Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Might get a little icy
This week, we're nearly at the final chapter of the year-and-a-half long saga of "what to do with the Delbridge taxidermy collection." You'll also find the latest from Pierre, a round-up of local events and a story about a nonprofit working to make sure no mom is facing miscarriage in isolation.
And now, news:
CITY
Why you can't say goodbye to the taxidermy before it goes to college
Simplified: A collection of about 150 taxidermy specimen that's been well-loved by Sioux Fallsians for decades has been saved from disposal. Now, it's a City Council vote away from heading off to the University of Notre Dame – all with full support from the family whose patriarch donated the collection to the city 40 years ago.
Why it matters
- The Great Plains Zoo closed the museum to the public back in August 2023 after testing revealed arsenic in about 80% of the mounts. At the time, the city announced it would dispose of the specimen.
- After immediate backlash from the community, the city instead decided to form a task force to determine the collection's future. That task force ultimately opened a formal process for anyone across the country to express interest in taking on the necessary repairs and costs to display the specimen.
- Zoo CEO Becky Dewitz said she "actively reached out to several – at least five – institutions" to see if there was any interest among South Dakota or regional organizations. None ultimately submitted a letter of interest, and the task force last month recommended the bulk of the collection be given to the University of Notre Dame for display in the campus's Museum of Biodiversity.
- City Councilors on Tuesday asked if it'd be possible to open the collection to the public one last time before it goes away, but City Attorney Dave Pfeifle said it's a no go.
"The zoo doesn't have the qualified personnel and the proper PPE (personal protective equipment), etc. to make that happen," Pfeifle said.
Wait, so the family is on board?
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
This brunch supports women who've experienced miscarriage
This is a sponsored piece from Evermore Blooms.
Simplified: A Sioux Falls-based nonprofit is bringing women from across the country together next month to support women who've experienced miscarriage. Here's what you need to know about Evermore Blooms' Brunch & Blooms event.
Why it matters
- Evermore Blooms was founded in 2020 with a small grant and a plan to send as many anonymous bouquets of flowers to miscarriage local moms as they could. Today, the organization has expanded nationwide, sending almost 900 bouquets to women in 49 different states and are on track to exceed 1,000 this year.
- Brunch & Blooms started in 2021 as a small group of women getting together and is now the primary fundraiser to support the organization. This year's event will take place March 22 at the Atrium at Blue Haven.
- Founder Chelsey Schnell described the event as a chance to gather alongside women in a safe space where they can feel spoiled, enjoy a ladies’ day of good food and shopping, all while remembering and celebrating babies in heaven.
"It honestly feels holy," she said. "There's just such a great environment and atmosphere."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- 'Baseless and inaccurate.' It's what Lutheran Social Services President and CEO Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen called Elon Musk's claim that organizations like LSS have illegally received federal funding.
- "Our work is carried out through legally awarded contracts and grants with local, state, and federal agencies that have entrusted us with these essential services," she wrote in a statement. "We are deeply concerned by any effort to misrepresent our work and jeopardize the funding that enables us to fulfill our mission."
- South Dakota News Watch has a little more context for you here.
SODAK SIMPLIFIED
Three and a half things from Pierre:
- Library funding on the chopping block. A bill that would provide significant cuts to the state library – with ripple effects for libraries across the state – is up for its first hearing in the House Education Committee Wednesday morning. You can read the full bill text here. Siouxland Libraries posted an Instagram story Tuesday night stating that the proposed cuts would "significantly impact services for 90% of residents across the state."
- More school-related stuff to watch. Because public schools make up such a significant portion of the state's budget, it makes sense that lawmakers spend a lot of time talking about rules that govern schools. Last week, lawmakers advanced bills that would let kids drop out at a younger age and require schools to allow chaplains.
- Want a deeper dive into education-related bills? Kelo has a great write-up breaking down a number of bills that would affect how schools handle discussions about gender to requiring school board members to list political parties in elections.
- No free boob checks. Lawmakers shot down a bill that would have eliminated the out-of-pocket expense for breast cancer screenings – something that's available in dozens of other states.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Feb. 5-11
- Eat sandwiches. Burger month is over. We're doing sandwiches now. The second annual Southside Slamwich is on with some sandwiches that give the unhinged-ness of the downtown burger battle a run for its money. Check out the competitors here.
- Catch some local music. Orion Pub is hosting original, local music from Thought Patrol and Elsa Rae with special guest Jon Bakken. The show starts at 7 p.m. Friday, and there's a $5 cover. More details here.
- Party for pups. Sioux Empire Pit Rescue is hosting its annual "Corks and Collars" event Saturday night with a Casino Royale theme. Snag your tickets here.
- Catch some local theater. Good Night Theatre Collective is presenting "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," a musical comedy about grade schoolers taking on the ultimate spelling test. Shows run Thursday through Saturday, and you can get your S-E-A-T-S here.
- Hang out with raptors. The Outdoor Campus is hosting a "Raptor Rendezvous" event Friday evening where you can see live birds in a presentation by Tanya McCarlson, a South Dakota licensed Falconer and leader of the F.A.R.E. Group. Register here.
- Get a little hair of the dog. Sample an unlimited amount of bloody marys on Saturday at Bloody Mary Fest at the Washington Pavilion. Tickets are available for both the 10 a.m. event and the afternoon round at 1:30 p.m. More details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
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