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 111 Posts
Fact brief: Was a SD storm's wind gust among the strongest in US history?
Photos posted by multiple media outlets show numerous trees uprooted, roofs ripped off buildings, grain silos folded in and downed wind turbines.
Fact brief: Will lots be drawn if the Sioux Falls mayoral race ends in a tie?
The Sioux Falls City Council is expected to certify the election results next week, at which point the losing candidate must file a written request for a recount.
Fact brief: Does SD require a high school diploma to homeschool a child?
South Dakota’s rate of homeschooled students increased 143% from 2015-16 to 2023-24, according to a database compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the highest increase of any state that reported data.
Fact brief: Can Democrats change parties and vote in the SD Republican primary?
South Dakota is one of about 10 states that are in a partially closed primary system.
Fact brief: Has anyone from South Dakota played in MLS?
When it comes to professional athletes, South Dakota has produced no shortage of standouts in football, basketball and baseball, but the same can’t be said for soccer.
Fact brief: Is it possible to add a fifth face to Mount Rushmore?
Trump has made several references to being on Mount Rushmore over the years, including sharing in May an AI-generated image of himself on the mountain next to Lincoln.
Fact brief: Did Larry Rhoden beat Toby Doeden in West River voting?
Toby Doeden and Larry Rhoden will meet on July 28 for the right to challenge Democrat Dan Ahlers in November’s general election.