Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks to Bill Zortman about his 60 years in broadcasting.

From Chat GPT

Biography

Bill Zortman built a broadcasting career spanning more than 60 years in radio, television and newspaper journalism.

Here are some highlights of his life and career:


Early life: Grew up on a sheep farm near Onawa, Iowa.


Education: Attended the University of Iowa, studying broadcast journalism.


Military service: Served with the Iowa Air National Guard beginning in 1968.


Television career: Worked in television news in Iowa, New Mexico, Texas and other states, including serving as a news director.


South Dakota: Moved to the Sioux Falls area with his wife, Carolyn, in 2000.


Red Cross: Served as executive director of the American Red Cross in South Dakota and Nebraska, including during the September 11, 2001, period.


KELO Radio: Joined KELO in 2007 and became host of It's Your Business and It's Your AgriBusiness.

Awards and recognition 2024 Award

Milt Hakel Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Award

Presented by the National Farmers Union on March 11, 2024, recognizing his longstanding coverage of agriculture and rural communities.

He also received recognition from the Real Estate Association of the Sioux Empire for his community involvement.

Retirement – October 30, 2026

Bill Zortman concluded his broadcasting career on October 30, 2026, after more than six decades in journalism and thousands of radio programs. He turned 80 in September 2026.

 

 

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks to Bill Zortman about his 60 years in broadcasting.
From Chat GPT
Biography
Bill Zortman built a broadcasting career spanning more than 60 years in radio, television and newspaper journalism.
Here are some highlights of his life and career:
<ul>
<li>
Early life: Grew up on a sheep farm near Onawa, Iowa.
</li>
<li>
Education: Attended the University of Iowa, studying broadcast journalism.
</li>
<li>
Military service: Served with the Iowa Air National Guard beginning in 1968.
</li>
<li>
Television career: Worked in television news in Iowa, New Mexico, Texas and other states, including serving as a news director.
</li>
<li>
South Dakota: Moved to the Sioux Falls area with his wife, Carolyn, in 2000.
</li>
<li>
Red Cross: Served as executive director of the American Red Cross in South Dakota and Nebraska, including during the September 11, 2001, period.
</li>
<li>
KELO Radio: Joined KELO in 2007 and became host of It's Your Business and It's Your AgriBusiness.
</li>
</ul>
Awards and recognition 2024 Award
Milt Hakel Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Award
Presented by the National Farmers Union on March 11, 2024, recognizing his longstanding coverage of agriculture and rural communities.
He also received recognition from the Real Estate Association of the Sioux Empire for his community involvement.
Retirement &ndash; October 30, 2026
Bill Zortman concluded his broadcasting career on October 30, 2026, after more than six decades in journalism and thousands of radio programs. He turned 80 in September 2026.
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A community issues and answering program that focuses on the city and people of the Sioux Empire.