Billings Patch)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with another update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.