Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

First things first: This newsletter is brought to you by Shepherd's Table.

  • Join Shepherd's Table on Oct. 2 at the Good Earth Farm near Lennox for pizza, community and live music. The inaugural "Pizza be with you" fundraiser will support the ministry of building longer tables so all might find a place to belong. Shepherd's Table centers the lives and stories of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through regular gatherings and worship services known as "dinner church." Learn more and grab your ticket here.

Weather check: More rain on the way – but at least it's not cold enough that we're saying, "at least it's not snow"

Our annual 'A Little Help' give-back campaign runs through the month of September. The goal is to help local nonprofit Bread Break raise $5,000 to support their mission to prevent food waste while feeding the hungry. Learn more about Bread Break here, and consider tossing a few bucks their way if you're able.

Donate here

This week, I'm up to my ears in election coverage, and, thanks to a week of no City Council meetings, I've had time to refine what the November election guide will look like – so, I'm clueing you in on that, too. You'll also find an inside look at Sioux Falls' newest sport, a whole bunch of upcoming events and some Super Simplified Stories for book lovers.

And now, news:

2026 SD ELECTION

How SF Simplified is covering the November election

Simplified: Sioux Falls Simplified proved itself as a valuable resource with the mayoral election this spring, and in the year of never-ending election season, we're back this fall with a comprehensive guide to Sioux Falls-area state legislative races, county races and ballot issue explainers.

Here's how we're covering the election

SPORTS

How flag football is giving Sioux Falls girls a new outlet

Simplified: More than 140 girls are participating in the inaugural flag football league – which started this year thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Vikings. Here's what you need to know about Sioux Falls' newest high school sport.

Roosevelt’s Nashyiah Jones carries the ball at Roosevelt’s practice on Thursday, Sept. 17. (Photo: Tom A. Savage)

Why it matters

  • Flag football is having a moment right now. In 2023, the NFL made a major change to their season-ending Pro Bowl game to be flag football instead of tackle. The sport is also set to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
  • The NFL is also using flag football as a way to reach younger audiences, including girls. This fall, thanks to the Vikings grant, Sioux Falls' four public high schools all fielded girls flag football teams – reaching about 140 girls in the first-of-its-kind league.
  • One of those girls is Roosevelt senior Lauren Carlson, who is not only on the first-ever girls flag football team, but she also has the distinction of scoring the Rough Riders’ first touchdown in school history, a feat she completed at Howard Wood Field on Sept. 12.
“It’s cool to be a part of something new,” Carlson said. “I’ve talked to a lot of underclassmen that have just heard about flag football. I think we’ll always be able to get enough girls to go out now. I don’t think it’s going to go away.”

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Minnehaha County approves $144.6M budget. The Minnehaha County Commission on Tuesday morning approved the 2027 budget. Public safety and justice make up more than 70% of that budget at just under $75 million in annual spending. The tax levy is going up very slightly – the owner of a $300,000 home will see an estimated $28 increase per year as a result.
  • Snuggle up with a good book.* Novel Lattes (formerly known as Literature & Lattes) is the largest clean book festival in the U.S., highlighting authors from South Dakota and around the country. The event is taking place Oct. 16 and 17 at the Denny Sanford Premier Center, and it'll feature writing workshops, author meet and greets, a book fair and a chance to win door prizes. Oh, and, of course, there'll be coffee. Find all the details here.
  • Help kids "Quack" open a book, too. Sioux Empire United Way is hosting a free reading festival "Quack Open A Book" on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center to encourage young kids to make reading fun. The event will include a mobile zoo, library card sign-ups, children's entertainment and literacy resources for parents. They're also looking for volunteers to help make it all possible. Learn more here.
  • Habitat for Humanity to open applications. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls is preparing to open applications for families looking to work toward owning a home. The annual application window will open Oct. 1-31, and this year's income guidelines are expanded to include more households. Learn more and apply here.

*Denotes paid partnership

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

There's fun for everyone at the zoo this fall

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.

Simplified: From beer sampling near the bears to doing crafts near the horseshoe crabs, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium has a wide range of fall events coming up in the next month. Here's a closer look at what's in store for all ages and interests.

Why it matters

  • For the first time this fall, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium is hosting a 21+ version of the annual ZooBoo Halloween event: Adult Boo. But don't fret if you've got younger kids because there's also four days of family-friendly ZooBoo activities.
  • There's also Halloween fun for all ages during the Spooky Seas event at the Butterfly House and Aquarium, which will include a treasure hunt activity, pirate-themed crafts and a visit from the Little Mermaid.
  • Additionally, if spooky isn't your vibe, there's also an upcoming conservation-focused event on Sept. 26 celebrating Black-footed Ferret Day. These highly endangered animals were once thought to be extinct, and zoo staff are working to help protect those that remain in the wild in South Dakota.
"They're one of the most endangered species in North America," said Denise DePaolo, director of PR and marketing, about the black-footed ferrets. "It's really cool that we're able to be a part of their conservation."

Tell me more about upcoming events

EVENTS

Stuff to do: Sept. 23-29

  • Check out Siouxpercon.* The midwest's largest nonprofit pop culture event is finally here as Siouxpercon kicks off at the Sioux Falls Convention Center this weekend. Catch over 100 artists and vendors, celebrity guests, a cosplay contest and many more events for all ages from Sept. 25-27. Find the full schedule here.
  • Revive the river. Friends of the Big Sioux River is hosting the second annual River Revival fundraiser Friday evening at Cherapa Interconnect. It'll be a night of celebrating and reflecting upon the nonprofit's continued efforts to protect and restore the Big Sioux River for today’s community and future generations. Snag your tickets here.
  • Hang with reptiles. The lizards are taking over. The Sioux Falls Reptile Expo will take place at the Ramkota Inn Exhibit Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. You can touch reptiles, shop both animals and supplies and learn through hands-on animal experiences. Learn more here.
  • Eat around the world. And you don't even have to leave town. Parker's is hosting another weekend of its Passport to the World event with three restaurants, each highlighting foods from a different city. Parker's Bistro will feature Brussels, Belgium; Dada Gastropub will feature food from Manila, Philippines; and Club David will feature foods from San Salvador, El Salvador. More details here.
  • Touch a truck. The Sioux Falls parks and recreation department is hosting a Touch-A-Truck event on Friday evening at Harmodon Park. From 6 to 8 p.m., families can swing by and explore all sorts of cool, big vehicles. Details here.
  • Have the time of your life. The Social is hosting a "Dirty Dancing" themed night on Thursday, complete with live music from Dueling Duos and a chance to immerse yourself in the classic movie. Details here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

How Bread Break’s food rescue program is a win for businesses
Bread Break makes it easy for local businesses to give excess food to people who need it rather than throwing it in the trash.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Why police are all-in on automated license plate readers – and restricting their use
Here’s a closer look at how automated license plate reader, e.g. Flock cameras, are used in Sioux Falls, what they do and don’t do, and how a new executive order from Mayor Christine Erickson aims to put strict guardrails in place to ensure the technology isn’t misused.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
What was tossed out of the 2027 city budget
The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday formally approved a nearly $800 million 2027 city budget, but not before several proposed amendments and a few last-minute changes. Here’s a look at what was tossed and what was kept.
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 Shepherd's Table!

Don't miss the Pizza Be With You fundraiser on Oct. 2 at the Good Earth Farm. The event will feature live music from Eric Holm, and your ticket includes entry to the event, pizza, one soft drink and one raffle ticket entry. Snag your tickets here.