Happy Friday! Megan here. First things first: This issue is brought to you by the Prism Community Center and the Transformation Project. The Prism Community Center and Transformation Project are hosting a 5K Rainbow Run on Saturday, June 1 to kick off Pride Month. The event is a fundraiser to benefit the Prism Center's work in supporting and creating space for the Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ community. Learn more and register to run here. (Plus, scroll to the bottom for a special promo code). Weather check: Rain – and maybe storms – this weekend This weekend, you'll find a guide to Tuesday's prima ..read more

Simplified: Steve Hamersma may have retired from teaching, but he's still finding ways to flex his muscles as an educator by leading a book club at Good Samaritan Society - Prairie Creek. Why it matters Hamersma spent decades teaching English and French, as well as coaching oral interpretation and debate. Now, he's running a book club for a dozen fellow residents at a Sioux Falls Good Samaritan facility with the help of Siouxland Libraries' "Book Club To-Go" bags. Not only has the book pushed him to read more, Hamersma said, but it's also been a way to build community with the other independ ..read more

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. Simplified: New developments in Brandon will bring lots of housing units, space for new business and new park features. Meanwhile, the city is also prioritizing maintaining its existing neighborhoods. Why it matters Brandon saw a decline in building permits in 2023 after high numbers the years prior – a trajectory very similar to what happened in Sioux Falls post-pandemic. Even in the first quarter, Brandon is already well on track to beat last year's numbers. The city saw 13 building permits for homes through March of this year, and ..read more

This is a paid piece from the Great Plains Zoo. Simplified: Summer is in full swing at the Great Plains Zoo. The new splash pad is now open, the lion exhibit is almost ready to open, and there's a range of events throughout the month of June sure to entertain all ages. Here's a look at what's happening. Why it matters There's a lot to celebrate at the zoo this summer, as it adds new amenities, welcomes new animals and looks to the future with its recently-released master plan. Between the zoo and its partners at the Butterfly House and Aquarium, there are events throughout the entire month o ..read more

Simplified: Candidates statewide are vying to represent South Dakotans in the state legislature, and closer to home there are several folks looking to serve on the Lincoln and Minnehaha County Commissions. Sioux Falls Simplified reached out to all of the Sioux Falls-area candidates to help you get to know them a little better ahead of the June 4 primary election. Why it matters While the primary election is essentially a precursor to the November ballot – given the makeup of South Dakota politics, this election is really where most decisions get made about who will represent the state's resi ..read more

Simplified: One of the highest points in Sioux Falls just got a new vantage point thanks to the work of a local teen pursuing his Eagle Scout. Here's how Ian Klinski brought a viewfinder to the top of Great Bear Recreation Park. Why it matters Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts, and one of the requirements to earn this title is to complete a project that benefits the community. Klinski, an incoming Roosevelt High School senior, has been involved in the scouts since first grade. It took a couple years of fundraising, planning and hard work, and earlier this month, Kl ..read more

This is a paid piece from Midco. Simplified: When Darin and Kari Palmer founded a nonprofit in memory of their late son, Darin's team at Midco rallied around them to show support. Four years later, the team's support has only grown stronger. Tell me more about the nonprofit The couple started Journey of Hope in 2020 with the mission of meeting people where they're at, giving them space to be heard, and inspiring hope and possibility for the future. They accomplish this by providing basic necessities and hygiene products to people who are unhoused, re-joining society after incarceration, stru ..read more

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. Simplified: A one-day camp from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and Forward Sioux Falls will help middle schoolers see all of the ways what they're learning in school could translate to a future career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Here's what you need to know about "Your Future STEM." Why it matters By the time kids leave middle school, their academic path is largely already set. That's why it's so important to make sure kids are exposed to different career paths, experiences and project-based le ..read more

Simplified: School's out, and summer is in full swing. Here's a roundup of fun things you can do in town without spending a dime. Catch a concert. Levitt at the Falls hosts 50 free outdoor concerts each summer, and this year's season kicks off May 31. You can find a full lineup here. You can also find live music during Mondays at McKennan, as well as Fridays on the Plaza downtown. Splash around. You will have to pay at least a day rate to use the city pools, but there are also a couple of options for water fun that don't require any payment. Pioneer Spray Park, Hayward Park splash pad and th ..read more

Happy Wednesday! Megan here. Weather check: Not done with rain for the week Summer check: What are some fun things you like to do during the summer? I'm compiling a bunch of free activities, and I'd love any thoughts you wanna share or ideas you have. Reply to this email! This week, you'll get to know the new city councilors a bit more as they start their first full week on the job. You'll also meet the man behind an organization looking to help folks support businesses who are allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Plus, find our weekly roundup of events. And now, news: CITY They're in. Now, here's ..read more