Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Bit of a chilly start to summer vacation
Status check: How are we holding up as the school year comes to an end? I, personally, have cried at least twice this week thinking about how my small tiny baby who was seemingly born three weeks ago is now DONE with kindergarten today. So, ya know, be gentle with me and with yourself.
This week, you'll get a look at how money is flowing in the upcoming city election. Plus, speaking of elections, did you know two-thirds of Harrisburg School District students live in Sioux Falls? I didn't. But it was just one of many things I learned talking with the Harrisburg school board candidates – see those interviews below. Oh, and don't miss a round-up of all the fun events as we kick off summer break.
And now, news:
2026 CITY ELECTION
How much money are mayor, council candidates spending?
Simplified: With less than two weeks until the June 2 election, candidates looking to lead city government have spent a more than half a million dollars so far. Here's a closer look at how money is moving in the mayoral and council races.
Why it matters
- A Sioux Falls Simplified analysis of campaign finance forms filed this week shows more than $534,000 has been spent so far between the five mayoral candidates and 13 City Council candidates.
- That's only what's been spent, though. In total, candidates have raised more than $819,000. The money has largely come from individual campaign donations, though a little over $100,000 of the money – and largely concentrated among mayoral candidates – is from political action committees (PACs).
- Most of the money is in the mayor's race, where the five candidates have spent a combined $371,000 so far in the campaign. Leading the charge in both funds raised and funds spent is Christine Erickson, followed by Jamie Smith – both of whom spent more than $125,000 as of Monday.
Tell me more
2026 SCHOOL ELECTION
Meet the candidates for Harrisburg School Board
Simplified: Three candidates are vying to fill two open seats on the Harrisburg School Board overseeing the third-largest district in the state. Here's a look at each candidate and how they'd approach various policy issues.
Why it matters
- Two-thirds of Harrisburg students live in Sioux Falls, which means the district impacts thousands of local kids. It's also a fast-growing district in the state – adding more than 2,200 kids in the last decade.
- Additionally, at least one of the two open seats will be filled by a new face. Longtime board member Linda Kirchhevel is not seeking re-election after four terms on the board.
- This guide aims to help connect you with the candidates and help you feel empowered ahead of election day. If you live in Sioux Falls, you can also find comprehensive coverage of the mayoral and City Council races here.
Meet the candidates
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How caring for yourself can help other women do the same
This is a paid piece from Selah Space.
Simplified: Circles of Care, the nonprofit arm of holistic wellness cooperative Selah Space, has a new event that takes women supporting women to the next level. Here's what you need to know about the "Ladies First" event on June 6.
Why it matters
- Circles of Care was established in 2024 to help give women access multidisciplinary, holistic care regardless of income or insurance.
- The Ladies First event is a way to both raise funds to support Circles of Care while also giving women a chance to experience different healing modalities for their own care journey. There's also childcare on-site, so moms can fully experience the event.
- Ladies First is an open-house style event with a variety of ticketed workshops from Selah Space's provider network. So, for as little as $10, you can go and test out things like reiki, myofascial release therapy, breathwork and more. Proceeds from all of the workshops will benefit Circles of Care.
"The women in our community are taking care of everybody, and nobody takes care of them," said Jada Dobesh, founder of Selah Space. "This event gives us a chance to show women they have to take care of themselves if they want to take care of everybody else for the long haul."
Tell me more about the event
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Council approves arts plan. The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve the first city-led arts and culture strategic plan. Arts Coordinator Maren Engel said meetings are already starting with stakeholders and with the city finance team about implementing the plan, and she reassured councilors that this is not a plan that's going to just sit on a shelf once approved. You can learn more about the plan itself here.
- Ride the bus for free this summer. Sioux Area Metro is giving folks a chance to test out the bus system with free fares on fixed-route buses and paratransit services every Friday throughout the summer. Starting this week, you can ride the bus for free every Friday through Sept. 4. The goal is to encourage more folks to test out the transit system in Sioux Falls. You can find more details on bus routes and schedules on the SAM website.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: May 20-26
- Hear from the City Council candidates. Election Day is less than two weeks away, and there aren't many more chances to hear from candidates. The League of Women Voters is hosting a forum with all of the City Council candidates on Wednesday afternoon at Carnegie Town Hall. The first hour (starting at 6 p.m.) will include Central and Southeast district candidates, followed by the At-Large candidates from about 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Details here.
- Kick off summer. The city parks and recreation department is hosting a summer kick-off event at the Westside Recreation Center. This free event will feature inflatables, a DJ and carnival games. It's all happening 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Details here.
- Party at the zoo. The zoo is also ready for summer with its Summer Celebration event on Saturday, which will include zookeeper chats, hula lessons, vendors and more. Learn more about that event and other summer zoo fun here.
- Support local artists. It must be summer because the Falls Art Market is back. BronzeAge Art Casting is bringing together lots of local artists to share and sell their original artwork. Swing by Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the lot just east of the Levitt downtown. Details here.
- Celebrate trees. Ipso Gallery is opening "Town Tree" this Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fresh Produce in the Gourley building downtown. This new gallery celebrates Sioux Falls' urban forest by inviting local artists to sketch a beloved tree in their neighborhood. The launch event also celebrates local author Paul DeJong's new field guide: "Trees of All Saints & McKennan Park."
- BINGO, but with music. Fernson is hosting a themed music bingo night every Wednesday. Themes change each week. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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