Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Now THIS is the fall weather I've been craving

This week, it's here, babyyyyyy. You won't find this level of election coverage in any other news outlet in the state. Sioux Falls Simplified conducted face-to-face interviews with every (willing) candidate in the metro area, and IT'S. ALL. HERE. Now excuse me while I go sleep for 15 hours straight.

And now, news:

2026 SD ELECTION

Your (wildly comprehensive) guide to Sioux Falls-area state legislative candidates

Simplified: The Nov. 3 election will determine who is in charge of making laws, balancing the budget and representing the people of South Dakota in Pierre. Sioux Falls Simplified conducted face-to-face interviews with about three dozen of those candidates across 10 districts in the Sioux Falls metro area.

Why it matters

• The methodology is important here, and it's thorough reporting you'll only find from Sioux Falls Simplified.
• All candidates answered the same slate of questions – compiled with input from Sioux Falls Simplified readers – which should allow you to easily compare and find the candidates that most closely align with your personal political views.
• Candidates spoke directly to Sioux Falls Simplified in face-to-face interviews that were then transcribed and summarized. No candidates had access to the questions ahead of time, and party affiliations aren't emphasized in this coverage to leave room for open-minded comparison of the candidates.
• This careful methodology ensures that no candidate could rely on artificial intelligence or other third-party resources to craft their responses – something only guaranteed by a conversation.
  • In many of the districts covered in this guide, Sioux Falls Simplified is the only local news outlet committed to face-to-face interviews. (So share this far and wide if you find it helpful!)

Take me to the guide

(There's even a cutie little interactive map to help you find your legislative district!!)

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

Learn to get along even when you disagree at this Augie event

This is a paid piece from Augustana University's Critical Inquiry and Citizenship Colloquium.

Simplified: Two powerhouse public intellectuals, who remain friends despite political differences, will be speaking about how to have constructive dialogue at Augustana University later this month as part of the Fourth Annual Critical Inquiry and Citizenship Colloquium.

Why it matters

• The colloquium – which is free and open to the public – will feature speakers Robert P. George and Cornel West. George is a professor at Princeton University as well as a scholar on constitutional law, political philosophy and the role of faith in public life. West, widely known for his work on democracy and justice, also ran for president as an independent candidate in 2024. The two men are friends and co-authored a book on how to disagree that was published in 2025.
• It's no accident this conversation is happening on Oct. 15, just a few weeks ahead of the midterm election, said Stephen Minister, an Augustana philosophy professor who helped organize the colloquium.
• Recognizing that our society is in a deeply divided time, politically, the hope is this event can help people begin to start bridging the gaps in their own lives and learn to ask questions and build connections not from a place of judgment, but from a place of genuine curiosity.

"These two exemplify for us – as incredibly intelligent influential thinkers and great teachers – that second way of asking the question: 'Tell me more. I’m listening with curiosity and care,'" said Dave O'Hara, an Augustana philosophy professor who also helped organize the colloquium. "It's good for us to have that modeled in front of us."

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

• Celebrate these awesome women. EmBe hosted its annual The EMBES: A Tribute to Women event Thursday night, and out of 72 impressive nominees, nine were announced as winners. You can see the winners here, and find a full list of nominees on EmBe's website.
• It's fire prevention week. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue this week shared tips on preventing fires and staying safe. It's a good reminder to test your smoke alarms, change batteries if needed. And speaking of batteries – this year's theme is looking at safety around lithium-ion batteries, which has been an increasing cause of fires in recent years. Learn more about how to safely dispose of and use these batteries on the city website.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

• Mean Girls
• Marching bands
• Cuttlefish

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Mayor Erickson wants to hear from you in new ‘Sioux Falls Listens’ events

Mayor Christine Erickson this week announced a new “Sioux Falls Listen” events series aimed at hearing directly from residents what they want to see in city leadership, as well as to give the community a chance to shape the city’s future.

Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

Stuff to do: Sept. 30-Oct. 6

Here’s a look at what’s happening this week.

Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

This week in HS football: A good ol’ fashioned American rivalry

The War Eagle Trophy is up for grabs as Brandon Valley and Harrisburg face off in the Great American Rivalry Series for the eighth time. Meanwhile, SF Christian is undefeated – can they maintain it?

Sioux Falls SimplifiedTom A. Savage

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• 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.
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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.

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. ❤️