Alex Jirgens joined KIMT as a multimedia journalist in January of 2018.

Title: Multimedia journalist

ajirgens@kimt.com

https://www.facebook.com/jirgensKIMT3/

I am a native of the Sunflower State...Kansas! I was born in Ottawa, grew up in Pleasanton (both near Kansas City), McPherson and then Lehigh (both near Wichita), where I grew up on a farm. After high school, I then attended Hutchinson Community College for two years. After a couple years of working and saving up, I went back to school, this time at Kansas State (Every Man a Wildcat!) in the Fall of 2015. I graduated in December 2017 with a B.S. in Journalism/Mass Communication, and minored in Geography.

I have been interested in media as a whole since I was a kid, where I would keep my ear next to the radio, my eyeballs were glued to the TV, and reading the newspaper before school. I first broke into broadcasting at radio stations KHUT and KWBW in Hutchinson, as a board operator for a Sunday morning church service and high school athletic broadcasts, in October 2012. In August 2013, I joined KBBE radio in McPherson, hosting a Sunday morning Christian music show. In addition, I produced commercials and weather updates, as well as hosting two New Year's Eve shows. In September 2015, I accepted two positions: one at Manhattan Broadcasting Company, where I was a DJ on two stations, delivered live severe weather coverage on four stations, hosted a halftime scoreboard show for Friday night football broadcasts, and later became a City Commission reporter and overnight newscaster; and another with K-State's campus station KSDB, where I hosted a live talk show called "Open Mic" once a week, and a couple of music shows, as well as producing station imaging and promotions. In addition, I also anchored, produced and directed newscasts for K-State's TV station KKSU. During the Summer of 2017, I was accepted into an internship program at all-news radio station 680 News/CFTR in Toronto, Canada, an experience I will never forget. I did everything from reporting and script writing to doing live traffic updates and business reports. In November 2017, I was offered a position at KIMT.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling and sightseeing (if there is anything I should see in Iowa or Minnesota that you recommend, please let me know!), cooking, attending live music and comedy events, listening to new and old music (I have a very diverse taste in music...from hip hop to soundtracks, I listen to it all!), rooting for the Wildcats, Chiefs, Royals, Packers (there's a long story behind that) and Vikings, and visiting with family and friends.

One Vision launching 'host home' program

The program allows singles and families to provide supervision, support, and/or personal care to a person with a developmental or intellectual disability, brain injury, and/or behavior health needs

Worthwhile wind and solar farm project drawing concerns from residents

Residents who live in the project's planned area have raised quality of life and environmental concerns, and are asking the Winnebago Co. Board of Supervisors to put a pause on the project and make changes

Reopening date for the Albert Lea Community Theatre delayed until Fall 2021

Though board members were hoping to reopen earlier in 2020, health concerns from the ongoing pandemic have delayed the resumption of live shows to about late September/early October time frame

Cutting the ribbon on Mason City's newest housing development

Within the first month of being open, The River apartments and townhomes has seen a nearly 70% occupancy rate, reflecting a demand for market-rate housing in North Iowa

COVID-19 antibody medication being administered at Floyd Co. Medical Center

Blamlanivimab was recently authorized for emergency use by the FDA, and is used on high risk, COVID positive patients to reduce the likelihood of developing a serious infection

A big 'thank you' to all who donated to Toys for Tots

In 2020, the campaign distributed over 17,000 toys to nearly 6,000 kids in North Iowa

Former Mason City YWCA building to be redeveloped

Two Minnesota-based artists are looking to redevelop the building into a multi-use space featuring residences, studios, performance space, offices and a hydroponic community garden

North Iowa organizations partner to collect essential items for abuse and assault survivors

Essential items like conditioner, soap, granola bars and gift cards were being collected for survivors of abuse and assault as part of a collection drive held throughout North Iowa Monday

North Iowa woman recognized by Gov. Reynolds for mask making efforts

During this past Tuesday's Condition of the State address, Blanche Chizek of Britt was noted by Governor Kim Reynolds as an example of Iowans' hard work during the pandemic

Ground broken for Albert Lea primary care clinic

After 43 months of meetings, negotiations and delays, the former Herbergers space at Northbridge Mall will be transformed into a primary care clinic operated by MercyOne North Iowa, with a primary opening date of July 1

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 457317

Reported Deaths: 6192

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 314395

Reported Deaths: 4445