Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

First things first: This issue is brought to you by The Good Night Theatre Collective.

  • Next week marks The Good Night Theatre Collective's final show of the season, and it's bringing all.👋 that.👋 jaaaaaaaaazz.👐 Don't miss the musical theatre classic "Chicago," running April 23-26 at the Washington Pavilion. Get your tickets here today (before it sells out).

Weather check: Possible storms today but sunny tomorrow

This week, buckle up. Election content is here. We're starting off with the mayor's race, and you'll find full video interviews (podcast version in the works) as well as written, topic-based stories on how the candidates view the topics you're passionate about. Dive in, pace yourselves and double-check your voter registration because early voting starts Friday.

And now, news:

2026 CITY ELECTION

Meet the candidates for Sioux Falls mayor

Simplified: Five candidates are trying to win your vote to become the next mayor of Sioux Falls. Each candidate sat down with Sioux Falls Simplified for an interview to talk through a number of important issues – including many reader-submitted topics. Here's your Simplified guide to the mayoral candidates.

Why it matters

  • Sioux Falls operates in a "strong mayor" form of government, which means the mayor is basically like the CEO of the city – wielding executive and administrative powers.
    • The mayor's place on the city council also gives them a slice of legislative power because their vote can break a tie among councilors.
  • Historically, at least since Sioux Falls adopted the strong mayor form of government in the mid '90s, mayors also end up winning re-election. That means whoever is selected this year is highly likely to be the mayor for the next eight years of Sioux Falls history.
  • With five candidates, it's also highly likely the mayoral race will result in a run-off election, which means you may have a chance to vote twice for your favorite candidate – or, if your favorite doesn't make the top two, you'll need to find your back-up option.
    • This guide aims to make it easy to feel smart about how the candidates feel on a wide variety of relevant policy issues.

Ok, with all that preamble, it's time to meet the candidates

You can view the full-length interviews with each of the five mayoral candidates on YouTube following the links below.

SF Simplified — Video Grid (Popup)
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Find comprehensive election coverage at sfsimplified.com

Let's talk policy

At the risk of this story turning into a novel, you'll find specific topic-based stories linked below that you can peruse based on your interests and concerns. Click the topic below to see candidate responses to questions on that topic.

Here's how the candidates responded to questions regarding:

Find more on the individual candidates here

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Guess who's back? TIFs. The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday advanced a proposal to give $8 million in tax-increment financing to developers working on a mixed-use development on the rail yard property downtown. The final vote on the TIF is expected to come next week.
  • Thanks, Don. After more than 20 years leading the city parks and recreation department, Parks Director Don Kearney is retiring at the end of this week. Kearney oversaw major parks projects including various park renovations, construction of the Midco Aquatic Center, the Levitt, the Elmwood Clubhouse and multiple phases of the downtown river greenway.
    • “Don Kearney has played a central role in building a parks system that is recognized as one of the best in the country,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said in a press release. "His work in this community will be felt for generations.”
    • “Early in my career, I set my sights on Sioux Falls as the community I wanted to serve and in 2005, I was honored to be given that opportunity,” Kearney said. “The pride our residents take in their parks, trails and recreation programs is truly exceptional and their ongoing support is unlike anything I have experienced in any other city.”

EVENTS

Stuff to do: April 15-21

  • Check out some art. And celebrate artists of all abilities on Friday evening at the 13th annual ArtAbility Art Show at The Underground by Rehfeld's. Hosted by the city Disability Awareness & Accessibility Review Board, ArtAbility is an opportunity to showcase artwork as a means of self-expression – specifically for artists with disabilities. Details here.
  • Check out some films. The Great Outdoor Store and the State Theatre are teaming up to bring the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour to Sioux Falls. With two days of adrenaline-fueled outdoor adventure films, your ticket also supports Falls Area Single Track. Get the details and tickets here.
  • Thank you for being a friend. It's Golden Girls night this Thursday at The Social featuring performances from dueling piano group Dueling Duo. Tickets also include a a true Italian meal in honor of Sophia, served by Bluestem Catering Co., followed by delicious cheesecake and lively conversation. Details and tickets here.
  • We all scream for ice cream runs. The Sioux Falls Area Running Club is mixing dairy and long runs for what I can only assume is a fun (and also maybe barf-y) time. Runners will stop at six different B&G Milkyway locations along the 22-mile route. If anyone does this without barfing, please contact me, and I'll give you some SF Simplified swag for your accomplishment. Details here.
  • Buy some records. It's Record Store Day on Saturday, and you know Total Drag is celebrating with tons of RSD exclusives – and free donuts. Check it out here.
  • Shop local art, support local causes. ReCreate by Zenith is hosting an art show and supply drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Falls Overlook Cafe. Bring supplies like paper towels, laundry soap, tissues, toilet paper and more to donate to Uniquely Yours, and while you're there, shop a variety of local vendors. Details here.
  • Support school lunches. South Dakota students who qualify for reduced-price lunches will no longer have to pay for meals at school thanks to legislation from Rep. Kadyn Wittman that Gov. Larry Rhoden signed into law last month. The Barrel House and Hungry Hearts Foundation are teaming up to host an event Thursday evening to celebrate. Details here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

We asked each mayoral and council candidate their favorite restaurant because ... why not?
Sioux Falls Simplified sat down with nearly all of the candidates to talk through a lot of very important policy issues – and one kinda silly one.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Levitt, Smithsonian partner to celebrate Native American culture
The fourth annual “All My Relatives” Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ Festival was selected to participate in The Smithsonian “Festival of Festivals” as part of the institution’s celebration of American culture and recognizing the country’s 250th anniversary.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Why the city is looking at downtown public parking fees
The City Council is looking to do a full review of all fees the city charges, from pool passes to utilities to business licenses, as part of a new effort to more consistently review and raise fees. One of the first items on the docket? Downtown public parking.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Oh, by the way

Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️

Special thanks to The Good Night Theatre Collective!

You won't want to miss "Chicago" featuring a local cast of Sioux Falls talent. Get your tickets today! (And, while you're on the website, you can sneak a peek at the 26-27 season announcement!)