Senator Amy Klobuchar Visits KSMQ: A Moment of Recognition and Resolve

On April 17, KSMQ Public Television was honored to welcome U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to our studios in Austin. Her visit came at a pivotal time for public media, as national conversations unfold about the future of federal support for stations like ours. During her visit, Senator Klobuchar toured our facility, met with staff, and heard firsthand about the critical role KSMQ plays in southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa. From our educational and cultural programming to emergency broadcasting and community-focused storytelling, the Senator witnessed the many ways KSMQ serves as a trusted source of information, inspiration, and connection for the region.

The visit also highlighted the powerful public-private partnerships that help sustain our work — through federal, state, and local support, as well as the generosity of individual donors and community sponsors. Senator Klobuchar’s presence was a meaningful affirmation of the value of public media and the people behind it.

As we continue to navigate uncertain waters for public funding, this visit was a reminder that what we do matters. We remain steadfast in our mission and working hard to increase local support in our region to serve our viewers and our communities — with integrity, creativity, and heart. Thank you for standing with KSMQ.

April 3, 2025– KSMQ Public Television is pleased to announce the appointment of Danica I. Simonet as its new Multimedia Producer. Simonet brings a wealth of experience in video journalism, documentary filmmaking, and multimedia storytelling to KSMQ, further strengthening the station’s commitment to high-quality, community-focused content.

Simonet has built a strong career in video production and storytelling. She has worked in various capacities, from documentary production to campaign media, demonstrating a passion for crafting compelling visual narratives. Most recently, Simonet served as a Production Assistant for Thematic Campaigns in San Francisco, co-produced and directed a special documentary on domestic violence and contributed to the post-production process of various documentary films at Tripod Media in Los Angeles. Simonet has received multiple awards, including the Upper Midwest Emmy Student Production Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She has also been recognized with grants and fellowships for her work in journalism and documentary storytelling. Simonet holds a Master of Journalism degree in Video Journalism & Documentary Film from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Resolution, with minors in German and Philosophy, from The College of Saint Benedict.

“We are thrilled to welcome Danica to the KSMQ team,” said Laura Archbold, Station Manager at KSMQ. “She will play a key role in developing and producing engaging content for KSMQ, leveraging her storytelling expertise to bring important stories to life for our region. Her passion for meaningful storytelling and deep experience in documentary and multimedia production align perfectly with our mission to engage and inform our community through high-quality public television.”

March 11, 2025 – KSMQ Public Television is pleased to announce the addition of Dennis Brooks as its new Underwriter and Sponsorship Manager. In this role, Brooks will lead efforts to cultivate partnerships and secure sponsorships that support KSMQ’s mission of delivering high-quality public media content to communities across southern Minnesota and beyond.

Brooks brings extensive experience in media sales, sponsorship development, and strategic partnerships, particularly in public media. Before joining KSMQ, he was a Senior Account Executive at Townsquare Media, where he led digital marketing initiatives and client engagement. His leadership roles, including Director of Sales, focused on managing sales operations and driving revenue growth. Brooks also spent nearly 12 years at Minnesota Public Radio as an Account Executive, specializing in public media sponsorships, audience engagement, and relationship management. As Underwriter and Sponsorship Manager, he will collaborate with businesses and organizations to create sponsorship opportunities aligned with KSMQ’s programming and outreach efforts. Brooks earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and Psychology from Saint John’s University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dennis to the KSMQ team,” said Laura Archbold, KSMQ Station Manager. “His expertise in digital media and sponsorships, along with his deep passion for public media, will be instrumental in advancing our mission. Dennis will play a key role in strengthening relationships with our community, sponsors, and partners while driving digital transformation to expand our audiences across broadcast, digital, and social platforms. His appointment underscores KSMQ’s commitment to fostering strong community partnerships that amplify the impact of public television.”

(AUSTIN, Minn.) October 29, 2024. KSMQ Public Television is among 50 public media stations selected to participate in the Digital Transformation Program, a virtual program developed by the Poynter Institute to educate, assist, and coach public media senior leaders and their staff on the best strategies and tactics to transform their organization’s digital operations and culture.