South Dakota News Watch Adds Two New Board Members

Rita Edwards and Mark Millage bring legal, media, and business expertise to the nonprofit news organization's leadership team.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:25am

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South Dakota News Watch, a nonprofit news organization, has appointed two new members to its board of directors. Rita Edwards, a retired lawyer with experience in banking and financial law, and Mark Millage, a former news director at KELO-TV who now works in community relations, have joined the board, filling seats left vacant by outgoing members.

Why it matters

The additions of Edwards and Millage to the SDNW board bring valuable expertise and diverse perspectives that will help the organization continue its mission of providing important news and information to South Dakota residents.

The details

Edwards previously worked at Davenport Evans Lawyers in Sioux Falls and has served on several other boards, including the South Dakota State University Alumni and Foundation Board of Trustees, the Prairie Repertory Theatre Board of Directors, and the board for Habitat for Humanity in Madison. Millage started as an intern at KELO-TV in 1983 and was promoted to news director in 1989, a position he held until 2008. He currently works as the director of community relations for Furniture Mart USA and serves on the boards of the Sioux Empire United Way, the South Dakota Gaming Commission, and as co-chair of the St. Francis House community appeals campaign.

  • Rita Edwards and Mark Millage were appointed to the South Dakota News Watch board of directors in 2026.

The players

Rita Edwards

A retired lawyer whose most recent experience was in general and bank and financial institution practice at Davenport Evans Lawyers in Sioux Falls. She also serves on the South Dakota State University Alumni and Foundation Board of Trustees, the Prairie Repertory Theatre Board of Directors, and the board for Habitat for Humanity in Madison.

Mark Millage

Started as an intern at KELO-TV in 1983 and was promoted to news director in 1989, a position he held until 2008. He is currently the director of community relations for Furniture Mart USA and serves on the boards of the Sioux Empire United Way, the South Dakota Gaming Commission, and as co-chair of the St. Francis House community appeals campaign.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to welcome Rita and Mark to the South Dakota News Watch board. Their expertise and community involvement will be invaluable as we continue to serve the people of South Dakota with high-quality, independent journalism.”

— Carson Walker, CEO, South Dakota News Watch

The takeaway

The additions of Rita Edwards and Mark Millage to the South Dakota News Watch board of directors demonstrate the organization's commitment to strengthening its leadership and bringing in diverse perspectives to better serve the information needs of South Dakota residents.