Iowa Senator Congratulates KWWL’s Ron Steele on Journalism Career

Earlier this month, veteran journalist and news anchor Ron Steele announced he'd be leaving KWWL after more than 50 years with the company. During his announcement, he said his final day on the air would be February 27th, 2025, which didn't leave much time for a farewell tour — at least one fitting enough to compliment the legacy of the man himself.

That said, the entire month of February, Iowans from every corner of the state have been signing the praises of Ron Steele and the consummate professional that he is. The steadfast journalist even heard his name mentioned on the U.S. Senate floor, when an Iowa politician began his opening remarks by congratulating Steele on a phenomenal career.

Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley heaped well-deserved praise on Ron Steele on the U.S. Senate Floor on February 26th:

Tomorrow will be his last day behind the anchor desk, after more than 50 years bringing news, weather and sports to Iowans. Over the years, he’s interviewed newsmakers from around the world and across our state, spanning U.S. presidents, Nobel laureates, Olympic medalists and hometown athletes - Chuck Grassley, per Senate.gov

Grassley remarked about how Iowans always looked forward to his "Friday Night Heroes" segment on KWWL-TV News. Furthermore, he noted how Steele started "Iowa's Child," which has helped 200 foster children find their forever families, as well as how he's worked hard to help children with special needs over his many decades as a public figure.

Ron Steele started with KWWL all the way back in 1974, working as a sports director, and has become beloved by Iowans over the course of over 50 years.

Ron Steele was at the White House when American hostages came home from Iran in 1981. He covered the Persian Gulf War Conflict live from Saudi Arabia, right in the middle of Desert Storm. In 2013, he hosted a Sunday morning program called The Steele Report, which revolved around Iowans making waves in their home-state ad beyond, as well as current topics impacting those across the state.

KWWL News Director Andrew Altenbern said it best: "Ron is an icon among Iowans with an undeniable legacy."

In back-to-back years, 2023 and 2024, I co-emceed the annual American Heart Association Heart Walk in Dubuque alongside Ron Steele. He couldn't have been friendlier. On top of being such a joy to banter with, both in private and in front of an audience, the man made everyone who came up to him feel like a close friend.

Read more on Ron Steele's upcoming exit from KWWL after more than 50 years on KWWL's website. Watch Chuck Grassley congratulate Steele on an amazing career on Twitter/X too.