Tom Hanson, a Mitchell native, started his career as a news anchor and reporter at KXON TV in Mitchell and worked his way to progressively larger markets ending in Salt Lake City, UT. He returned home to South Dakota in 1999. Tom is currently South Dakota’s most experienced evening news anchor. His unseen contribution to broadcasting and one of the contributing factors to his recognition is his mentorship of young journalists. Reporters from across the region wrote letters describing Tom as humble, a teacher who was never too busy, a person to count on, their mentor, their co-worker, and their friend. During his 35 year career, Tom has served in numerous roles in front of and behind the camera. He has earned numerous awards from the Associated Press, and United Press International. He is a member of an award-winning newsroom recognized with both an Emmy and Edward R Murrow Award for best newscast. Tom won the Tom Brokaw Award in 2014.