Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Bad
This week, citywide survey results shared this week brought a ton of interesting topics to dig into – the first of which you'll find below. You'll also meet (or re-meet) the new City Council member, find a handful of Super Simplified Stories and catch a round-up of lots of fun events happening this week.
And now, news:
CITY
Survey: Most Sioux Fallsians support tax-subsidized childcare
Simplified: About 7 in 10 Sioux Falls residents support using tax money to make childcare more affordable, according to survey results from the 2025 National Community Survey.
Why it matters
- Childcare costs more than in-state college tuition in South Dakota, and most parents – as many as 9 in 10 – are paying more than they can afford, according to federal definition of childcare affordability at no more than 7% of the annual household income.
- The childcare crisis in Sioux Falls is well-documented, and after months of research, a 97-page report outlining specific, actionable solutions released in 2023, and a separate city task force studying the issue in 2024, City Council has shied away from using city dollars to support families.
- But childcare re-entered the chat during Tuesday's City Council informational meeting when Councilor Jennifer Sigette said she was "shocked" to see that the majority of residents in a statistically valid survey say they supported using tax money to make childcare affordable.
"There was some traction on this a year ago, and we just didn't feel the support to continue to try to get a project up and running to help make childcare more affordable," Sigette said. "And yet this is 70% of people saying tax dollars should go to help ... This makes me think we need to bring that project up again."
Tell me more
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Meet the IT guys making technology personal for small businesses
This is a paid piece from Sioux Empire IT.
Simplified: Sioux Empire IT Founders Matt Cook and Nate Kull know that most of the time, if your IT is working well, you won't be thinking about it. But they're not looking to just run in the background. Rather, their team is looking to be a partner for all of your business technology needs – and no business is too small to deserve high quality services.
Why it matters
- Sioux Empire IT officially launched in November 2023, and it's two co-founders' diverse professional experience bring a unique level of creativity and problem-solving to find IT solutions for any business' problems. Cook comes from a background in entertainment and programming, and Kull brings 30 years of IT experience – including running IT on a nuclear submarine in the U.S. Navy.
- Though Sioux Empire IT's team is small, it's also growing. Cook said the business is often punching above its weight and offering top-of-the-line tools at a scale that's accessible for small businesses.
- Even small businesses are susceptible to cybersecurity threats, and Sioux Empire IT works proactively to ensure businesses are protected. Additionally, the company is a one-stop shop for technology needs from logistics to web design to backing up data – as well as celebrating wins and milestones along the way.
"We want to be the IT shop that you invite to your company Christmas party because we’re so engrained in your business," Cook said. "You know us and what we do."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Survey says... The childcare story above was just one small snippet of the full National Community Survey data released this week. Watch for more stories later in the week, but in the meantime, if you want to dig in to the specifics, you can find the full, 110-page report here.
- More middle-schoolers in after-school care. Data shared with the Sioux Falls School Board shows that in the first few months since launching Community Learning Centers at three middle schools, enrollment has gone from about 130 kids to more than 550. Funding permitting, the goal is to expand these after-school programs to all middle schools in the coming years. See the full board report here.
- A new building at Southeast Tech. Southeast Technical College last week announced a $2 million grant from Wells Fargo to the school's foundation to fund the construction of the new Wells Fargo Homebuilding Lab, which will provide students with real-world experience in residential construction, according to a news release from the school. Learn more here.
- Ski season is here. Great Bear Ski Valley will officially open for season pass-holders this afternoon, and you can save money by booking your lift ticket online in advance. The park is expected to open to the public on Thursday. Details here.
- Build kids' confidence.* KidStrong Sioux Falls will celebrate its opening this week with a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday and official opening on Monday, Dec. 15. KidStrong is a science-based kids training program that builds strong, confident and high-character kids through weekly classes led by highly trained coaches. You can learn more here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
CITY
Meet the new (old) City Council member
Simplified: A familiar face will join temporarily join the Sioux Falls City Council in the seat recently vacated by Councilor Sarah Cole. Here's what you need to know about former (and now current) Councilor Vernon Brown.
Why it matters
- The Sioux Falls City Council has the authority to fill a vacant council seat, and councilors Tuesday evening appointed Vernon Brown, who previously served on the council from 2004 to 2012.
- Brown will only serve until after the June municipal election, in which the At-Large A seat Cole previously held will be on the ballot. He was nominated by Councilors Miranda Basye and Ryan Spellerberg.
- The appointment feels serendipitous, Brown said, noting that when he first served on the council, his focus was on improving the city and making Sioux Falls the kind of community where future generations – including his then-newborn daughter – would want to stay.
"My daughter will graduate from college next spring, and she is choosing to hopefully start her career here in Sioux Falls," Brown said. "So it just kind of feels full-circle for me."
Tell me more
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Dec. 10-16
- See Santa. There are a handful of chances to see jolly old St. Nick this week, including an event Wednesday afternoon at Scheels, Saturday at the Washington Pavilion, and all week long at the Empire Mall. Can't make those? Our friends at 'Hood Magazine have tons more Santa sightings.
- Gather and Glow. Oh My Cupcakes is hosting a full day of holiday Saturday with a build-your-own hot chocolate bar, a free cookie for the first 30 guests and lots of sweet (pun very much intended) deals. Get the details here.
- Go old fashioned. Join the folks at Lava's Coffee in Harrisburg for an "Old Fashioned Christmas" on Saturday. There will be sleigh rides from 10 a.m. to noon, crafts, a chance to meet Santa and holiday goodies. Learn more here.
- Do some shopping. ReCreate by SuFu Creative is bringing a variety of vendors to the Falls Overlook Cafe for a holiday market. Bring along some soap, deodorant or shampoo to benefit nonprofit Journey of Hope. Details here.
- Tie some blankets. It's the biggest blanket-making party around, and it's all going down Saturday morning at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Project Warm Up. Learn more here.
- Do some trivia. Siouxland Libraries is hosting trivia at Woodgrain starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Bring a crew of up to six players, and test your knowledge. Details here.
- Christmas is going to the dogs. Holiday party? More like PAW-liday party, amirite? The city parks and recreation department is hosting a holiday party for dogs Saturday afternoon at the Kirby Dog Park. Swing by from 1 to 3 p.m. for a photo op with the Grinch, an ugly dog sweater contest and a chance to shop dog goodies from local vendors. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
What we learned from a safety audit of Sioux Falls schools
Sioux Falls’ public school buildings scored highly in a safety audit conducted earlier this year, according to data presented to school board members this week.
Megan Raposa
Why Sioux Falls will soon have new bus shelters
The City of Sioux Falls received a nearly $2 million federal grant to fund dozens of new bus shelters across town over the next few years.
Megan Raposa
Why councilors want city boards to be more accessible
The Sioux Falls City Council is looking for ways to encourage civic engagement among residents, particularly at the stages of decision-making when their opinions can have the most impact.
Megan Raposa
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