Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: Oh, I wasn't depressed, I just needed literally one day above freezing
This week, we've officially entered election season for the 2026 municipal election, and Sioux Falls Simplified will be your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about candidates, campaign finance (big money already flowing into this race) the process, etc. Right now, all you need to do is make sure your voter registration is up-to-date.
- You'll also find info on what schools are watching in Pierre, as well as the Burger Battle winner (but we all know the local news burger is the real winner in my heart).
And now, news:
CITY
What we know so far in the 2026 city election
Simplified: With nominating petitions officially out and about, the race is on to determine Sioux Falls' next mayor and new City Council members. Here's what we know so far about the 2026 municipal election, how much money has been raised so far, and what to watch between now and Election Day on June 2.
Why it matters
- The 2026 city election has the potential to see dramatic change in city leadership. Not only will Sioux Falls have a new mayor, but half of the available City Council seats are up-for-grabs with only one incumbent running – bringing a lot of new faces to the bodies that set priorities, determine funding and legislate the city.
- This also marks the first time the city election is on the same ballot as the statewide races in the South Dakota primary election. State law changed last year, requiring cities to coordinate with either the primary or general elections in an effort to increase voter turnout.
- It's a pretty crowded field of candidates already – though it's also too soon to tell if all of them will get the signatures they need to get on the ballot. So far, there are about a dozen council candidates and seven declared mayoral candidates.
- And, the money is already rolling in. So far, candidates have disclosed a combined more than $319,000 in campaign funds raised, with contributions from people in 18 different states.
“Voting is one of the most important ways to make your voice heard in our community,” said City Clerk Jermery Washington. “I encourage everyone to register, verify their information, and participate in this year’s elections.”
So, who's running? And who's raking in the cash?
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
This YMCA basketball tourney has built community for nearly a century
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Family YMCA.
Simplified: The Sioux Falls Family YMCA's Tri-State Basketball Tournament has been bringing the community together to support young athletes for nearly a century. Here's a closer look at the tournament and its multi-generational impact on Sioux Falls.
Why it matters
- The Tri-State Tournament started in 1930 with only 16 teams. Today, it has about 100 teams including boys and girls in 2nd through 8th grade. Each team plays a minimum of three games over the course of the 24-hour tournament in gyms across town.
- The tournament also relies on dozens of volunteers – some of whom have been volunteering for decades. The Archer family has played a pivotal role in finding the volunteers who make the event possible, starting with Will Archer who used to track everyone helping with the tournament on a yellow legal pad – his "Tri-State bible," his grandson Mike Archer recalled.
- Today, Will's son John Archer leads the charge on finding volunteers – a baton he plans to pass on to his son Mike. Both men have been involved in the tournament their whole lives, and they've seen it become a family affair not just for them, but for many families in the region. People who played in the tournament as kids now get to watch their own kids (and even grandkids) participate in the same experiences.
"A lot of these people that are volunteering or helping out have some tie to Tri-State," Mike said. "They've coached. They played as kids. They have a grandson, niece, nephew playing. Almost every volunteer we have has been impacted by Tri-State."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- 🍔Record-breaking burgers. Sioux Fallsians bought more than 95,700 burgers in January, with over $1.75 million spent on burgers alone and resulting in an estimated $3.7 million economic impact. The big winner? Swamp Daddy's Bayou Stack Burger.
- Rounding out the top five were CH Patisserie, Chef Lance on Phillips, Crawford's and Sanaa's.
- In addition, Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. also awarded Zandbroz Variety as the winner of the inaugural storefront competition. 🎶 How much is that burger in the window? 🎶
- Sioux Falls Simplified also won best Local News Burger. (Ok, I made that part up, but you guys would've voted for me, right?)
- Augie announces Boe Forum speaker. U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis, the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander. His talk, entitled “Geopolitics Beyond the Horizon: 21st Century Global Risk and Opportunity,” will take place at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 26, in the Elmen Center on Augustana’s campus. It's free to attend, but you'll need a ticket. Details and tickets here.
- Looking to upgrade your kitchen?* Cook’s & Baker’s Kitchen offers premium cookware, bakeware, gadgets, and unique culinary finds. You'll also find chef-led, hands-on cooking classes and events – all in a warm, welcoming space. Learn more about classes and hours here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How subscriptions make locally raised beef more accessible
This is a paid piece from Redmond Prime Cuts.
Simplified: You don't need an extra freezer in the basement to get a quarter beef share anymore. With Redmond Prime Cuts' unique subscription service, you can get high quality, locally raised beef delivered monthly to your door.
Why it matters
- Founder Justin Redmond grew up on what's now a third-generation farm in Henry, South Dakota. His dad and brother now run the farm, and several years ago Redmond began raising some cattle from the same bloodline on his own acreage north of Sioux Falls.
- Redmond started selling beef to friends and family, and the demand grew to the point where he decided earlier this year to leave his job in the banking sector and go full-time in his own business: Redmond Prime Cuts, which specializes in high quality beef that's raised locally, ethically and sustainably.
- Through that process, Redmond realized there were some significant barriers to folks being able to buy beef in bulk. When purchasing beef from a local farm, a bulk beef share is the most efficient and cost-effective way to purchase. On average, a customer saves 30% by purchasing a bulk beef share rather than buying the cuts individually. However, storage and the need to pay in full upfront can be issues. Redmond is helping people overcome those barriers with a new subscription service.
"We are the first and only ones who offer this type of subscription model," Redmond said. "We offer the benefits of buying bulk beef, but just in 12 month installments."
How do subscriptions work?
PRICE PREDICTOR
Can you guess the sale price of this Sioux Falls home?
This is a sponsored segment from Bethany Headrick with EXP Realty.
This designer upgraded, 3 year old ranch style home in eastern Sioux Falls has 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 3,600 square feet. Can you guess the sale price? Click your answer below to see if you're right.
Want to see your listing shared here? Email megan@sfsimplified.com.
EDUCATION
What Sioux Falls schools are watching in Pierre
Simplified: Education makes up about half the state's budget, so it only makes sense that a large number of the bills filed in South Dakota's state legislative session have to do with schools. Here's a look at some of the bills and common themes the Sioux Falls School District is tracking.
Why it matters
- Over 500 pieces of legislation have been filed after lawmakers saw the deadline to file bills come and go this week. The Sioux Falls School District has taken a position on more than 80 of those bills that impact education – and more often than not, the stance is "oppose" or "neutral," according to a spreadsheet shared on the district website.
- Overall, the district is in against any legislation that would pull funding from K-12 public schools, Business Manager Todd Vik said. This is particularly relevant during a budget cycle in which the governor has proposed a 0% increase in state aid to education – a move counter to state law requiring increases of either 3% or inflation, whichever is less.
- The district is also opposing anything that requires school districts to play by different rules than other local governments. That includes opposition to a bill that would require only school district opt outs to go to a public vote. That bill, SB 85, died in the House earlier this week but lists an intent to reconsider.
"It's one of those, 'do as I say not as I do,' bills, and there's a lot of them in the legislature," Vik said. "And this is probably the worst one."
Tell me more
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
- Steve
- Lemons (seriously, this show is very good)
- Ice cream for breakfast
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Dakota State University, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Redmond Prime Cuts, 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
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