Super Simplified Stories: July 16, 2025

Megan Raposa -
  • What if summer camp was for grown-ups?* Missing the days of making s'mores, kayaking and enjoying a full day outdoors? Fear not. You can experience all of the outdoor camp fun you remember from childhood at the YMCA's third annual Big Vikes Day Camp -- but this time around, you can also enjoy unlimited access to food trucks, adult beverages and make-and-take crafts. This one-day event will take place Saturday, Aug. 23. Avoid some serious summer FOMO and sign up here. Bonus: this week only, you can also enter to win a chance for two free tickets via Instagram.
  • School board switch-ups. The Sioux Falls School Board welcomed a new member – Elizabeth Duffy – as well as re-elected Nan Kelly. Kelly was also elected as president of the five-member board, and Marc Murren will serve as the vice president.
    • "Public education is about opportunity, economic development and quality of life for all," Kelly said, upon accepting her role as president. "It's foundational to the American dream."
  • Share your thoughts on regional transportation. In addition to the "Shape Sioux Falls 2050" plan you read about above, the city is also in the midst of planning a long-range transportation plan (i.e. how folks get around, which for us is mostly roads). You've still got time to weigh in on the "Go Sioux Falls 2050" plan and catch up on what's been discussed so far here.
  • Credit card fees comin' atcha. Sioux Falls City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to pass along the credit card fees the city has been charged – right now cashing in at around $800,000 per year – to the consumers. The idea is that this keeps taxpayers from subsidizing the convenience of those who choose to pay with a credit card.
  • No booze at the skate park. The council also voted unanimously to add two more parks to the city's list of parks where there's no booze allowed. Those include the Phillips Avenue plaza and the Barb Iverson Skate Plaza. That brings the total number of "dry" parks to 14 of the city's overall more than 80 parks.
    • Councilors also banned alcohol in general in "public places" – including any space owned or managed by the city.
  • Some money for the airport. Councilors on Tuesday also approved a $5 million loan to the airport authority to support expansion of the Sioux Falls airport.

*Denotes a paid partnership