Ron Steele is an American journalist and news anchor for KWWL-TV.
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Best Known For:The television show KWWL News
Breakthrough:Was born in Washington, Iowa in 1950
10 Quick Facts About Ron Steele
- Full Name: Ron Steele
- Nationality: American
- Profession: News anchor and journalist
- Known For: The television show KWWL News
- Place of Birth: Washington, Iowa
- Birth Year: 1950
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Candy Steele
- Children: Katie Steele
- Popular As: Ronald Lee Steele
Ron Steele Age
Ron Steele is about 76 years old as of 2026. Ron Steele was born in 1950.
Education
He attended University of Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
- University of Iowa
- Qualification: Bachelor of Arts
- Field of Study: Journalism
- Period: Graduated in 1973
Career & Work
Ron Steele's career includes news and reporting roles with KWWL-TV, a television station and University of Northern Iowa.
Organization: KWWL-TV
Role: Evening News Anchor and Journalist
Period: 1979–February 27, 2025
Details: Waterloo, Iowa
Organization: University of Northern Iowa
Role: Electronic Media Writing Instructor
Period: Approximately 2004–2014
Details: Cedar Falls, Iowa · Taught electronic media writing for approximately ten years.
Organization: KWWL-TV
Role: The Steele Report Host
Period: From 2013; historical
Details: Waterloo, Iowa · Presented a weekly public affairs and current-events program.
Organization: KWWL-TV
Role: Sports Director
Period: 1974–1979
Details: Waterloo, Iowa · Joined KWWL on April 1, 1974, and became the original sports play-by-play voice of the Iowa Television Network.
Organization: WOC Radio
Role: Radio Broadcaster
Period: 1973–1974
Details: Davenport, Iowa · Began his post-university broadcasting career in radio.
Organization: University of Iowa Campus Radio
Role: Disc Jockey
Period: College years
Details: Iowa City, Iowa · Developed an interest in broadcasting while working at the university's radio station.
Rise to Fame
Ron Steele rose to prominence for his role on the television show KWWL News.
Notable Works
Notable media work includes KWWL News, The Steele Report, and Iowa Television Network Sports.
Television
- TV Show: KWWL News (Evening News Anchor, 1979-2025) — More than four decades as a principal evening news presenter at KWWL
- TV Show: The Steele Report (Host, From 2013) — Weekly current-affairs interview and discussion program
- TV Show: Friday Night Heroes (High School Sports Videographer and Reporter) — Contributed footage and reporting on Iowa high school football
Sports Events
- Sports Event: Iowa Television Network Sports (Play-by-Play Announcer, From 1974) — Early television sports coverage involving University of Iowa athletics
- Sports Event: 1977 Women's College Basketball Finals (Play-by-Play Commentator, 1977) — National women's college basketball championship coverage
- Sports Event: NCAA Division II Wrestling Finals (Play-by-Play Commentator) — College wrestling championship broadcasting
- Work: Iran Hostage Return Coverage (Reporter, 1981) — Reported from the White House as American hostages returned from Iran
Notable Coverage
- Return of United States hostages from Iran – KWWL-TV – 1981 – Reported from the White House when Americans held hostage in Iran returned to the United States
- Persian Gulf conflict – KWWL-TV – Reported on the Persian Gulf conflict, including coverage from Saudi Arabia
- United States presidential interviews – KWWL-TV – Interviewed George H. W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump during his journalism career
- Major national sporting events – KWWL-TV – Reported on the Olympics, Super Bowl, NCAA basketball and Heisman Trophy events
Awards & Achievements
- Hall of Fame Induction — Iowa Broadcasters Association — Distinguished contributions to broadcasting in Iowa.
- Gold Circle Honor — Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences — 2026 — More than 50 years of exceptional service and contributions to television broadcasting.
Ron Steele Family & Relationships
Ron Steele is married to Candy Steele. He has 1 child, Katie Steele.
- Children:
- Katie Steele
Lesser Known Facts
- Steele was born in Washington, Iowa, and grew up in Wapello.
- He originally considered becoming a teacher and coach before entering journalism.
- He was an early play-by-play voice of the Iowa Television Network.
- He has completed ten marathons.
- He ran the Chicago Marathon with his daughter Katie in 2008.
- He almost rejected KWWL's job offer after waiting approximately three months for a response.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Ron Steele
- Popular As: Ronald Lee Steele
- Gender: Male
- Occupation: News anchor and journalist
- Nationality: American
- Living Status: Alive
Birth & Background
- Birth Year: 1950
- Place of Birth: Washington, Iowa
Family & Relationships
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Candy Steele
- Children: Katie Steele
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $68,000–$298,000 (Estimated range)
- Net Worth: $380,000–$5,422,000 (Estimated range)
- Source of Income: Broadcast employment and related professional work
Related Biographies
- Candy Steele (Spouse • Wife.)
- Katie Steele (Child • Daughter who ran the Chicago Marathon with Steele in 2008.)
- Grant Price (Mentor • Veteran KWWL news director who offered Steele his first position at the station.)
