Erik Thorstenson
Morning Anchor
Sioux Falls
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Erik grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, and graduated from the University of South Dakota. During college, he got his first taste of broadcasting at WNAX Radio in Yankton.
After school, Erik worked three years as a news/sports reporter at KTIV-TV in Sioux City.
Erik has won several Associated Press awards including Best Sportscast four times. He was the 2006-07 South Dakota High School Coaches Association Sportscaster of the Year.
In January of 2020, he moved to Morning Anchor. Erik can be seen on weekdays on Dakota News Now from 5 am to 7 am.
Erik and his wife Amy live in Sioux Falls and are the proud parents of daughters Kate and Brooke, and sons Luke and Jack.
Updated: 3 hours ago
|By Erik Thorstenson
The Sioux Falls Area CASA program will have another training session for volunteers on Thursday. Executive Director Stacey Tieszen joined Dakota News Now to talk about how you can help a child in need.
Updated: Mar. 24, 2023 at 9:35 AM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
The Sioux Falls Police Department has launched a new program aimed at getting more people into a career of public safety. Police Chief Jon Thum joined Dakota News Now on Friday morning to give us more details about it.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 7:58 AM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
Schmeckfest has been going on in Freeman since 1959. Event organizer Vernetta Waltner joined Dakota News Now on Thursday morning to talk about it.
Updated: Mar. 21, 2023 at 9:37 AM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
Event coordinator Todd Novak joined Dakota News Now on Tuesday morning to talk about this first-ever youth Ted Talk at Jefferson High School on Friday.
Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 11:31 AM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
Wagner High School senior Shalayne Nagel is our Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week.
Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 9:41 AM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
The Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce is putting on a Small Business Roundtable tomorrow morning, from 7:30-8:30 on Zoom. Event moderator Vernon Brown, joined Dakota News Now on Monday morning to talk about the event.
Updated: Mar. 17, 2023 at 9:36 AM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
Four members of the Dakota District Pipes & Drums group, played some music for us on St. Patrick’s Day, on Dakota News Now.
Updated: Mar. 16, 2023 at 9:34 AM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshall Dick Sweetman, and event organizer Shawn Cleary joined Dakota News Now on Thursday morning to talk about the big event in downtown Sioux Falls.
Updated: Mar. 15, 2023 at 4:50 PM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
Roni & Dave Daale are this week's "Someone You Should Know."
Updated: Mar. 13, 2023 at 10:00 AM CDT
|By Erik Thorstenson
The Dakota Academy of Performing Arts will be putting on five performances of “Beauty & the Beast Jr.” later this week at the Orpheum. Choreographer Lisa Conlin and lead actor Katherine Jones joined Dakota News Now on Monday morning.
Updated: Mar. 9, 2023 at 8:12 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
There is a special event for women in the military this coming Saturday in Sioux Falls. Jill Baker, the Community Action for Veterans Executive Director, joined Dakota News on Thursday morning.
Updated: Mar. 7, 2023 at 9:22 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Dr. Travis Snyders, from Sanford Health, joined us Tuesday morning to talk about the significance of the month, and the importance of screening for colorectal cancer.
Updated: Mar. 6, 2023 at 10:02 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Waubay senior Kailee Berger gets this week's honor.
Updated: Mar. 2, 2023 at 9:40 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Dan LaRock has written a book called “Grandpa’s Gift: How Old Wisdom Can Inspire New Life.” He joined Dakota News Now on Thursday morning to tell us what the book is about.
Updated: Mar. 1, 2023 at 5:22 PM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Kim Wadsworth is this week's Someone You Should Know.
Updated: Mar. 1, 2023 at 8:12 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
605 Magazine Owner & Publisher Alana Snyder joined Dakota News Now on Wednesday morning to talk about the March issue of the publication.
Updated: Feb. 28, 2023 at 9:59 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
The last day in February brings awareness to rare diseases across the country. Ben Forred from Sanford Health joined Dakota News Now on Tuesday morning to talk about it.
Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 9:49 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
A big fundraiser for Embe’s programs takes place this Thursday morning. The “In Her Shoes” Empowerment Breakfast. We learned more about it Monday morning on Dakota News Now.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 8:01 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
In the latest edition of Wild Wednesday, we learn about the snow monkeys at the Great Plains Zoo. The primates are very active in the winter.
Updated: Feb. 20, 2023 at 9:49 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Redfield High School's Trae Turck is our Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2023 at 9:28 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
You’ll can try hundreds of different craft beers, at the 9th annual Sioux Empire on Tap on Saturday in Sioux Falls. Danny V., with Results Radio, joined Dakota News Now on Thursday morning to talk about the event.
Updated: Feb. 15, 2023 at 5:36 PM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Ed Westberg is this week's "Someone You Should Know."
