Happy Valentine's Day! Megan here.
First things first: This issue is sponsored by EmBe.
- On March 6, EmBe will host the In Her Shoes Empowerment Breakfast, with keynote speaker Dr. Sophie Two Hawk. This is more than an event and fundraiser, it's a call to action for women to step into their power, inspire those who follow, and celebrate the unstoppable force of mothers, daughters, and sisters uplifting one another. Join hundreds of women and spend the morning breaking barriers and uplifting the next generation. Grab your tickets here. For full event details, sponsorship opportunities, and more visit their website.
Weather check: There's a chance we make it above freezing, so, that's decent.
This week, I've got a look at the latest community health assessment (y'all need to stop drinking and driving, ok?). You'll also find a look at recycling rates in our community and statewide. Plus, catch some news from Pierre and my punny Sioux Falls-themed valentines on instagram.
And now, news:
HEALTH
How healthy are Sioux Fallsians? Depends where you live.
Simplified: The City of Sioux Falls this week released a community health assessment showing an updated and comprehensive look at health indicators across the city. Here's a look at some of the key takeaways from the 116-page document.
Why it matters
- The community health assessment is conducted every three years – typically in partnership with major health systems like Sanford, Avera and the VA Medical Center. Health leaders noted this year's data is particularly robust because of multilingual outreach efforts.
- This year's data shows some progress in areas like smoking and syphilis, but overall it's clear that where you live and how much money you make will ultimately determine how healthy you are.
- Health leaders said their key focus areas moving forward are access to care (particularly dental care), adolescent mental health and healthy living. At this point, though, it's just about taking in all of the data that's been gathered and figuring out what to do with it, Public Health Director Joe Kippley said.
"It's going to take a team effort," Kippley said in regards to any solutions or action items moving forward.
Tell me more
COMMUNITY
As Sioux Falls grows, recycling rates drop
Simplified: Sioux Falls residents are putting more stuff in the landfill and less stuff into the recycling bin, according to data from both the City of Sioux Falls and Millennium Recycling.
Why it matters
- A recent report from the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources shared a 5.3% increase statewide in recycled materials, but that trend has failed to materialize locally.
- Millennium Recycling President Shannon Dwire said they've seen an 18% drop in recycling over the past decade – during which the five-county area saw a 17% increase in population. So, essentially, more people are creating more waste.
- That's led to a 40% increase in landfill waste over the same time frame.
- The reasons for the drop are multi-faceted, Dwire noted, but one factor is the lack of business participation in recycling programs, as well as the lack of city enforcement of its recycling ordinance.
"We know a significant amount of recyclable material is still ending up in the landfill," Dwire said. "If we want to extend the life of our landfill and keep valuable resources in use, we need to get more materials into the recycling system."
How can I help?
SODAK SIMPLIFIED
Three things from Pierre
- Wins for childcare. Lawmakers advanced two childcare-related bills brought by a state committee tasked with finding solutions to the statewide crisis. The first, Senate Bill 126, would increase the amount of money providers are reimbursed by the state for families who receive childcare assistance. That passed unanimously out of the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.
- The second, House Bill 1132 would also provide state childcare assistance to the children of childcare providers. That one passed by one vote out of the House Health and Human Services Committee this week.
- Governor unveils tax plan. Gov. Larry Rhoden this week shared a plan to decrease property taxes over the next five years. South Dakota Searchlight has the details here.
- And another loss for school choice. Another attempt at diverting tax dollars to private schools and home-school families has failed. Searchlight has more.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, 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.
Oh, by the way
Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️
Special thanks to EmBe!
Don't miss the upcoming In Her Shoes Empowerment Breakfast. Your support is instrumental in allowing EmBe to continue providing services that make a meaningful difference in the lives of the women in our community. Get your tickets for the March 6 event here.
