Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Hot, humid and decidedly not fall

This week, you'll get the latest on ongoing discussions about closing Renberg Elementary. Plus, you'll meet a Washington High School running back who's starting the season with some big numbers.

And now, news:

EDUCATION

Sioux Falls School District looks to close Renberg Elementary by end of the year

Simplified: The Sioux Falls School Board this week re-opened discussions on closing Renberg Elementary at the end of the academic year. It's not a final decision yet, but here's what families need to know.

Why it matters

• The board initially started talking about closing Renberg last fall as the district looks to both save money and make sure all students have access to the same educational opportunities. The closure would save the district between $500,000 and $700,000 annually, in addition to about $2.6 million in capital outlay funding.
• Last year, Renberg had about 100 students, and so far this fall, it's down to about 83. Most of those students live closer to another school in the Sioux Falls School District, Assistant Superintendent Dan Conrad said Tuesday.
• Conrad, along with Superintendent Jamie Nold and board members, also noted that they haven't heard much feedback from parents since the discussion started last fall. But the district is looking to reach out proactively to seek feedback on the proposal to close Renberg.

"I focus on the word proposal because we’re just starting the conversation again," Conrad said. "This isn’t a done deal or anything like that. There’s a lot of conversations that still need to happen."

Tell me more

SPORTS

'A phenomenal kid': Meet the WHS running back who's ready to make some noise

By Tom A. Savage

Washington senior Godwin Zephania has been the definition of a patient football player.

Now, his time has come, and it seems the 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back for the Warriors is just getting started.

Zephania played behind Brayden Jackson last season, but made the most of his start last week against Rapid City Central at Howard Wood Field. He rushed for a game-high 151 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. His night was highlighted by an 86-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to put the Warriors up 28-0.

Asked if such a performance is a jolt of confidence for the rest of the season, Zephania sounded every bit the part of a running back ready to make some noise.

“I think I always have confidence,” he said. “I trust my teammates, and I trust my O-Line especially. We’ve been working together for a long time. I’m ready to work, and they’re ready to work.”

From Kansas City to Sioux Falls: Read the full story here

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

• Basketball art. The City of Sioux Falls this week celebrated the installation of new basketball backboards at several city parks. The backboards feature art designed by local kids with the help of local artist Les Cotton, who collaborated with kids during the Summit League tournament this spring. (Background here).
  • The 11 parks receiving these new backboards are: Heritage Park, Dan Dugan Park, Emerson Park, Meldrum Park, Mansor-Pioneer Park, Linwood Park, Dunham Park, Bakker Park, Thelin Park, Glenview Park and Jefferson Park.
• Meet CJ Schwan's.* CJ Schwan’s, makers of bibigo™ Asian-style food and RED BARON® Pizza, are opening a new plant in Sioux Falls in mid-2027. The plant will be the largest Asian-style food production facility in the country, bringing hundreds of jobs to the area. Learn more at cjschwans.com.
• Meet Versatile Solutions.* Growth often brings hidden financial friction and operational bottlenecks. As a Fractional CFO & COO, Darrin Brownlee partner with business owners ($2M–$15M) to eliminate daily chaos, streamline systems, and protect profitability. Stop outworking the friction and build a scalable business legacy. Get started with a complimentary Clarity Call.

*Denotes a paid partnership

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

• Pomegranate
• A new-fashioned
• Forcing fall even though it's hot AF

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

How Bread Break is feeding the hungry while preventing food waste

This year alone, the organization’s goal is to rescue 500,000 pounds of food.

Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

Sioux Falls’ mobile grocery store is back in business

The Sioux Falls Mobile Market is back on the road this week bringing affordable grocery stores to food deserts across town.

Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

Stuff to do: Sept. 2-8

Here’s a look at what’s going on in Sioux Falls this week.

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