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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A deadly bus crash in Tanzania, Africa, made international headlines eight years ago. Today, the only three survivors — known as the “Miracle Kids” — live and study in Iowa, and are preparing to graduate from community college in Sioux City. -
An EF-3 tornado destroyed homes, businesses and lives in Minden on April 26, 2024. The traumatic experience shifted the perspective of the community's long-time mayor. -
More than 950 students, teachers and staff in the Rock Valley Community School District were impacted when historic flooding swept across northwest Iowa in June 2024. Today, they remain united after months of recovery efforts. -
A jury in Woodbury County recently reached a guilty verdict in the killing of a Sioux City man who was Native American. Advocates say the case is an example of how Indigenous people are at higher risk for gun violence and death. -
As negotiations for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia continue without a solid resolution, a different conflict plays out for Ukrainian refugees living in Iowa. Some fear being forced to leave their new and peaceful lives.
