Title: Reporter
Contact: 605-736-4396 / emily.decock@sdnewswatch.org
Language spoken: English
Demographic expertise: South Dakota and rural areas
Topic expertise: Higher education, civic programs and local government
Biography: Emily DeCock grew up in southwest Minnesota and graduated in 2026 from South Dakota State University in Brookings, where she lives. She interned for News Watch in 2025 after receiving the SDSU Foundation's Jeffrey B. Nelson Investigative Journalism Endowed Internship, and the Chuck Raasch and Sandy Johnson Scholarship. As an intern, DeCock wrote investigative and data-centered news stories. Many focused on how federal funding and policy changes affected South Dakota programs and residents. In 2025-2026, she was the editor-in-chief of Collegian Media at SDSU and heavily involved in expanding Collegian Media’s platforms, helping to establish a weekly newscast and newsletter. DeCock has reported on higher education, criminal investigations, local government and more. In her full-time position at News Watch, DeCock reports stories and leads social media efforts.
Professional memberships: Investigative Reporters and Editors
Archive of work: South Dakota News Watch; Collegian Media
Emily DeCock
Total 20 Posts
Bill in Congress would help SD keep more of its top college athletes
Tumultuous regulation changes in recent years have set the stage for legislation that could stabilize the national landscape of college sports.
South Dakota Hall of Fame's location looms large for inductee
Dr. Daniel Petereit is 1 of 10 being honored in the Class of 2026: 'The thing that's ironic is, for me, it all kind of started in Chamberlain in that stretch of the river.'
Fact brief: Did any SD ballot issue pass by 60% in past 5 years?
A constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot would raise the threshold for passing such measures.
Fact brief: Do people who make over $500K per year qualify for Affordable Care Act subsidies?
Temporary legislation from 2021 to 2025 changed rules on who is eligible for breaks on health insurance.
Fact brief: Are there maternity care deserts in South Dakota?
Regions with no obstetric clinicians or birthing facilities are most prominent in the Midwest and South.
Fact brief: Is it legal to wear only body paint as clothing at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?
The rally started Aug. 7 and runs through Aug. 16 in the Black Hills town.
Woman's response to COVID: 4,000 mile-trip through SE South Dakota
What started as a pickup ride to get out of the house during the pandemic turned into a mission to spread joy and inspire.