Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: Dangerously hot, so why not throw potential storms into the mix
🍻 A cool thing: Fellow extraordinaire Makayla Voris and I will be hosting "Office Hours" at Severance Brewing Company Monday afternoon. This is a chance for you to come chat with us about all things Sioux Falls, ask questions about our new Sioux Falls 101 guide or just say cheers to Makayla as her time in Sioux Falls comes to an end (screaming, crying, throwing up – we'll miss her so much!)
- Come hang out! We'll be at Severance from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday. RSVP here. Or just show up and say hey!
This week, the city council heard from dozens of people decrying new state support for ICE deportation efforts, but the mayor and council say there's not much they can do. You'll also find a snippet of the discussion on a proposed ordinance to crack down on encampments. Plus, you'll meet a burgeoning nonprofit with goals to help middle schoolers get a foundation of STEM skills, and you'll learn about some fun new ways to hang at the zoo.
And now, news:
CITY
As residents decry 'Operation: Prairie Thunder,' what's the city government's role?
Simplified: Mayor Paul TenHaken and the eight-member city council heard from dozens of people opposing Gov. Larry Rhoden's new "Operation Prairie Thunder" – which offers state support to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – in a standing-room-only meeting Wednesday evening. But councilors and the mayor say their hands are tied when it comes to interfering with the governor's orders.
Why it matters
- TenHaken, as well as Police Chief Jon Thum stood alongside Rhoden in a press conference last week announcing Operation Prairie Thunder as a "comprehensive, targeted public safety initiative to protect South Dakotans," as Rhoden put it.
- Essentially, the two-part operation offers state highway patrol support for crime and drug enforcement via saturation patrols in Sioux Falls. Additionally, it'll offer highway patrol, national guard and state Department of Corrections support to ICE deportation efforts.
- It's the second part of the operation that spurred a flood of calls, emails and public comment from residents – many of whom shared powerful testimony about the fear this statewide effort creates, especially among the immigrant community and for people of color living in Sioux Falls.
"We are not criminals," said resident Sandra Ansua Fischer. "We are not rapists. We are not drug dealers. We are your neighbors. ... We are a part of the fabric of this city, and please stand with us."
- TenHaken said his office had nothing to do with the additional state support for ICE, and he's maintained that there's not really anything he or the city can do to stop it. State law prohibits sanctuary cities or any policies that go against deportation efforts. Though, TenHaken noted he'll pass along the comments the city has received opposing Operation Prairie Thunder.
"There’s a lot more that I wish we could share," TenHaken said during Wednesday's meeting. "Sometimes you maybe show up, and you don't have all the information at a press conference – let's just say that. ... As much as I can say, 'Stop this,' it's going to happen."
Is it true the city can't do anything?
COMMUNITY
This nonprofit will help kids learn how to learn
Simplified: A new nonprofit aims to get more middle schoolers from underserved communities on an honors trajectory by providing mentorship and tutoring in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Meet STEM the Gap.
Why it matters
- STEM the Gap was founded by Zak Okuwe, who experienced firsthand the challenges of college-level STEM classes when he left his post-high school job at Smithfield to pursue a degree in nursing.
- His experience inspired the creation of the nonprofit, which will pair middle schoolers with mentors at Augustana University, as well as provide various other enrichment experiences and summer programming.
- Okuwe hopes by building foundational STEM skills at a young age, it'll help set kids – particularly those living in poverty – up for success in the future by expanding their career prospects.
"STEM jobs are growing, and they're also well-paying," Okuwe said. "You can lift yourself out of poverty, but it does require hard work and discipline. These kids can have big dreams, but if they don't have the foundational knowledge to reach that dream, they're never gonna get there."
Tell me more about STEM the Gap
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
The zoo after hours with no kids? Say less.
This is a sponsored story from Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
Simplified: Sorry kids, this one's for the grown ups. The Great Plains Zoo has a new event series that gives adults a chance to experience the zoo after-hours – not to mention live music and adult beverages.
Why it matters
- The zoo has consistently heard from folks that they're looking for opportunities to not only visit the zoo after-hours, but also to visit in an adults-only setting. That's why this year, the zoo is holding three "Adult Night" events, each with a different fun theme.
- Each event gives visitors a chance to experience a one-of-a-kind night out – whether as a date, a friend outing, a happy hour crew or fun solo adventure – and the $35 ticket (if purchased in advance) includes zoo admission, a live concert performance, one drink and one specialty food item. Additional food and drink are also available for purchase.
- The Adult Night events also give visitors a unique opportunity to see some animals when they're likely to be quite active – particularly the bears, big cats, snow monkeys and more.
"Our animals overwhelmingly enjoy the cooler temperatures," said Denise DePaolo, director of PR and marketing. "They're feeling very comfortable and relaxed in their environment, and often (evening) is one of the best times to see them."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- As newspapers close, Sioux Falls paper steps up to help. The Dakota Scout announced it'll expand coverage after five newspapers abruptly shut down this week – including the Brookings Register and The Daily Plainsman in Huron.
- Strategic help or criminalizing homelessness? That was the big question at the heart of debate Wednesday night over a proposed city ordinance that would prohibit "certain structures" in public areas – essentially a crackdown on encampments. The proposal spurred quite a bit of public input calling the ordinance a way to criminalize homelessness rather than offer support.
- However, city Homelessness Coordinator Michelle Treasure said the ordinance is a tool that allows for "protecting public spaces while upholding the dignity and humanity of our most vulnerable," and the ordinance was also endorsed by Police Chief Jon Thum.
- Councilors agreed to advance the proposal to a second reading, but there were hesitations from Councilors Miranda Basye and Rich Merkouris.
- "At the moment, this is 100% personality based," Merkouris said, noting that the police department culture could change overnight under a different chief. "The effective collaboration is not baked in the system of government."
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
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