Recent developments in the state's news and information industry.
SDPB debates scheduled
SDPB has scheduled three debates for the top statewide races in this year's election that will be archived and available afterward. They will all be in person at SDPB studios in Sioux Falls, 602 N. Phillips Ave., and broadcast/streamed live at 8-9 p.m. Central:
- Monday, Sept. 14: U.S. Senate
- Monday, Sept. 28: Governor
- Thursday, Oct. 1: U.S. House
CBS TV in western SD moves stations
CBS programming in western South Dakota has moved from Sioux Falls-based Keloland Media Group to KNBN-TV in Rapid City, which is also the NBC affiliate owned by Fargo, North Dakota-based Forum Communications.
KCLO-TV, Channel 15.1, now carries programming from The CW Network as well as more programming from Keloland. Channel 15.2, KELOXTRA, is also now available in western South Dakota and offers additional local news, sports, weather and other programming, according to the company.
Forum also owns the Mitchell Republic, Pierre Capital Journal, Madison Daily Leader, Sioux Falls Live and KSFL-TV in Sioux Falls as well as Midwest Sports+.
Brookings and Watertown radio stations sold
In Brookings and Watertown, Connoisseur Media has agreed to sell its radio stations to separate, locally owned groups.
Brookings Radio LLC now operates KBRK-AM, KBRK-FM, KDBX-FM, KJJQ-AM and KKQQ-FM. That group is owned and operated by Cami Powers, her husband, Derrick Powers, and her brother, Chad Hogie.
In Watertown, stations KWAT-AM, KSDR-AM, KSDR-FM, KIXX-FM, KDLO-FM and KKSD-FM are being sold to Yankton-based Riverfront Broadcasting. Riverfront also owns and operates radio stations in Yankton, Huron, Pierre, Rapid City, Spearfish and Blue Earth, Minnesota.
SD NewsMedia Association looking for new leader, setting up foundation
David Bordewyk, who has led the South Dakota NewsMedia Association for more than 30 years as its executive director, is retiring in June.
“Serving our association’s members and advocating for community newspapers, news media organizations and local community journalism has been a passion and a privilege. It won't be easy to leave this position, but now is the right time for that transition to happen,” Bordewyk said in the announcement.
SDNA hopes to hire someone by early 2027, which will allow for a transition period during the legislative session.
SDNA also recently received notice that its newly created nonprofit South Dakota NewsMedia Foundation Inc. has received its designation from the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions and gifts.
That will allow the association to step up philanthropy efforts on behalf of newspapers and local news media organizations in the state.
Rapid City Journal promotes editor
The Rapid City Journal has promoted Shalom Baer Gee as the top editor of the Lee Enterprises-owned newspaper, replacing Mike Brownlee, who is the new executive editor position at the Billings Gazette sister paper in Montana.
Baer Gee grew up in Montana, graduated from Minot State University and worked in North Dakota before starting at the Journal more than four years ago. She began as a reporter on the public safety beat, later shifted to coverage of local government and moved to education when she became assistant editor in April 2025.
Journalist Tom Lawrence dies
Longtime South Dakota journalist and political commentator Tom Lawrence died recently at age 68 from stage 4 pancreatic cancer, according to his obituary.
He won numerous awards for his work in newspapers and most recently co-founded and wrote The South Dakota Standard blog.
New guide of all South Dakota news and information outlets
In response to questions about the media landscape in the state, South Dakota News Watch put together a new guide (below) with sources of news and information.
It includes an updated interactive map as well as a drop-down menu of newspapers, broadcasters, digital sites, magazines and blogs across South Dakota. It's the latest of guides we're adding to the website about various topics.
Carson Walker
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, subscribe for free and donate at sdnewswatch.org. Contact CEO Carson Walker: 605-610-9366/ carson.walker@sdnewswatch.org.
