Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: Ok, wind, we get it. You can calm down already, jeez.
This week, the election coverage continues with a look at the Central District City Council candidates. Next week, look for Southeast District candidates and (fingers crossed) Sioux Falls School Board as well. Plus, don't miss a look at the new indoor playground on the west side.
And now, news:
2026 CITY ELECTION
Meet the Central District City Council candidates
Simplified: Five people are looking to fill one open seats representing Sioux Falls' core neighborhoods on the Sioux Falls City Council. Four of the five candidates sat down with Sioux Falls Simplified for interviews covering a wide range of topics from affordable housing to data centers and much more.
Why it matters
- Four of the eight City Council seats are up for election this year. That means as many as half of the seats could see new faces. The city's Central District is guaranteed to have a new face serving in that open seat because outgoing Councilor Curt Soehl is term-limited and thus unable to seek re-election.
- The Central District is, unsurprisingly, in the central part of town, encompassing downtown, Terrace Park and Sherman Park on the west side, the Big Sioux River on the east side and Spencer Park on the south end. It's not a perfect rectangle, so if you're uncertain about which district you live in, you can double-check using this map.
- The five candidates looking to fill the Central District seat are (in alphabetical order) Zach DeBoer, Tommy Kunz, Matthew McKinley, Zak Okuwe and Bob Trzynka.
- This guide aims to make it easy to feel smart about how the candidates feel on a wide variety of relevant policy issues. If you prefer to listen/watch full interviews, you'll find them in this YouTube playlist.
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:
- Homelessness
- Affordable Housing
- Public Safety
- Collaboration between Sioux Falls police and federal immigration officials
- Public art
- Sustainability
- Childcare
- A downtown convention center
- Data centers
- Smithfield and the future of downtown
See full coverage of Central District candidates 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 three-bedroom, three-bath home located near Lincoln High School offers an open-concept main level that’s perfect for entertaining. The living room features a cozy fireplace and flows into a kitchen with quartz counters and updated backsplash, and the property is complete with a two-stall garage. The HOA takes care of lawn care, snow removal, and road maintenance, providing easy, low-maintenance living year-round. Can you guess the price?
Want to see your listing shared here? Email megan@sfsimplified.com.
CITY
Get a look at the city's new indoor playground
Simplified: West-side parents, rejoice! The City of Sioux Falls this month opened a new indoor playground at the Westside Recreation Center. It's one of several upgrades to the facility the city purchased just over a year ago. Here's a closer look.
Why it matters
- The city purchased the center from Sanford for $9 million in late 2024 as a way to bring more indoor recreation to Sioux Falls. An additional $3 million for repairs to the building was included in an aquatics bond passed last year.
- Those improvements include adding a 1,600-square-foot indoor playground designed for kids age 11 and younger. The city also made improvements to the parking lot, updated carpet and lighting, resurfaced the gym, and is in the process of replacing the roof.
- Last year, the recreation center saw more than 188,000 visitors and now has more than 4,400 passholders. And the demand for indoor recreation keeps growing with a 19% increase in traffic so far this year.
“The indoor playground enhances our ability to serve young families by giving children more ways to play, explore and stay active year‑round,” said Brett Kollars, assistant director for the city’s parks and recreation department. “We’re excited to continue improving this facility so it remains a welcoming space for all residents.”
Show me the playground
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. ❤️
