Hey Sioux Empire-Meet The New Brand Manager For KIKN Country

Hello to everyone across the 605 and beyond! I'm Christine Manika and I'm the new 99.1 & 100.5 KIKN-FM Brand Manager.

You'll hear me on the Midday Show from 9 AM until 12 noon. I'm super excited to start this new journey with you!

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Some fun facts about me: I am from the western suburbs of Chicago. However, I have lived in Sioux Falls for eight years. Once I graduated from college, I was offered an opportunity to work for a local television station. My time with this station set the foundation for my career. I learned a lot. But more importantly, I grew as a person in a professional and personal sense.

I took a risk to move to a new city and state. In recent years, no one in my family has taken this leap of faith. It was hard to leave my life behind, but I knew it was something I had to do to start my career. If it wasn't for my family's love and support, I wouldn't be here. My twin sister, Katie is a huge part of my cheer squad. She's a veterinarian at a local clinic in Naperville, Illinois. She's crushing it as Dr. Katie!

She's been to a few shows in the 605 with me, including when Rascal Flatts came to Sioux Falls!

I met my "California Kid" in Sioux Falls five years ago, my husband and professional golfer Chris Gilman. We got married on March 15th, 2024.

Radio has always been a huge part of my life. I remember my parents always having the radio on in the car or kitchen. The stations would switch between 670 The Score, 93.9 The Lite FM, and anything country. I was always curious about who was behind the microphone and how to have his/her job.

Throughout my college career, I was part of two college radio stations, 93.3 The Joe and WXAV. My three-hour show on Friday nights brought people home from work or helped get a party started! Not only was I a DJ, but I was also the sports reporter during football and basketball season.

You might have also heard my voice on a sister station with Results-Townsquare Media in Sioux Falls. Outside of the radio booth, I am the Emcee Court and Game Day Announcer with the G-League Affiliate with the Miami Heat, Sioux Falls Skyforce! I also currently sit on the Board of Directors for the Teddy Bear Den and volunteer with Call to Freedom and Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons.

My hope with KIKN Country is to grow this audience through local events, artist interviews, concerts, and of course giving you the best new country music across the 605. A big shoutout to the former Brand Manager of 99.1 & 100.5 KIKN-FM...JD Collins. JD, thank you for sharing your talents on KIKN over the decades and for helping me transition into this new role. Enjoy retirement-You're already missed around the office!

It has been a privilege to work with Results-Townsquare Media for a majority of my career. I'm looking forward to getting to know you and seeing you around the Sioux Empire!

Sioux Falls Through The Generations

Top 14 Restaurants That Should Come Back to Sioux Falls

Some friends and I were getting together for dinner and we were trying to decide where to go. That’s when we started reminiscing about our favorite Sioux Falls restaurants that have come and gone. Here's a list of 14 restaurants I want to come back to Sioux Falls. What restaurants were your favorites that are no longer in Sioux Falls?

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown