Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: A warm, sunny weekend ahead
This week, you'll get a look at if your neighbors turned out to vote. Plus, get the inside scoop on the new Carver Gallery at City Hall, and you'll find a few Super Simplified stories before you log off for a warm and gorgeous weekend.
And now, news:
2026 CITY ELECTION
Map: How many people in your neighborhood turned out to vote?
Simplified: Across the state, about 1 in 3 registered voters cast a ballot on Tuesday. On the whole, that's about how things shook out in Sioux Falls, but a closer look at precinct-level data shows some neighborhoods were more likely to turn out and vote than others.
Why it matters
- Last year, state lawmakers voted to require cities and school boards to hold their elections in tandem with either the June primary election or the November general election. One of the stated goals for this change was to increase voter turnout.
- It appears to have worked. Statewide turnout on Tuesday was over 34%, which is the highest primary election turnout since 2008, according to analysis from South Dakota Searchlight.
- Within Sioux Falls, though, participation in the June 2 election varied dramatically across town. Precincts in the southeast side of town saw turnout as high as 52.6%, while parts of northern Sioux Falls saw turnout as low as 15%.
Show me the map
COMMUNITY
Why the first floor of City Hall is now an art gallery
Simplified: The city this week celebrated the opening of the Carver Gallery, a free, public art gallery featuring exclusively local Sioux Falls artists. Here's what you need to know about how it all came together.
Why it matters
- More accessible public art is one of many goals outlined in a recently approved citywide arts and culture master plan, and Arts Coordinator Maren Engel said the Carver Gallery checks a few boxes in the plan – namely, supporting local artists and creating free ways for the public to experience art.
- Mayor Paul TenHaken initially opened the gallery, named after Sioux Falls art advocate Charlotte Carver, in 2019. But, in part due to the pandemic, it fell to the back burner until recently, Engel said.
- Now, though, the art on display in the Carver Gallery will be updated every six months featuring Sioux Falls artists. The first display features 12 local artists across a variety of mediums, including Caitlin Pisha, who said she's honored to be participating in a gallery celebrating Carver and her contributions to the local arts community.
"I was so excited when I saw this call for art, especially with the plan to purchase pieces for the City's collection," Pisha said. "It shows that the City cares about artists and sees the value of what we do."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Are you a business owner who needs a break?* Take one! Startup Sioux Falls is hosting a Founders Reset on June 22 to give business owners a full day to recharge, reset and remember why they started their business in the first place. See the full lineup of speakers and grab your tickets on the Startup Sioux Falls website.
- Councilors OK Minnesota Avenue median study. The Sioux Falls City Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution to study Minnesota Avenue from Seventh Street to 39th Street to get a better understanding on the impact of a median in the road. Councilor Curt Soehl said he's opposed to a median down the road, but "really (has) no hard data," as he told councilors. This study would provide that hard data on the impact of medians on local businesses. Background here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
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 two bedroom, one bathroom house has a lot of potential to make it your own or to become an investment property. It's located at 209 N. Euclid Ave. Can you guess the price?
Want to see your listing shared here? Email megan@sfsimplified.com.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
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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.
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