Shelly Conlon named news director for the Argus Leader

Shelly Conlon, a reporter and editor at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader since 2018, has been promoted to news director, the top newsroom leader.

Conlon most recently was the newspaper’s watchdog editor, overseeing education and government beats and other coverage that holds officials accountable to the public. Before that, she served for 2½ years as the Argus Leader’s statewide education reporter.

Conlon steps into the position as the second woman to lead the newsroom and is one of its youngest top editors as well. She succeeds former news director Cory Myers, who served in the role nearly seven years and left in November to become an executive at the Fresh Produce advertising agency.

"In a tumultuous industry where news staffs across the country are shrinking, I'm excited to lean into the challenge of maintaining trusted news coverage from South Dakota's largest newsroom," Conlon said. "I cannot wait to start 2023 strong with colleagues dedicated to elevating the everyday voices in our diverse and growing community."

As watchdog editor, she led an initiative called “100 Eyes on South Dakota,” which has involved reporters from across the Argus Leader newsroom in producing high-impact investigative journalism.

More:The Argus Leader is launching a new investigative initiative. You can help.

She also has helped develop the newsroom’s “Perspectives” project, seeking out an array of Black, Indigenous and other voices from people of color to enrich public conversation on community issues.

Conlon started at the Argus Leader as its statewide education reporter. Her seven-part series on South Dakota’s failures in educating children who are deaf or hard of hearing spurred changes in state law and earned national recognition. She also revealed a fake university in Sioux Falls, which led to a federal investigation that ended the viability of a national school accreditation company.

“Since joining the Argus Leader 4½ years ago, Shelly has immersed herself in learning about the people of greater Sioux Falls and South Dakota and the issues they confront,” said Carol Hunter, editor of the Des Moines Register and a supervisor of newspapers in the Plains Region of Gannett Co. Inc., the Argus Leader’s parent company. “Shelly will continue the Argus Leader’s proud tradition of accurate, trustworthy news coverage and investigative journalism that makes a difference in the lives of South Dakotans.”

Conlon said she plans to focus on guiding a team dedicated to:

• Helping readers understand how government decisions fit into broader social issues.

• Examining how business expansions and other trends affect the city's growth and development.

• Keeping families and residents up to date on what they can see and do that's unique to the Sioux Falls area.

• Providing quick updates on major public safety issues or breaking news to keep Sioux Falls families informed.

• Continuing to defend the public's right to know and the First Amendment.

"While our news staff is smaller than it once was, we're dedicated to listening to the community and providing coverage of the news and issues South Dakotans care about most," Conlon said.

Conlon is a 2013 graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and held several roles, including editor in chief, of its student newspaper, The Shorthorn. She started her journalism career as the education and breaking news reporter at the Waxahachie Daily Light in Texas, where she was promoted to digital news editor and later managing editor. In 2016, she became the education reporter at the Waco Tribune-Herald, one of the top 10 daily newspapers in Texas.

More:'Perspectives' columns will embrace, lift up our community's diverse voices

Conlon regularly helps student and professional journalists in South Dakota and nationally, through mentoring and as a frequent judge for journalism competitions.

She lives in Canton with her husband, Justin, who works in law enforcement, and their 4-year-old daughter.

"My family and I chose South Dakota almost five years ago, to be closer to loved ones and friends we've known for more than 15 years," Conlon said. "And before that move from Texas to Sioux Falls, we made annual visits, only to leave with the question of 'How do we get back here more permanently?' We have roots here, we've invested here, and I love that I can continue to call South Dakota home."

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Shelly Conlon appointed as news director for Sioux Falls Argus Leader