Sam Wright
Evening Anchor
Sioux Falls
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Sam spent his college years in southern West Virginia where he earned his degree in Broadcast Journalism while competing as a student-athlete on Concord University’s football team, and balancing a part-time job.
After interning in Bluefield, West Virginia at WVVA, he traveled across the country to work as an anchor and award-winning reporter in Casper, Wyoming at KCWY.
While falling in love with the western culture, Sam learned to appreciate his local community and the unique aspects it has to offer and covering the local headlines that matter most to each person waking up and going to sleep in the same area he is.
Sam has done a little bit of everything before coming to Sioux Falls including sports and even weather for a short time!
You will likely see Sam riding his bike around town, visiting his family friends in Brandon, snowboarding, exploring, or watching sports.
Sam joined the news team as the weekend anchor but moved to a weeknight anchor in September of 2020.
Updated: May. 30, 2023 at 5:59 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
It has been a busy 12 months of clearing debris, communicating with insurance, and getting a contractor to rebuild the walls of the congregation.
Updated: Mar. 27, 2023 at 4:47 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Pierre native Nick Burke has grown his talent and love for music from an early age and that has not stopped since coming to Sioux Falls.
Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 3:39 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Our Musician of the Month says Sioux Falls has become an incredible spot to launch her country music career.
Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 5:47 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Dietitian Mary Dressing talks about the initiative associated with Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2023 at 6:02 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Eating healthier and losing weight is easier said than done, but that does not mean it is unattainable.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 9:16 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
When February 14 draws near, cards from all over the world funnel into Valentine's post office to receive the special postmark before reaching a loved one. That is one of many traditions that the northwestern Nebraska city embraces.
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 5:24 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Rylee Chavez is our January Musician of the Month and says his main reason for playing music is for meditative purposes.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 6:14 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Dr. Thomas Ripperda discusses treatment options for chronic back pain.
Updated: Dec. 28, 2022 at 3:08 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Salvation Army staff are hoping for a final push from donors this winter to help meet their needs this upcoming year.
Updated: Dec. 22, 2022 at 12:54 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
One of the two extreme seasons has arrived emphatically. Dr. Friedman explains the common ailments and how to treat them.
Updated: Dec. 16, 2022 at 8:04 AM CST
|By Sam Wright
Be on the lookout for signs of stress, such as lack of energy, fatigue, short tempers, or any behaviors that are not normal.
Updated: Nov. 23, 2022 at 1:16 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in adults.
Updated: Nov. 17, 2022 at 5:09 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
The VP of Sales for Avera Health Plans discusses the importance of determining which health plan is right for you and your family.
Updated: Nov. 3, 2022 at 1:38 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
RSV circulates every year, but this year it is happening earlier.
Updated: Oct. 30, 2022 at 7:45 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
After teaching neighbors how to make pumpkins stand out, Marylisa Crissman got a pleasant surprise on her way to surgery.
Updated: Oct. 27, 2022 at 1:41 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Katie Soodsma, Certified Nurse Practitioner with Avera Medical Group Urogynecology, explained some changes to be aware of after having a child.
Updated: Oct. 20, 2022 at 6:13 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Physician assistant Kaci Park, with Avera Medical Group Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care, says about 1/8 women in the U.S. can have a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
Updated: Oct. 13, 2022 at 1:47 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Avera Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Post explained three things we can do to be responsible patients.
Updated: Sep. 29, 2022 at 3:25 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
A family we told you about in December is elated after a successful kidney transplant.
Updated: Sep. 22, 2022 at 2:38 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Avera Medical Group neurologist Dr. Justin Persson tells us what to know about Alzheimer's and similar diseases.
Updated: Sep. 21, 2022 at 12:58 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
A family on the Crow Creek Reservation continues to mourn the death of a family member. They are still looking for closure after burying Amy Thompson in December of 2021. A correction to a previous story removes a suspect that was believed to be involved.
Updated: Sep. 21, 2022 at 12:55 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
A family on the Crow Creek Reservation continues to mourn the death of a family member.
Updated: Sep. 16, 2022 at 4:35 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Jack served in the Navy, Mike in the Army, and Roger in the Marines. Their father also served in the military in the Army Air Corp in World War II.
