Cordell Wright
Weekend Anchor
Cordell joined the Dakota News Now Staff in 2019 as a morning video editor, where he was part of an Emmy-award-winning newscast team. He then transitioned into the morning photographer. He was promoted to a full-time reporter in January of 2021.
Cordell is originally from Dell Rapids and transferred to Deubrook High School in White during his junior year of high school where he later graduated in 2016. After high school, he attended the University of Sioux Falls studying media studies and business administration. He graduated in 2020.
Cordell has done high school football play-by-play commentary, but his passion for visual media began early on in college. He loves all things outdoors including fishing, golfing, and hiking. He is a die-hard Minnesota Vikings and watches them play every Sunday during football season.
The opioid crisis has been a heavily discussed topic over the past several years, and there’s one drug that has been a silent role player. Health experts have described Kratom as an opioid when taken in high doses, and users don’t even need a prescription.
For the third time in six years -- south dakota voters could be deciding whether to legalize recreational marijuana. The group behind the last two efforts is making another run for 2024, but as we told you last week a second ballot measure is in the works.We caught up with Emmitt Reistroffer who drafted it, to learn more about why he believes it was necessary.
It’s National Apprenticeship Week which is an opportunity to shine a light on how apprentice programs are helping workers get a footing in the industry of their choice.
A group of South Dakota representatives are in Washington D.C. this week to meet with federal leaders. They made the trip along with other Midwest legislators to discuss developments in rural communities.
On Monday night the head coach met with fans on campus to teach them the basics of hockey-- while sparking some inspiration for the remainder of the season.
Inside Dell Rapids High School Friday morning, a Veterans Day program was led by a former service member. There was poetry, music, and a special donation from students. All in honor of those who stood up for our freedom.
One Sioux Valley teacher is incorporating what his students are learning in the classroom to make picks on state football games, and they’ve been pretty successful.
The “Taylor Swift effect” has taken the world by storm, making its way into the classroom at the University of South Dakota.
Featuring 18 prep football playoff games from South Dakota, Northwest Iowa & Southwest Minnesota!
Kendall and the rest of the team at Helpline take pride in their follow-ups, reaching out to individuals after taking advantage of the service and continuing to offer resources.
Halloween is the time of year when you can be anything from a superhero to Barbie, but one thing you don’t want to be is a nuisance to T.S.A. and your fellow passengers.
The snow has already begun to fly in portions of South Dakota, and removal crews are on standby in case conditions worsen in the sioux falls area.
Featuring 15 South Dakota Quarterfinal Playoff Football Games
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire in collaboration with the Sioux Falls school district announced the first-ever Club to be attached to a middle school in the city.
It has been nearly three weeks since Israel was first attacked. In the meantime, the war in Ukraine is approaching two years. We caught up with Viktor Voznyuk, the Ukrainian native living in Sioux Falls whose story we have previously shared with you.
Featuring highlights from 17 prep football games in South Dakota!
One of the largest manufacturers in South Dakota that employs more than 1,000 people broke ground on a multi-million dollar expansion on Friday.
Featuring 14 prep football games from South Dakota and Northwest Iowa!
Jonathan Warren and Katelyn Goble are *both* facing murder and aggravated assault charges in the Morgan Bauer case. Dakota News Now has obtained court documents that reveal additional new information about the case.
The attacks on Israel prompted passionate responses from those with ties to the country. We spoke with Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz with the Jewish Center of South Dakota, who compared the attack over the weekend to the holocaust.
Featuring highlights from 13 prep football games in South Dakota, Northwest Iowa & Southwest Minnesota
With their voices raised and a clear message-- more than 75 students at Washington High School walked out of class to bring attention to missing and murdered indigenous women.
Dry and windy conditions prompted a burn ban in Yankton County while farmers work through the thick of harvest season.
Featuring 16 games from South Dakota, Northwest Iowa & Southwest Minnesota!
Bills signed into law on Tuesday by California Governor Gavin Newsome increase taxes on firearm and ammunition purchases as well as add tighter restrictions to concealed carry. Governor Noem is taking this opportunity to try and bring more people to South Dakota.
Congress is against the clock because in just six days the federal government could shut down unless new appropriation legislation is passed.
Featuring highlights from 14 games in South Dakota, Southwest Minnesota and Northwest Iowa!
Since breaking ground in April, the Sioux Fall Regional Airport’s parking ramp construction project has popped up quickly.
As we first alerted you two weeks ago, the two black truck drivers who were refused service at a Sioux Falls Denny’s last month were joined by their attorneys in a news conference Monday.
After a two-day review back in May, Sanford USD Medical Center has now been verified as a level 1 trauma center, the only facility in the state verified to that level.
Featuring highlights from 16 prep football games in South Dakota, Northwest Iowa & Southwest Minnesota!
Imagine sitting at a restaurant, only to be told you won’t be served. It sounds like something from the past, but that was a recent experience in Sioux Falls. The alleged incident happened Aug. 13 at Denny’s. It ends with two black men being escorted out by police.
Featuring 16 games from South Dakota, Northwest Iowa & Southwest Minnesota!
It’s bounced around to several different locations, but five years ago was the last time a LifeLight festival took place. This weekend it makes a triumphant return to Sioux Falls.
Feeding South Dakota data shows that 1 out of every 9 children in the state is battling food insecurity. Representative Kadyn Wittman announced via an X post that she plans to bring a free school lunch bill forward this upcoming session.
School is already back in session meaning the clock is running down for Sioux Falls City Pools, with only one weekend remaining at one of the outdoor facilities.
Featuring highlights from 17 games in South Dakota and Northwest Iowa!
Sioux Falls City Councilor Pat Starr tells Dakota News Now that plans to remove the mounts inside the Delbridge Museum are on hold.
The Cathedral Historic District held and end of summer bash in the green space located on 9th and Grange Monday night, but community members have been working to develop bigger plans for the space.
Hawaii has long been known as one of the most desired vacation destinations, but in the wake of the devastating wildfire vacation plans may be on hold.
The Harrisburg School District is set to open to new schools the same year for the second time. The Harrisburg Freshman Academy is set to have 482 kids walk through their doors, and Harrisburg East Middle School is ready for 415.
Nationwide the average age of officials is nearing 60 years old. On Tuesday, the South Dakota High School Activities Association announced its new partnership with RefReps.
The 84th sioux empire got off to a rocky start with rain putting a damper on the opening weekend, And that’s not the only struggle that fairs have been battling over the past couple of years.
According to the latest federal consumer price data, the cost of car repairs was up by 19.7% percent annually. Shop owners say the jump that consumers have seen on their bills is just to try and keep up with the increases they’ve experienced.
More than 30,000 workers are out of a job after ‘Yellow Corp’ calls it quits including hundreds in Sioux Falls.
An F16 known as “Venom” is part of the Viper Demonstration at the Sioux Falls Air Show. The lone pilot of the plane is South Dakota State University graduate Captain Aimee “Rebel” Fiedler.
One profession people may not consider the increased summertime difficulty of is food truck worker.
The career choice program applies to Amazon’s full- and part-time employees. It provides them with tuition reimbursement to pursue a college education, such as a two-year program at Southeast Technical College.
Thanks to the power of social media, many moviegoers are planning to see at least one of the two most anticipated movies of the summer.
The YMCA is a staple of downtown Sioux Falls. Having operated out of the same building for more than a hundred years, The Boys and Girls Club moving their teen program is just the most recent of many changes over the years.
