Title: Freelance Reporter
Contact: michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org
Languages spoken: English and some French
Demographic expertise: South Dakota
Topic expertise: child care issues, South Dakota history/current events/politics, criminal justice and crime, college and high school sports and its cultural impact in South Dakota, data journalism, graphics, charts, maps
Demographic expertise: South Asian community (India, Pakistan, Nepal) through local cricket club, Sioux Falls immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, Indigenous issues in western South Dakota
Biography: Klinski brings a lifelong knowledge of South Dakota (both East River and West River) and 20 years of journalism experience to News Watch. He produces interactive graphics, visual elements and biweekly fact briefs. Klinski was born in England on a military base and moved to Ellsworth Air Force Base when he was 2. His family moved to Black Hawk near Rapid City when he was 4, and he graduated from Rapid City Stevens High School. He earned a degree in journalism at the University of South Dakota, where he was the editor of The Volante student newspaper. After a brief stint with the Fargo Forum, he moved to Sioux Falls to work at the Argus Leader in 2005. He stayed there for 17 years, working as a reporter, copy editor, page designer, social media coordinator, breaking news editor, content coach, graphic designer and digital news editor. While at the Argus Leader, he was employee of the year (2014), editorial writer of the year in South Dakota (2015) and won various statewide editing and reporting awards. In 2022, he took a voluntary buyout. One of his hobbies is playing cricket in Sioux Falls. He has four children: twins Ian and Hayden, Emma and Ethan.
Professional memberships: South Dakota American Advertising Federation
Archive of work: South Dakota News Watch
Michael Klinski
Total 88 Posts
Fact brief: Does SD have the longest stretch of Republican governors?
A Democratic governor has not held office in South Dakota in more than 47 years.
Fact brief: Is security at the Sioux Falls airport being paid during partial shutdown?
TSA agents have not been paid since the partial shutdown started on Feb. 14, but that doesn't every affect every airport.
Fact brief: Did tumbleweeds first appear in the US in South Dakota?
The tumbleweed is a common sight in South Dakota and other parts of the United States, but does the pesky plant originate here?
Fact brief: Are mountain lion attacks on humans common?
Though mountain lions in South Dakota mostly live in the western part of the state and the Black Hills, one was spotted March 18 in downtown Sioux Falls.
Fact brief: Has the rate of forest fires in the SD Black Hills increased?
According to the National Forest Service, there have been almost 60 fires of more than 100 acres from 2000-2024.
Fact brief: Does SD have some of the highest motorcycle ownership rates?
South Dakota has a short riding season, but does that matter with motorcycle ownership?
Fact brief: Are any nuclear missiles stored in South Dakota?
South Dakota had 15 launch control facilities and 150 missile silos after 1963. Do any remain?