Good morning, Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls sweethearts Sydney and Cody from Augustana University got engaged earlier this year; their TikTok video celebrating a QDOBA meal went viral.

QDOBA later surprised them with a photo session and a $1,000 gift card + a nod to their longstanding connection with the chain.

The 34th Annual First Bank & Trust Parade of Lights is set for Friday, Nov.

27 at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Sioux Falls along Phillips Avenue from 13th to 5th Street, and the free, family-friendly event will feature festive music and creative entries from local groups.

Sioux Falls will host the Our American Story mobile tour as part of America 250, where South Dakotans can share their family histories and perspectives on September 18 at Cracker Barrel and September 19 at Falls Park Farmers Market (recordings will be preserved at the Library of Congress).

Liz Carlson, a corporate leader turned workplace teacher, returns as a keynote at the WIN in Workforce Summit on Oct.

22 at downtown Canopy by Hilton. Her breakout session will help leaders bridge communication gaps among five workplace generations (Traditionalists, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z).

7 Brew Coffee is preparing to open its second Sioux Falls location later this year at 5100 E.

Arrowhead Parkway—after completing a building drop on Sept. 10 and starting to hire about 50 workers.

Gas prices in Sioux Falls jumped to $4.02 per gallon on Sept.

9 as they rose 23 cents in one week from $3.80. Diesel reached a record high of $5.54 amid rising crude oil costs tied to Middle East tensions.

News Watch and Dakota Wesleyan University are sponsoring the state spelling bee on Feb.

6, 2027, at DWU in Mitchell, and elementary, middle, + family home schools can now register to qualify. The champion will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington in May.

Thousands of South Dakota drivers purchased habitat plates without ordering the optional decals that generate conservation funds, missing about $415,000 for wildlife protection (state data from March 2025 show this gap).

The two-part process follows a law requiring highway fees to be kept separate.

On Sept. 10, the city of Baltic and the Baltic Area Development Foundation rejoined the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance to boost regional cooperation.

Local officials say the move will strengthen economic growth and create new opportunities for Baltic (15 miles north of Sioux Falls).

Residents can drop off leaves and branches for free starting Saturday, Sept.

12 through Nov. 29 at two seasonal sites—one at North Lyon Blvd near the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds and the other at Chambers St by the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

An entity linked to Vern Eide Motorcars acquired the 69-acre former Citibank campus at 701 E.

60th St. N. in northeast Sioux Falls on Sept. 10 — Jim Lake will soon finalize plans to repurpose the buildings.

Longtime Sioux Falls builder Paul Fick is showcasing his custom home at the Fall Parade of Homes, held Sept.

12-13 and Sept. 19-20 at 5416 S. Woodsedge Trail. The five-bedroom home features 4.5 baths and European craftsman design details, and a $5 fee supports local building programs.

Country singer Jordan Davis will join Two-Time US Open Champion Andy North in the EMC Greats of the Game at the Sanford International on Saturday, Sept.

12 at Minnehaha Country Club (approx. 2:30 pm tee time) during the tournament running until Sunday, Sept. 13, with tickets available now.

Professional golfer Fred Couples (a 15-time PGA winner) visited The Original Pancake House earlier this week as patrons enjoyed his surprise appearance amid the Sanford International event at Minnehaha Country Club.

2026 Leadership & Culture Summit

The 2026 Leadership & Culture Summit is a full-day experience designed to give leaders practical strategies to strengthen their teams, workplace culture, and ability to navigate today’s workforce challenges. Through an energizing keynote, interactive sessions, and peer discussion, attendees will walk away with actionable tools for attracting and retaining talent, leading through change, and building workplaces where people want to stay and grow.