SDNA’s Got Talent

HURON – Last week the South Dakota Newspaper Association hosted their annual convention and Better Newspapers Contest for its members. The 2024 convention was April 25-27, 2024 at the Huron Event Center/Crossroads Hotel in Huron, SD.

Presenters and speakers during our convention, including Amanda Dulitz of the Reporter & Farmer at Webster, Jeremy Waltner of the Freeman Courier, Carson Walker of South Dakota News Watch, Scott Waltman of Aberdeen Insider, Seth Tupper of South Dakota Searchlight, Joshua Westwick of SDSU School of Communication and Journalism, Nikki Eining of G# Grace Grit Growth Counseling and Matt Waite of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Journalism. Waite’s presentation about AI tools for community newspapers was fascinating and eye-opening. The topic of AI as it relates to community newspapers is something we will need to keep an eye on for some time to come.

Molly McRoberts, editor of the Potter County News at Gettysburg, was elected the 138th president of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association during the SDNA convention on April 26 in Huron.

 Also elected to the 2024-25 SDNA Board of Directors were: first vice president Jason Ferguson, editor of the Custer County Chronicle; second vice president Carson Walker, CEO of South Dakota News Watch; third vice president Luke Hagen, editor of the Mitchell Republic; director LeeAnne Dufek, publisher of Hamlin County Publishing at Castlewood; director Jill Meier, publisher of the Brandon Valley Journal; and immediate past president Kristi Hine, publisher of the True Dakotan at Wessington Springs. 

 “It’s an exciting time to be part of the news industry. South Dakota NewsMedia Association members recognize that while the delivery and consumption of news continues to evolve, the key is that we remain focused on providing factual and accurate news reporting,” McRoberts said.

SDNA convention a singing success

We sang, cheered, learned and, most importantly, connected with our colleagues and friends from across the state for last week’s SDNA convention in Huron. Thank you to everyone who attended. We truly appreciate your support and involvement.

First off, congratulations to Kirk Dickerson of the Native Sun News Today. Kirk was the winner in the Thursday evening karaoke contest (“SDNA’s Got Talent!”) and took home the SDNA Golden Mic.

“Thank you so much SDNA for hosting the Karaoke contest. I loved the prizes and the support I received from my fellow SDNA members. This was truly the best convention so far,” Dickerson said.

Thank you to outgoing SDNA President Kristi Hine for her work planning this great convention. She did masterful work. And thank you to Bart Pfankuch for serving as master of ceremonies for the banquet.

Thank you to our convention sponsors. Their support helps us plan and host a successful and meaningful event:

GOLD: MDU Resources Group, Inc., South Dakota News Watch and Colonial Life.

SILVER: South Dakota Community Foundation, eType Services, SDSU School of Communication and Journalism, Huron Plainsman, Coda Ventures, LLC and South Dakota Rural Electric Association.

Additional sponsors: Metro Creative, Dakota Style chips, Adee Honey, Bel Brands, Dakota Tom’s and Cookie Dough Cupcakes.

Four inducted into Hall of Fame

SDNA President Kristi Hine with South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame inductees Bruce Odson, Gayle A. Van Genderen and J.P. Studeny. Bruce and his late wife, Susan, were publishers of three newspapers in Union County. Gayle and J.P. are publishers of The South Dakota Mail at Plankinton. You can find more convention photos at SDNA’s Facebook page.

The post SDNA’s Got Talent first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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