Local News Day declared in Sioux Falls by Mayor Paul TenHaken

Mayor Paul TenHaken proclaimed April 9, 2026, as Local News Day in Sioux Falls to recognize the city's local news organizations. About 15 representatives from several local outlets attended the morning proclamation.

Mayor Paul TenHaken proclaimed April 9, 2026, as Local News Day at a small gathering in the City Hall conference room. He used the same pen Gov. Larry Rhoden used to sign a recent bill that allows cities to directly fund large projects. Sioux Falls has nearly a dozen news organizations serving a metro area of more than a quarter-million people. The proclamation aligns with a national Local News Day effort to reconnect audiences with local outlets and comes as many newsrooms face staffing and funding pressures. Key details: - Mayor Paul TenHaken declared April 9, 2026, as Local News Day in Sioux Falls. - TenHaken used the same pen Gov. Larry Rhoden used to sign a bill allowing cities to directly fund large projects. - About 15 people attended, representing outlets such as the Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Simplified, Dakota Scout, Sioux Falls Live, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Dakota News Now and KELOLAND News. - Local leaders and editors noted the long history of some outlets and the small teams and limited budgets many local journalists now operate under. - A national coalition that includes the Montana Free Press, the American Journalism Project and Press Forward is encouraging renewed engagement with local news and promoting subscriptions as part of sustaining local journalism. Summary: The proclamation formally recognized the role local news organizations play in documenting community life and holding power to account, while the modest turnout underscored broader concerns about shrinking local newsrooms. Undetermined at this time.