Happy Friday! Megan here.
First things first: This issue is brought to you by Los Campeones!
- Los Campeones is where strength meets community. The best gym in town just opened in Sioux Falls and is located directly west of Best Buy. The gym has top-level equipment, 24/7 access and a culture that helps you become the best version of yourself. Take a virtual walk-through of the facility here.
Weather check: 50s, maybe rainy
This week, I've got your "everything you need to know in one place" Election Day survival guide. Plus, I'm trying a new thing this November. I keep hearing from local retailers that it's been a TOUGH year. Since most folks are doing quite a lot of shopping this time of year, I wanted to create a fun way to encourage (and reward) you for doing your holiday shopping with local businesses. You'll learn all the details on the inaugural "BIN-GO Shop Local" game in this issue.
And now, news:
ELECTIONS
Your 2024 Election Day Survival Guide
Simplified: It's Election Day! And while certainly there's significant decisions to be made on a national level, there are also very big issues on the ballot closer to home. Here's what you need to know before you vote.
Why it matters
- Whew, where to even start here...voting is the most direct way you can influence how our community operates.
- Your vote for local officials determines who will be writing our state laws and county ordinances.
- Your vote on ballot measures determines how the state regulates everything from marijuana to abortion.
- Your vote in the presidential and Congressional races sets the tone for national policy and determines how many organizations statewide will receive (or not receive) funding.
- All this to say, your vote matters. Even if you don't care about politics. Even if you don't like any of the options. The election outcomes will impact you, and choosing to not vote means you're letting other people decide your future for you.
Ok, enough of that "civic engagement is important" soapbox. Let's get to the guide:
Where do I vote?
You can vote in-person absentee from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Monday in both Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties.
On Election Day, you must vote in the designated polling place for your precinct.
- Not sure what your precinct is? Check the "Voter Information Portal" on the South Dakota Secretary of State's Office.
What's on the ballot?
Quite a bit. We break it all down here.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
This bingo game rewards you for doing your holiday shopping with local businesses
This is a paid partnership with Voyage Federal Credit Union and Sioux Falls Simplified.
Simplified: Sioux Falls Simplified is bringing a new, fun, competitive way to encourage folks to shop locally this holiday season. Here's what you need to know about the "BIN-GO Shop Local" game.
Why it matters
- Supporting local businesses pays dividends for the community. For every $100 spent at a local business, about $57 says in the community – compared to $13 spent at a chain, according to data from the American Independent Business Alliance.
- Additionally, many local retailers are having a tough year. During the pandemic, there was a rush of support for small businesses, but that momentum has fallen off during a time when the cost of doing business keeps getting higher and higher.
- The BIN-GO Shop Local game is one small way we can help. It's a bit goofy, a bit gimmicky, but at the end of the day, it's all about reminding you that – as easy as it is to click "add to cart" online – there's real benefit (and prizes at stake) when you shop at a local store instead.
How does it work?
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Kitty has a name. The Great Plains Zoo officially has a name for its new Pallas kitten born earlier this year. The cute little kitty is called "Tashi," and in honor of Halloweekend, here he is staring at a pumpkin:
EDUCATION
Here's a look at the makeup of Sioux Falls schools
Simplified: Sioux Falls schools are seeing more diversity, more elementary kids eligible for free lunches and fewer kindergarteners. Here are a few main takeaways from demographic and enrollment reports presented to the school board Monday.
Why it matters
- The Sioux Falls School District is the largest district in the state, with more than 24,200 students. Though enrollment has leveled off a bit in recent years, the district expects to continue seeing growth, according to Doug Morrison, director of data services for the district.
- With that growth comes an increase in students from low-income households. The percentage of elementary students who qualify for free or reduced lunches – an often-cited marker of poverty – has reached its highest point in a decade with nearly 52% of elementary school kids qualifying, according to data shared with board members.
- For context, to meet qualifying income guidelines, a family of four must make less than $39,000 for free lunches and less than $55,000 for reduced price lunches.
- The demographics report also shows how diverse Sioux Falls schools are – with more than 100 languages spoken and about 45% of kids identify as multiracial or students of color.
"That's really a value that we have in our community," Board President Carly Reiter said. "That we can interact with people who aren't the same as us everyday, and that allows us to stretch our minds and think about things in new ways and new perspectives. I'm so grateful for that opportunity students have."
Tell me more about the data
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
- Buffy
- Local folks winning
- Stealing all the Almond Joys from my kids' Halloween bucket.
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
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