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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Each year, Choose Iowa awards grants to local farmers and agriculture-related businesses. The state initiative also helps promote products made and grown in Iowa — and it’s continuing to grow. One western Iowa farm is thriving with support from the program. -
As a federal program that helps school districts buy electric buses is under review, one of Iowa’s largest school systems is putting new EV buses on the road this week. -
An Iowa Lakes Community College baseball player was killed and 32 other people were injured when the team’s bus overturned Wednesday in northwest Iowa. College leaders pledge to support students through this time. -
Iowa has seen below-normal snowfall since December, creating what weather experts call a "snow drought." The dry conditions have disrupted winter recreation and raised concerns about the ecosystem at a wildlife preserve in northwest Iowa. -
John Norwood, a Democrat from West Des Moines, has entered the 2026 race for Iowa state treasurer. He pledges to safeguard Iowa’s financial future as he challenges Republican incumbent Roby Smith, who announced his reelection bid in December.
