Your week, simplified: Sept. 11, 2024
Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Warm, maybe a little smoky
Status check: Coming back from Chicago, I've got a ton of new ideas for how to make Sioux Falls Simplified a better – and more sustainable – local news outlet. But first, I'm going to need your feedback. Would you be willing to take this short survey to let me know a little bit about you and your information needs?
- If you fill out the survey, you'll be entered to win a SF Simplified tote bag and a $25 gift card to the local coffee shop of your choice – because it's cool to support local news AND local businesses. 🫶
This week, hold onto your hat – it's a newsy one. I've got a look at a few last-minute changes to the city's 2025 budget – including some readjustments to the Riverline District next steps and $300,000 to curb panhandling. You'll also meet some impressive young folks with big career ambitions, learn how you can win a staycation at the Steel District and find a bunch of Super Simplified Stories covering everything from county drama to school enrollment numbers. Oh, and don't miss the event guide!
And now, news:
CITY
How last-minute budget additions will combat panhandling
Simplified: Two last-minute amendments to the City of Sioux Falls' 2025 budget will bring a total of $300,000 to support efforts to combat "nuisance issues" in Sioux Falls – with strong implication from officials that those issues refer to homelessness and panhandling.
Why it matters
- The word "panhandling" was never explicitly stated during Tuesday night's City Council meeting, but Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum strongly implied that the "nuisance issues" happening both downtown and citywide were related to unhoused individuals and folks who are asking for money at street corners.
- Councilor Ryan Spellerberg brought two separate amendments Tuesday night – both of which passed unanimously and with minimal council discussion. One allocated $150,000 for a marketing campaign to encourage the public to donate to charities rather than to panhandlers.
- Another amendment allocated $150,000 to expand Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc.'s ambassador program – people who walk around downtown in bright red shirts to do everything from pick up trash to " monitoring and reporting issues that may require a police presence," President and CEO Joe Batcheller told councilors.
"If you’ve been downtown you’ve seen (the ambassadors) engaging with the public, keeping downtown Sioux Falls beautiful but also working on some of the nuisance issues we’ve experienced this year," Thum said, adding that the goal of the ambassadors is to create a "welcoming visitor experience."
Tell me more about the budget amendments
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Meet your future workforce and their influencers
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
Simplified: The next generation of workers is coming in with clear goals, industry-specific experience and a desire to work in a place that gives them a sense of purpose. Meet the Sioux Falls young adults who will be sharing what they want employers to know at the WIN in Workforce Summit later this month.
Why it matters
- Several high school and college students will participate in the seventh annual WIN in Workforce Summit hosted by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The summit kicks off the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
- The first scheduled talk for the summit is titled "Meet Your Future Workforce and Their Influencers," in which these young adults will discuss their career aspirations and share what they're looking for in future employers.
- The panel will also feature South Dakota State University Men’s Basketball Coach Eric Henderson and Augustana University’s Head Football Coach Jerry Olszewski. Both men will share their perspectives and their takeaways of what they’ve seen the next generation looking for in a workplace/employer from their position as coaches.
- Largely, the next generation is looking for more than just punching a clock and collecting a paycheck. Roosevelt High School senior Sha'Vell O'Dell, for example, wants to become a respiratory therapist and work in a place that treats its employees as well as its patients.
"Having empathy for your workers makes it easier for people to come to work and feel safe there," O'Dell said. "They feel able to take the next steps (in their career) and safe to have tough conversations with employers."
What's unique about this generation?
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Council gives green light to buying Riverline land. The City Council on Tuesday approved spending $8.1 million to acquire a little over seven acres of land east of downtown known as the Riverline District – the site where Mayor Paul TenHaken said he wants to see a new convention center.
- The land isn't officially purchased, though. That decision will come from a brand new, eight-person committee that will come together at the discretion of the council and TenHaken.
- How many kids are in Sioux Falls schools? The preliminary count for this year is 24,335 – which is 71 fewer kids than last school year. It's a continuation of a leveling off in enrollment that the district has seen coming. Though the population of Sioux Falls is growing, much of that growth is happening on the outskirts of town, which typically fall into different districts.
- Overall, the Sioux Falls School district saw a decrease of 127 kindergarteners, and relatively flat enrollment numbers across the board.
- County drama. Minnehaha County Commissioner Joe Kippley called on County Auditor Leah Anderson to resign on Tuesday after a tense exchange in which Kippley called her the "auditor who cried wolf" referring to her questioning the 2020 election outcome. Anderson said she would not resign. The Dakota Scout has the full story, and KELO has the video.
- Live & Local lineup. The Washington Pavilion has announced the lineup for the next Live & Local series, which will feature entirely local performers. Catch the full lineup here – which includes singers, dancers, actors, comedians, musicians, artists and more – and snag a season pass for $70.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Your apartment search could win you a free staycation (and a beer)
This is a paid piece from Lloyd Companies.
Simplified: More than 30 properties will be available for tours – and special promotions – during Lloyd Companies' Sioux Falls Parade of Apartments on Saturday, Sept. 21. And one lucky winner will get an all-inclusive staycation package at the Steel District.
Why it matters
- The fall Parade of Apartments will open up more than 30 properties for tours without any appointment needed. This event is extra special because it's opening up brand new facilities at the One2 downtown and The Current on the east side.
- This event also lines up with the fall Downtown Sioux Falls Loft Tour – also sponsored by Lloyd Companies – which will give folks an opportunity to tour downtown lofts, including those at the brand new Steel District.
- You can tour properties both in-person and online. Lloyd property managers and leasing agents will be available on-site to answer any questions you have and provide one-on-one support in your search. They'll also be there to share exclusive parade rent specials.
"Almost all of our properties are offering some type of special for the day," Regional Manager Laura Walters said.
Tell me more about the available prizes
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Sept. 11-17
- Chill on a hill. Grab a beer, listen to some live music and enjoy food truck food Wednesday nights this month at Great Bear Ski Valley. Go soak up the views before all of those trees are covered in snow. Details here.
- Find hope through art. Remember our friends at Journey of Hope? You guys helped raise $5,000 for them this summer. 🫶 Now, you can once again support them this week at an art show featuring work from art therapy sessions they've conducted at the Minnehaha County Juvenile Detention Center. The Journey Through Art show will take place 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Underground by Rehfeld's. More details here.
- Support Indigenous artists. It's the third annual Indigenous Artists of the Prairie event this weekend at Good Earth State Park. Find lots of vendors selling their art, as well as live music and food. It's all happening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. (Food trucks only available 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Help shape Sioux Falls' future. The city is looking at how it'll approach growth and change over the next quarter-century, and this is your chance to be a part of it. Learn more background here, and catch the next listening session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Caille Branch Library.
- Laugh a lot. Local improv troupe Improv Falls is back in action this weekend with a "Back in Session" show at Icon Lounge. Enjoy some unscripted comedy for only $20 at the 8 p.m. show Friday night. Tickets here.
- Touch a truck. Check out some big ol' vehicles at the park department's Touch a Truck event Friday evening. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Harmodon Park, and in addition to trucks, there will also be inflatables for kids to enjoy. No registration necessary.
- Mum's the word. If you're up for a drive a bit south of town, you can hit up Mum Fest this weekend at Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch in Yankton. There'll be all sorts of family activities including a five-acre corn maze, princess photo ops, a pumpkin patch, food, live mural painting and, of course, lots of mums for sale. More details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
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