• Minnehaha County approves $144.6M budget. The Minnehaha County Commission on Tuesday morning approved the 2027 budget. Public safety and justice make up more than 70% of that budget at just under $75 million in annual spending. The tax levy is going up very slightly – the owner of a $300,000 home will see an estimated $28 increase per year as a result.
• Snuggle up with a good book.* Novel Lattes (formerly known as Literature & Lattes) is the largest clean book festival in the U.S., highlighting authors from South Dakota and around the country. The event is taking place Oct. 16 and 17 at the Denny Sanford Premier Center, and it'll feature writing workshops, author meet and greets, a book fair and a chance to win door prizes. Oh, and, of course, there'll be coffee. Find all the details here.
• Help kids "Quack" open a book, too. Sioux Empire United Way is hosting a free reading festival "Quack Open A Book" on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center to encourage young kids to make reading fun. The event will include a mobile zoo, library card sign-ups, children's entertainment and literacy resources for parents. They're also looking for volunteers to help make it all possible. Learn more here.
• Habitat for Humanity to open applications. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls is preparing to open applications for families looking to work toward owning a home. The annual application window will open Oct. 1-31, and this year's income guidelines are expanded to include more households. Learn more and apply here.

*Denotes paid partnership