Kristi Hine, who has served as vice chair of the South Dakota News Watch board of directors since January 2025, formally took over as chair on Monday upon the resignation of Nick Kotzea, who has filed as a candidate for the Legislature.
Kotzea, chief operating officer and general counsel for the University of South Dakota Foundation, had to step down to avoid a conflict of interest. He had just started serving his third, three-year term and was in his second year as chair.
Kotzea is running as a Republican from District 13 for the state House of Representatives. He previously served as Sanford Health’s director of legislative affairs and as legal counsel to the South Dakota Department of Revenue.
Hine, editor and publisher of the True Dakotan weekly newspaper in Wessington Springs, joined the South Dakota News Watch board in 2024. She previously worked 15 years in marketing and public relations in San Diego, Las Vegas and her hometown of Phoenix.
“I’m honored to step into the role of chair and help lead an organization that plays such an important role in keeping South Dakotans informed and engaged. I want to thank Nick Kotzea for his outstanding leadership and service. He has helped guide News Watch with integrity and vision. I look forward to building on that strong foundation as we continue delivering independent, nonprofit journalism that shines a light on the issues that matter most to our state,” she said.
Since purchasing the True Dakotan in 2015, Hine has updated and modernized the look and design of the publication while broadening its digital product offerings.
The True Dakotan expanded its coverage last fall and now is the official paper of record for Jerauld County, the Wessington Springs School District, the Wolsey-Wessington School District and the cities of Alpena, Lane, Wessington Springs and Wolsey.
Hine was the 137th president of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association in 2023-2024 and remained on that board until 2025.
South Dakota News Watch was founded 10 years ago this year after retired newspaper executives Jack Marsh and Randell Beck recognized that fewer newsroom resources made it harder to produce statewide coverage of important issues. After more than two years of research and fundraising, they launched and it began publishing in 2018. See who else serves on the board of directors.
Besides providing statewide news and information to its own audience, it shares its stories with more than 100 partner newspapers, broadcasters and online sites, including the True Dakotan.
News Watch's mission includes shedding light on the issues, concerns and welfare of South Dakotans. Please consider partnering with us to do that by donating.
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact CEO Carson Walker: 605-610-9366/carson.walker@sdnewswatch.org.
