Sheila Brummer
Western Iowa ReporterExpertise: Reporting, writing and producing stories about people and western Iowa life, all with an ear to help IPR listeners and readers understand their communities and a portion of the state that can often feel forgotten.
Education: Masters degree from Buena Vista University, Bachelors degree from Morningside University
Favorite Iowa Destination: The Iowa Great Lakes and the Iowa State Fair!
Experience:
- Covered local and statewide issues and stories, for IPR, as well as for TV and radio stations in Nevada, Wisconsin, Nebraska and across Iowa, including KCCI-TV, WOWT, KMTV and KWIT-KOJI Siouxland Public Media
- Has reported and written features on western Iowa flooding and weather events, immigrant and indigenous communities, agriculture and the environment
- Is a multi-award-winning reporter, including seven regional Edward R. Murrow awards for writing and other reporting, regional Emmy awards through the Upper Midwest Emmys for her TV work, several Iowa Broadcast News Association awards and more
- Has reported and produced features for NPR
- Has served as president of the Iowa Broadcast News Association and on the board for the Midwest Broadcast Journalism Association
My Favorite Stories
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President Joe Biden approved a presidential disaster declaration for parts of northwest Iowa after catastrophic flooding. As the major flood threat moved downstream, one of the hardest hit communities focused on clean-up and finding what could be salvaged. -
Saturday is the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since then, nearly 500,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to the U.S., and one woman has helped bring dozens of them to a northwest Iowa county. -
The new mural downtown features 63 butterflies in all, representing the nationalities of people now living in Storm Lake. -
The annual butterfly migration is underway. For decades scientists have relied on volunteers to tag butterflies to provide details about their journey. -
Principal oboist Jeffrey Paul received a commission to create his own concerto. His vision included creating a brand-new instrument. But reaching his goal proved harder than imagined.
My Latest Stories
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Federal immigration agent raids may have faded from the headlines, but not from many people’s minds. In northwest Iowa, community members are stepping up to help immigrants living with uncertainty. -
Many people enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Loess Hills of western Iowa. The professional boxer George Foreman loved it so much that he was buried there, even though he had no ties to the area. -
The future of more than 20 small-town newspapers and shopping guides is in the air as the publisher seeks new owners. Experts say the future of rural journalism likely depends on digital growth and new funding models, including nonprofit support. -
Thousands of Iowans joined "No Kings" protests over the weekend, including hundreds who gathered in Sioux City. Organizers said the demonstrations were meant to push back against what they view as abuses of power by the Trump administration. -
Sioux City leaders are eyeing cuts of about $1 million, or 25%, from the public library system’s budget as part of ongoing city budget talks. The library director warns that reductions would slash programming and staffing.
