South Dakota NewsMedia Association

05/03/2026

Shout out to South Dakota NewsMedia Association and Brandon Valley Journal for hosting the pre-screening for our first Good People Project. We had a great time and we learned so much! Looking forward to debuting this at Brandon Valley High School this month, May 20th,
6:30 pm at the PAC.

05/03/2026

HIGH FIVES TO A GREAT CONVENTION!

Thank you to everyone who attended the 143rd SDNA convention in Deadwood!

02/16/2026

NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR 2026 SDNA EAGLE AWARD

The South Dakota NewsMedia Association is accepting nominees for the 2026 SDNA Eagle Award.

This award is given to an individual, group or organization that has demonstrated outstanding efforts to protect and promote openness and transparency in government.

“It takes courage to speak out to right a wrong or to prevent one from happening, and to ensure our elected officials are held accountable. Yet every year South Dakotans take those steps to ensure transparency and to protect our right to know about how the government is conducting the public’s business,” said Mark Watson, chair of the SDNA First Amendment Committee and editor of the Black Hills Pioneer, Spearfish.

“The SDNA Eagle Award honors those who speak up to help protect the critical principle that a well-informed citizenry is at the heart of a thriving democracy,” Watson added.

The SDNA First Amendment Committee welcomes nominees for the 2026 Eagle Award to honor those who have demonstrated their commitment to the ideals of open government.

The first SDNA Eagle Award was given to the 2001 South Dakota Supreme Court for its efforts to open Supreme Court proceedings to media cameras.

Other recipients of SDNA Eagle Award also include Mitchell School Board member Rodney Hall (2003), South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long (2004), Yankton County Commissioner Brian Hunhoff (2005), Codington County State's Attorney Vince Foley (2006), state Sen. Jason Gant and the staff of the South Dakota State University Collegian (2007), state Sen. Nancy Turbak Berry (2008), state Sen. Dave Knudson (2009), Sioux Falls resident Gordon Heber (2010), state Sen. Al Novstrup (2012), state Sen. Corey Brown (2016), Gov. Dennis Daugaard (2018), state Sen. Arthur Rusch (2019), state Rep. Tim Reed (2022) and journalist and educator Chuck Baldwin (posthumously 2024).

Any individual, group or organization that has demonstrated commitment to the ideals of open government in South Dakota is eligible to be nominated.

Nominations for the 2026 SDNA Eagle Award should be submitted via email to SDNA Executive Director David Bordewyk at [email protected] or mailed to: SDNA Eagle Award, South Dakota NewsMedia Association, 1125 32nd Ave., Brookings, SD 57006.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 20.
Contact Bordewyk for more information about the award and nominations. Call him at 800-658-3697.

02/13/2026

“I’m confident in telling you…100% of our newspapers are having problems with delivery,” Bordewyk said. “It’s across the board, across the state…It’s a grass fire.” Because so much local advertising is time-sensitive (think auctions, open houses, legal notices, and invitations for project bids), the delays have threatened subscription and advertising revenue. “It’s a double whammy.”

Newspaper delays are just one consequence of cost cuts and changes to a fraying 250-year-old system.

02/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended News Media Day at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Our event started the prior evening over dinner and conversation with Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen. Thursday morning, SDNA President Jason Ferguson and Third Vice President Jill Meier testified in favor of Senate Bill 137 - legislation to establish anti-SLAPP actions in South Dakota to protect constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and the press. SDNA members participated in Gov. Larry Rhoden's weekly press conference and we treated all legislators to tasty macarons and coffee during the noon hour.

11/18/2025

BIGGEST SALE EVER! Up to 75% OFF!

Supporting the South Dakota NewsMedia Foundation helps support you! All proceeds benefit the SDNA Foundation, which supports education and professional development opportunities for news media.

Just in time for the holidays!
Enjoy up to 75% off all SDNA merch in the sdna.com storefront.

SHOP HERE: https://www.sdna.com/category/all-products

10/23/2025

SDNA office on a beautiful fall day!

10/21/2025

LOW STOCK WARNING! All SDNA merch up to 50% off!
Supporting the South Dakota NewsMedia Foundation helps support you! All proceeds benefit the SDNA Foundation which is dedicated to supporting education and professional development opportunities for news media.

10/10/2025

SDNA Past Presidents Kristi Hine of the Wessington Springs True Dakotan and Molly McRoberts of the Potter County News at Gettysburg and I were honored to join news media colleagues from across the country as we met with members of Congress this week. Thank you to Sen. John Thune, Sen. Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson for engaging and productive conversations about pressing issues for our industry, including AI/copyright abuse and postal delivery/rate problems.

10/06/2025

A good reminder this week (National Newspaper Week) why local journalism is essential to the civic health of our communities and our nation.

If readers fail to embrace local newspapers, there’s a good chance the future will be devoid of the kinds of stories they need.