Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Warm with rain on the way for the weekend

âś…Election check: We are mere days away from the June 2 election. Are you ready? Do you have your plan to vote? Do you know who you're voting for? Do you have any questions on anything that aren't answered here?

Your complete guide to the 2026 city election
Here’s your complete guide to the local city and school board races you’ll see on the June 2 ballot.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
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This week, it's all about the kids – and, honestly, I can't be the only parent out here kinda struggling with having kids home this week now that school is out, right? You'll get a look at a new study showing the challenges South Dakota parents face in finding summer and after-school care. Plus, don't miss a look at the brand new McKennan Park wading pool.

And now, news:

CITY

Get a look at the new McKennan Park wading pool

Simplified: Toddler parents, rejoice! After a summer of being closed – and a major glow-up – the McKennan Park wading pool is back open starting this afternoon. Here's a look at some of the features in the brand new pool.

Why it matters

  • The new pool was initially discussed as part of a $68 million aquatics bond, and ultimately the $4.4 million wading pool in McKennan Park was funded through a combination of city funds and up to $2.5 million in private donations. Other upcoming pool improvements include a new Kuehn Park pool that's currently under construction and a new indoor aquatic center at Frank Olson Park.
  • The previous McKennan Park wading pool was built in 1971, and served families as a free city amenity for more than 50 years. The new pool and bath house will remain free to the public.
  • Features of the new pool include: zero-depth entry, an oversized two-person slide, spray features, shade, comfortable seating and turf within the fenced-in pool area. It's also about 500 square feet larger than the previous pool.
“This project preserves one of Sioux Falls’ most cherished summer traditions while creating a safer, more accessible and engaging experience for families to enjoy,” said Brett Kollars, assistant director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Tell me more

COMMUNITY

How South Dakota's childcare crisis is impacting school-aged kids

Simplified: Childcare challenges don't end when a kid starts kindergarten. A new study details the challenges South Dakota families face in finding quality care for their kids before and after school and during the summer months.

silhouette of people standing on brown wooden fence during sunset
Photo by Jess Zoerb / Unsplash

Why it matters

  • There are 42,000 school-aged children in the state who are not in an after-school program, but would be if one was available, accessible, and/or affordable. Meanwhile, about 80% of children in the state have all parents in the household working, according to a report released this week from the South Dakota Child Care Task Force.
  • One of the biggest barriers to families finding out-of-school time care is cost. The average annual cost of center-based programs is $7,862 per year, while school-based care is more affordable at an average of $3,306 per year.
  • Sen. Tim Reed, a state lawmaker from Brookings, was one of about 20 people who helped pull the report together after realizing the state's 2023 Child Care Task Force didn't address the unique challenges of finding care for kids outside of the school day. Reed added that the report shows wide bipartisan support for state supported out-of-school time care.
"I look at this in such an overall look of what can we do to make sure children are more successful," Reed said, citing recent conversations in the state legislature about funding a new prison and noting the importance of "going upstream" to support kids as a means of crime prevention.

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Check out Kids2College.* Kids2College Furniture is hosting a grand opening for its new location on 41st Street on Thursday, June 4, and it's going to be a party. Kona Shaved Ice and The Corndog Company food truck will be there, and the first 100 people will get a free treat voucher. There will also be carnival games, prizes for kids and an extra $100 off any crib, bunk or loft bed for one day only. Learn more and check out the largest selection of children's furniture in the state here.
  • Watch out, mosquitoes. The city will soon start spraying for mosquitoes as part of its annual mosquito control program. You can see where spraying will occur and sign up for alerts on the city's website. You can also take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, including:
    • Avoid mosquito exposure during peak activity hours in the early morning and evening,
    • Wear long sleeves and pants to reduce exposed skin,
    • Use insect repellent,
    • Remove standing water from your property to eliminate breeding areas,
    • Or, do your own mosquito spraying if needed.

*Denotes a paid partnership.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Why the next big school bond will be for more than Whittier
The Sioux Falls School District has been talking about the need to replace the century-old Whittier Middle School building for years. But a recent task force convened to look at school district facilities took a much broader scope.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Stuff to do: May 27-June 2
Here’s a look at what’s going on in Sioux Falls this week.
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Simplified: County auditor weighs in on ballot concerns
Your TL;DR headlines for the week
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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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