Vol. 2 · No. 5 · Nov. 1, 2026

A week of showing up.

Hi neighbor,

This week brought three public meetings on big decisions. I went to two, the viaducts on Tuesday and railroad crossings on Wednesday. The third, on data centers, I rewatched start to finish. Some rooms were packed. One was quiet.

Election Day is Tuesday. Here's what you need to vote, and what came out of this week.

01 · City Hall

What 180 neighbors told City Hall.

On Tuesday, the City Council and Lincoln County Commission met together on data centers. For one hour, officials pulled up chairs in small circles and just listened.

What they heard: who benefits, who's accountable, and a lot of opposition to large data centers. Most people at the microphone asked for a pause on permits until rules are written.

Every quote in my recap links to that moment in the City's video. You can download the full transcript too.

02 · Your turn

Two open houses. Two deadlines.

The viaducts. A busy room and sticky notes on every map. Nothing new was presented, so you can weigh in from home. Comments close Tue. Nov. 10. Read my recap.

Railroad crossings. A quiet room, but good talks with the study team. Their one ask: drop a pin on your crossing online so they hear about real places. Open until Mon. Nov. 30. Read my recap.

03 · Hype corner

The stage that raised us.

Next time you're downtown, look up at the north wall of the Orpheum Theater. There's a new mural there, and our kids helped make it.

Sioux Falls native Jenae Porter designed it. Before she drew a line, young actors from Spotlight Theatre Company, The Penguin Project and Premier Playhouse played theater games, made collages and told her what the Orpheum means to them. They picked the warm colors. Their own words are part of the design.

It's the kind of thing the arts community asked the mayor for last month. Art you don't need a ticket to see, shaped by the people who live here.

04 · Show up

Coming up.

Which railroad crossing do you use the most? Email me at together@risingtogethersf.com. I read every one.

See you around town,

Vince