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.
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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.
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The new mural downtown features 63 butterflies in all, representing the nationalities of people now living in Storm Lake.
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The annual butterfly migration is underway. For decades scientists have relied on volunteers to tag butterflies to provide details about their journey.
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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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Black Hills Energy is facing scrutiny over compliance with state and federal regulations after inspectors found multiple violations. The Iowa Utilities Commission could order the company to pay civil fines or take steps to address the problems.
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Decades after Terri McCauley was killed in Sioux City, a jury could not reach a verdict in the first-degree murder trial of a man accused of her 1983 death. Her family said the mistrial is a setback, but their push for justice isn’t over.
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After hearing from community members who wanted a one-year pause on data centers, the Salix City Council rejected a proposed moratorium. Google is considering a project near the small town.
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More than 60 years after a Cold War missile site was deactivated near Missouri Valley, a toxic compound remains in the groundwater. People living nearby are pressing federal officials for answers about health risks and how long the cleanup will take.
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A longtime Iowa State Fair tradition gave Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand a chance to make their case to voters. They offered different visions for the state while portraying themselves as willing to challenge politics as usual.