Your weekend, simplified: Sept. 6, 2024

Happy Friday! Megan here.

Status check: Did you see our cutesy little "leave a tip" feature? It's a new, super easy way to support this locally owned local news outlet. ❤️

Awww it IS cute

This weekend, I'm in Chicago at the LION Publishers conference with hundreds of other small, independent publishers, and it's really filling my cup as I learn new tips and tricks to make this newsletter even better (and, heck, maybe even financially sustainable!). But I do have a couple of quick news stories for ya – including sharing my experience with the new SAM On Demand public transit and a look at how construction is progressing on the new northwest elementary school.

And now, news:

CITY

I tried the new on-demand public transit. Here's how it went.

Editor's note: I don't do a lot of opinion content – and for good reason – but I did think it was important to try this new public transit option firsthand and document how it went. So, you'll find some opinions here, but it's in the interest of sharing my genuine experience for journalistic reasons.

Simplified: Sioux Falls' new citywide on-demand public transit is an affordable, effective way to get around if you've got lots of time, but it's not without its challenges and limitations.

First, some background

The city began contracting with a new transit provider, New York-based Via, at the start of the year.

This spring, Via shared plans to change-up public transit in the city with a new approach. Essentially, the idea is to have fewer, more frequent fixed routes combined with a citywide on-demand option – pitched as essentially a public transit version of Uber or Lyft.

How does it work in practice?

Taking the first ride using on-demand transit required a bit of legwork to get everything set up.

Via has its own app that you have to download, and there are quite a few steps to get it all set up, including:

getting a verification code sent to your phone,
filling in your name, phone number, credit card information,
changing settings to allow the app to track your location and send notifications.

What about the ride itself?

And get to know the new friend I made along the way.

EDUCATION

Get a look at progress on the new Marcella LeBeau Elementary School

Simplified: Construction is underway on Sioux Falls newest elementary school, Marcella LeBeau Elementary. School board members this week got an update on the progress and next steps.

Why it matters

The new elementary school – located next to George McGovern Middle School on the northwest side of town – marks the final project funded by a historic $180 million bond that voters approved in 2018.
The school will help accommodate more kids in a fast-growing part of town, and in its first year, it's expected to have about 250 students moving from Hawthorne, Hayward and Renberg Elementary Schools.
The next steps include hiring a principal and staff, taking care of details like playground equipment, security systems and furniture, and ensuring parents know where their kid will be going to school next year (and how to stay at their current school, if that's what they want).

"Open enrollment dates are important," Superintendent Jane Stavem said. "We want to make sure people are really paying attention."

See drone footage of construction progress here

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

City prepping for new interchange. The City of Sioux Falls is preparing to start construction on a new interchange at Cliff Avenue and Interstate 229 next year, and that involves moving some dirt from over at I-229 and Louise Avenue. So if you see work happening over by Louise Ave., that's what that is. Have questions or thoughts on the Cliff Ave. project? The state Department of Transportation is still taking feedback here.
There is such thing as a free lunch. And it's today at the Paladino Hohm Sculpture Garden in front of the Washington Pavilion. First Interstate Bank is sponsoring the meal as a way to wrap up kickoff week for the Sioux Empire United Way campaign. Food will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (or until the food runs out).
A cute thing. Remember Halle Bauman, the 12-year-old girl who didn't get a chance to sing with her choir at the Foreigner concert? Well, the Sioux Falls Canaries had Halle and 15 of her fellow choir members sing the National Anthem at Wednesday night's playoff game. Wholesome af.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

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