Updated: Sep. 15, 2022 at 6:40 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
The memorials weighed differently for each person. But all veterans could find comfort in the company of one another.
Updated: Sep. 8, 2022 at 5:46 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Family medicine physician Dr. Kate Boos from Avera Health says there are four simple ways to improve your health outside of a clinic.
Updated: Sep. 1, 2022 at 5:14 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Dr. Benjamin Meyerink discusses seasonal allergies and when seeing a physician is the right move.
Updated: Aug. 5, 2022 at 6:06 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Prairie Madness is the only femme-only comedy group in the midwest.
Updated: Jul. 21, 2022 at 2:25 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Family medicine physician Dr. Leah Prestbo with Avera Medical Group discusses osteoporosis and how to stay ahead of it.
Updated: Jul. 19, 2022 at 8:10 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Mayor Paul TenHaken discusses his budget speech and where he would like to allocate money over the next few years.
Updated: Jul. 14, 2022 at 1:07 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
The presence of COVID-19 tapered slightly in spring, but cases have been increasing again.
Updated: Jul. 11, 2022 at 3:32 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
In this Avera Medical Minute, staff from the Avera Addiction Care Center talk about the services that have helped more than 500 people with substance abuse.
Updated: Jun. 30, 2022 at 1:55 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Dr. Chad Thury with Avera Medical Group discusses COVID-19 vaccinations being approved for the five and under age group.
Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 1:03 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
June is Scoliosis Awareness Month and it affects 3/100 people.
Updated: Jun. 2, 2022 at 2:49 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Dr. David Basel provides an update on COVID-19 across the Avera footprint.
Updated: May. 31, 2022 at 12:22 AM CDT
|By Sam Wright
The congregation found part of the roof torn off and another portion caved in after severe weather Monday morning.
Updated: May. 26, 2022 at 5:30 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Dr. Daniel Boadwine discusses summer pediatric visits as we head into summer.
Updated: May. 19, 2022 at 2:42 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Avera Medical Group staff discuss the most prevalent concerns associated with skin cancer.
Updated: Apr. 21, 2022 at 1:58 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Dr. David Basel explains how COVID is still affecting us locally and what the repealed mask mandate means for us.
Updated: Mar. 31, 2022 at 6:25 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
A study determined colorectal cancer in individuals less than 50-years-old was increasing by 2% per year which encouraged a change in the recommended age for screening.
Updated: Mar. 17, 2022 at 1:54 PM CDT
|By Sam Wright
Avera Sports Medicine Physician Dr. Jon Buchanan talks about the benefits of getting active in the warmer weather and some ways to work smarter, not harder.
Updated: Feb. 18, 2022 at 5:27 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Coming from Africa to America has opened up a bevy of new opportunities for Dr. Nwadibia to help people in Sioux Falls and Nigeria.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2022 at 3:50 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is part of the current roster of South Dakotans making an impact on the entertainment industry.
Updated: Feb. 9, 2022 at 6:22 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Up until the latest decade, South Dakota has been absent a division one college hockey program. That all changes in the fall of 2023 when Augustana University hits the ice.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2022 at 5:03 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Avera Dermatologist Kathleen Engeln, MD, explains what is at risk with the cold weather regarding our skin and how to protect it.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2022 at 6:04 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
The SD CEO East Women’s Business Center is now open and helping future business leaders on the eastern side of South Dakota.
Updated: Dec. 16, 2021 at 2:16 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Avera Health physician Dr. Hilary Rockwell explains the most common injuries associated with winter and how to prevent them.
Updated: Dec. 13, 2021 at 4:47 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
Organ transplants change lives and Brandy Louwagie's younger brother Bo Bearshield gave his kidney to her until an anomaly took place.
Updated: Nov. 29, 2021 at 12:45 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
The Twilight Flight returns for its 15th year.
Updated: Nov. 25, 2021 at 5:53 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
End of the year holidays are colloquially a time of cheer and joy, but that is not the case for every person. It can often be the exact opposite, and the mental health of others could be tested.
Updated: Nov. 18, 2021 at 7:12 PM CST
|By Sam Wright
It is one of the most common forms of cancer and second only to breast and prostate cancer. If the statistics hold true, hundreds of South Dakotans will be diagnosed with the disease.
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