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: Does eating out cost an average of $28 in South Dakota?
Canadian businessman and television personality Kevin O’Leary sparked a national debate after saying young people overspend on meals instead of saving and investing.
Fact brief: Is SD's point-of-sale tax rate at an all-time high?
An ad from Dusty for Governor claims that Larry Rhoden's and Jon Hansen supported legislation that led to the "highest tax rate in South Dakota's history."
Fact brief: Did Dusty Johnson lead the House in charter-flight expenses?
A claim from an ad attacking South Dakota gubernatorial candidate Dusty Johnson claims the House representative spent more on chartered flight than any of his cohorts.
Fact brief: Has SD ever elected a woman to the US Senate?
As of 2026, 64 women from 34 states have served in the United States Senate.
Fact brief: Was an east-west split of Dakota Territory considered?
A retrospective released by the state of South Dakota on the 125th anniversary of statehood noted that other proposals had support.
Fact brief: Does SD have any laws about Automatic License Plate Readers?
Flock Safety’s Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) are operational in 49 states, including South Dakota.
Fact brief: Has SD always used lethal injection for executions?
Jack McCall was the state's first execution in 1877. He was convicted of killing Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood.