Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
First things first: This issue is brought to you by SafeSplash Swim School.
- At SafeSplash, water safety is always the top priority. Their SwimJams camps are designed to fit busy summer schedules while helping kids build skills, confidence, and comfort in the water. With four days of consecutive lessons, 4:1 student-teacher ratio and groups for every skill level, SwimJams bring real swim progress in just one week.
- Enroll by June 30 and use promo code Camp25 to receive 25% off when completing your SwimJam enrollment. Sign up now!
Weather check: Warm and sunny
This week, I'm not going to lie, it's 1:30 a.m., and I'm a bit shook by how close this election is. Everyone talks about how "every vote counts," but there's a difference between knowing that in theory and then seeing a difference of two votes. TWO VOTES between the mayoral candidates. It's too close to call, and there are plenty of questions I hope to have answers to yet today.
- But, from where I'm sitting, all I can think about is how every vote matters. Every voice in this community matters. And whoever ends up winning, I hope that's the takeaway. One person can make a difference – so go do something to make your community a little bit better today. I'm gonna go take a nap.
And now, news:
2026 CITY ELECTION
Why we still don't know the next mayor
Simplified: In a true nail-biter of a race, just two votes separated Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith when the initial results were reported around midnight Tuesday. In an election with more than 36,600 ballots cast – that's too close to call.
Why it matters
- Erickson and Smith faced off in the run-off Tuesday after leading what was initially a field of five candidates in the June 2 election. In that race, Erickson took 37% of the vote compared to Smith's 28%, but since neither candidate clinched the requisite 50%, it went to a run-off.
- And a lot has happened in the three weeks since then – including big endorsements on both sides, more money raised by both candidates and just a whole lot of campaigning all around. It all amounted to enough, apparently, to close the gap between the two candidates.
- Erickson's supporters were celebratory Tuesday night after the results came in showing she had 18,279 votes to Smith's 18,277.
"This right here shows why every single vote matters," Erickson said to a room of cheers. "Tonight we are going to celebrate. However, we know this isn't over yet. We anticipate a recount, and we hope that these results stay true."
- Meanwhile, just across the river, Smith addressed another room full of cheering supporters.
"This is not over," Smith said. "I want you to know we are not conceding. There will be a recount."
What happens next?
2026 CITY ELECTION
Meet Sioux Falls' new City Council members
Simplified: Three new faces are set to join the Sioux Falls City Council: James Oppenheimer, representing the entire city in the At-Large A seat, Zak Okuwe representing the Central District and Sara Pankonin representing the Southeast District. Here's how the votes rolled out.
Why it matters
- All six of the council candidates who made it to the run-off were new faces to city government, with the folks who previously held their seats either term-limited or opting not to seek re-election.
- The closest race was in the Central District, where Zak Okuwe edged out Zach DeBoer by just shy of 500 votes. In Southeast, Sara Pankonin brought in about 800 more votes than Michael Crane, and in the At-Large race, James Ooppenheimer got about 6,700 more votes than Vince Danh.
- Overall, about 24% of Sioux Falls voters cast a ballot in Tuesday's run-off election – less than the primary election three weeks ago, and slightly low compared to the 2018 and 2010 run-off mayoral elections (other years in which a new mayor was elected after one was term-limited), which both saw over 30% of voters turn out.
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Dell Rapids lawmaker charged with felony. Tom Pischke, a state senator from Dell Rapids, was charged with two felonies Tuesday for allegedly trying to put candidates for county party leadership posts on the primary election ballot without those candidates’ knowledge, according to South Dakota Searchlight. See their full coverage here.
- New apartments set to open in Crooks. A new 78-unit apartment complex in Crooks will officially celebrate its grand opening this week. Crooks Reserve has a variety of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, which Mayor Butch Oseby said is an "important milestone" in the community's growth as more families and professionals look to call Crooks home. Learn more about the new apartments here.
PRICE PREDICTOR
Can you guess the price of this Sioux Falls home?
This is a sponsored segment from Destinie Marshall with Discovery Real Estate Co.
This four-bedroom, four-bathroom 2022 custom-built home in the Canterbury Heights neighborhood has over 3,000 square feet of quality finishes. Situated on a corner lot, it also includes a covered deck, movie projector, wet bar downstairs and two primary suites. Can you guess the price?
Want to see your listing shared here? Email megan@sfsimplified.com.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: June 24-30
- Go to the "Sioux Falls Tonys." Ok, maybe we're not as flashy as Broadway around here, but I'd venture to say the local talent is just as entertaining. The Sioux Falls Stage Awards on Thursday evening at the Orpheum Theater are a chance for the local theatre crowd to celebrate the performers and artists who keep us all entertained year-round. Snag your tickets here.
- Hang at the zoo with no kids. It's the annual Zoofari event on Thursday evening at the Great Plains Zoo. Get a unique after-hours zoo experience with good food, booze and experience the zoo like most guests never get a chance to. Plus, your ticket supports the work of the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium. Details and tickets here.
- Catch some great music. The annual That Sounds Decent festival is going down Saturday at the Levitt with a killer line-up including Etta and the Vendetta, Mato Wayuhi, Night Moves and more. All vibes, all free. Details here.
- Support young entrepreneurs. There are a couple of opportunities to support kid businesses this week. First, the Acton Children's Business Fair is happening Thursday afternoon at Lake Lorraine. Then, Saturday morning, the city parks and rec department is hosting the "Next Gen Market" at Jacobson Plaza. Details on that one here.
- Go to (bike) prom. Ride your bike in style at Bike Prom on Saturday. The ride starts at Spoke 'n Sport on Cliff Avenue at 5 p.m. and ends at Pomegranate Market downtown – with a chance to snag some water, get your awkward prom photos and take a break at Rotary Park on the way. Details here.
- Paint candles with other moms. Stones Coffee and Play is hosting a "Moms' Night In" Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with candle painting, mocktails and a chance at a cozy, kid-free evening. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
WANT TO HELP MORE PEOPLE FEEL THIS SMART?
Support Sioux Falls Simplified
Here are a few ways to ensure this smarter, easier local news outlet is here to stay:
- Forward this to a friend. Sharing is caring, and the best gifts are the ones that make your life easier – like this smarter, easier local news.
- Become a member. Consider buying into a smarter Sioux Falls by becoming a member and offering financial support to the no B.S. journalism you've been reading here.
- Give a one-time gift. Not ready to commit to a membership? That's OK! If you want to help in a smaller way, you can give a one-time gift here.
- Advertise with us. Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com.
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 SafeSplash Swim School!
Watch your kids make real progress in water safety in just one week with SwimJams summer camps. Enroll by June 30 and use promo code Camp25 to receive 25% off when completing your SwimJam enrollment. Sign up now!