Updated: Feb. 15, 2023 at 9:52 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum, joined Dakota News Now on Wednesday morning, to talk about the upcoming Citizen Police Academy. Applications are currently being taken.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 9:56 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Stacy Schaap, the owner of the Flower Mill, joined Dakota News Now to give us some flower ideas for Valentine’s Day. She also talked about how to the book a singing quartet for that special someone.
Updated: Feb. 7, 2023 at 5:34 PM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Jackie Kocak was named the 2023 Direct Care Worker of the Year.
Updated: Feb. 7, 2023 at 9:46 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
February is Heart Month. Lori Visker, from Sanford Health, joined Dakota News Now on Tuesday morning to talk about the importance of knowing CPR.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 9:36 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Jackson Baer is our Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 at 7:59 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Chrissy Meyer, with the American Heart Association, joined Dakota News Now to talk about the significance of the day, which raises awareness for women’s heart health.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 5:46 PM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Elkton preschool teacher Vickie Fargen is this week's "Someone You Should Know."
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 10:18 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Phil and Linda Pudenz, the owners of the Wild Bird Connection, joined Dakota News Now on Wednesday morning. They talked about what you can do to help those birds in your yard during the winter months.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 at 9:27 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
605 Magazine owner and publisher Alana Snyder, joined Dakota News Now on Tuesday morning, to talk about the February issue.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 9:36 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Wendy Mamer, the TEDx local organizer, talked about an upcoming event, and how potential speakers can get registered.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
The annual benefit for the Lourdes Center, the Gift of Hope Concert, will take place on February 11th in Sioux Falls. Sammie Scholfield, and Emily Leedom joined Dakota News Now to talk about it.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 9:58 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Tom Henderson, the founder of the Restoration Generation, joined Dakota News Now on Thursday’s morning to talk about the RESGEN Men’s Summit.
Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 12:03 PM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Preston Koster is this week's Scholar of the Week.
Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 8:04 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
You can get a portrait with your pet this coming Saturday, with the proceeds benefiting the Rescue Network, which helps find homes for unwanted animals. The event will take place at the Southern Hills Methodist Church in Sioux Falls.
Updated: Jan. 20, 2023 at 10:29 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Becky Rasmussen, the executive director and founder of Call to Freedom, joined Dakota News Now on Friday morning to talk about the significance of this month.
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 9:35 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Melissa Hiatt is leading the workshops, while Jessica Meyers is a former participant in the class. They both joined Dakota News Now on Thursday morning.
Updated: Jan. 18, 2023 at 8:03 PM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Pam Hoffman is this week's "Someone You Should Know."
Updated: Jan. 18, 2023 at 11:17 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
While tickets to Saturday’s dinner and auction are sold out, Teddy Bear Den Executive Director Sandy Lown, joined Dakota News Now on Wednesday to tell us how you can still help out.
Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 9:19 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
The 37th annual S.D. Corn Conference takes place Saturday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Former Viking, and South Dakota native Chad Greenway is the keynote speaker. Corn Growers Association President Scott Stahl, joined Dakota News Now on Tuesday morning.
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 8:03 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
t’ll be a great place to talk about the upcoming racing season at the annual Racing and Hi Performance Swap Meet on Saturday at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Event organizer Bill Lev, joined Dakota News Now on Friday to give us information on the event.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 8:10 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Julie Jansa, the executive director with First Tee-South Dakota, joined Dakota News Now on Thursday morning to talk about a new program they have.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 9:15 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Paul Weckman is this week's "Someone You Should Know."
Updated: Dec. 21, 2022 at 6:15 PM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Bill Newberg is this week's Someone You Should Know.
Updated: Dec. 21, 2022 at 8:00 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Paul TenHaken won a second term as the Mayor of Sioux Falls in 2022. He joined Dakota News Now on Wednesday morning to talk about his goals for the city in 2023.
Updated: Dec. 20, 2022 at 9:33 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
REACH Literacy is spreading the love of reading, by helping kids and adults in the Sioux Falls area. Executive Director Paige Carda joined Dakota News Now on Tuesday.
Updated: Dec. 19, 2022 at 9:29 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
You can get gifts to the boys at the McCrossan Boys Ranch, by visiting one of four “Tree of Hope” locations. Executive Director Brian Roegiers, joined Dakota News Now on Monday morning.
Updated: Dec. 12, 2022 at 10:44 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Clark High School senior Trey Huber is this week's Scholar of the Week.
Updated: Dec. 12, 2022 at 10:08 AM CST
|By Erik Thorstenson
Bill Earley is the executive director of the The Link, a community triage center which helps people with addiction. He’s also an author, who wrote his first book, a dystopian political thriller titled “The Coin.” He joined Dakota News Now on Monday.
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