• T. Denny Sanford's legacy remembered. The billionaire philanthropist died Saturday morning at age 90. Sanford gave too many donations to name here, but some of the big ones include supporting Sanford Health, the Great Plains Zoo, the State Theatre, the land downtown set to be known as the Sanford District (after Smithfield moves), and more. SiouxFalls.Business has a story sharing friends remembering Sanford, as well as a full obituary here.
  • Council elects new leadership. City Council on Tuesday voted to elect new leadership. Councilor Rich Merkouris, who just started his second term on the council, will serve as the new chair, and Councilor Jennifer Sigette will serve as vice chair. Councilor Miranda Basye also nominated Sigette to serve as chair, but her motion did not get a second and failed. She was then elected vice chair.
  • Five local nonprofits get community foundation grants. The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation awarded grants totaling more than $100,000 to local organizations in the second quarter. Those include: Affordable Housing Solutions, The Community Outreach, the Laura B. Anderson Elementary School Chess Club, St. Dysmas of South Dakota, and Uniquely Yours. The next grant cycle closes Aug. 1. Learn more here.
  • Need clean floors?* FloorTec Cleaning & Restoration is excited to expand its presence in the Sioux Falls area with the opening of a new Tea, South Dakota location. From the Tea office, FloorTec provide 24/7 emergency response for water, fire, smoke, mold, and storm damage, along with carpet and duct cleaning services for homeowners and businesses throughout the region. Learn more about their services and service area by visiting FloorTecRestoration.com. 
  • Council renews lease for The Link. The City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to renew the $0/year lease for The Link triage center downtown. The Link's future is facing some uncertainty with a lack of sustainable funding sources.
    • Additionally, Homelessness Coordinator Michelle Treasure shared there's a brand new board, and they're looking at more cost-effective ways to provide services. Another dynamic at play is that Avera is the group currently in charge of Link operations, and their contract is coming to an end this year.
  • Quarry improvements get first OK from council. Councilors on Tuesday also took the first step in accepting the $15 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to restore the quarry downtown (background here). Once approved, the parks department can move forward with an "extensive" public input and design process, as Assistant Parks Director Brett Kollars put it, and plans for construction in 2028.

*Denotes a paid partnership