Rick Brewer

Public radio journalist & news director @WCMUNews | Formerly @IowaPublicRadio @WFIU | @DenisonU & @IndianaUniv alum | Tips: [email protected]

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

“I think Twitter should come with a warning when you open it, especially for journalists, that says 8 out of 10 Americans do not use this.” -@amandaripley

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

Democrats maintain Michigan Senate majority. @MIRSnews has called the 35th District special election for Democrat @ChedrickGreene. Republican @TunneyforSenate has conceded, per @WCMUNews reporter AJ Jones, who is at the Greene campaign watch party in Saginaw.

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

Officials are working around the clock to try and prevent water from overtaking the Cheboygan Dam. WCMU's Emma George-Griffin was on the ground and captured some video of water racing through the dam.

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

Large water pumps have been installed at the Cheboygan Dam to try and divert water away from the dam. The Michigan DNR said they now have 11 pumps up and running. From WCMU's Emma George-Griffin.

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

WCMU's Emma George-Griffin was on the ground across northern Michigan reporting on widespread flooding. This is at Marian Park in Indian River, MI

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department released a map of areas in Cheboygan that may experience flooding.  The areas shaded in green are “the target area for potential flooding,” according to the department.

[MichEMHS @MichEMHS]

Crews have installed additional pumps at the Cheboygan Dam to help move more water through and manage rising water levels. Officials continue to closely monitor conditions and adjust operations as needed.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed, follow guidance from local officials and use caution around the waterway.

@MichStatePolice | #micheboygandam2026 | #emergencymanagement | #miwx

[Governor Gretchen Whitmer @GovWhitmer]

Today, I’m declaring a State of Emergency in Cheboygan County to coordinate ongoing work around the Cheboygan Dam.

This emergency declaration will help local, state, and federal officials protect Michiganders and property from flooding following record snowfall and recent rain.

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

The @MichStatePolice say water levels at the Cheboygan Dam are now 18 inches from the top of the dam. When it reaches 12 inches, the @MichiganDNR says it will begin executing an emergency plan. The exact details of that plan have not yet been made public.

[NCAA Division III @NCAADIII]

One Shining Moment: Division III edition 🌟🎥

#WhyD3

[NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners @NCAABuzzerBters]

41-year Nebraska announcer Kent Pavelka’s (@KentPavelka) call of the end of #4 Nebraska’s win over #5 Vanderbilt and advancement to their first Sweet 16

[NCAC @NCAC]

NATIONAL. CHAMPS. 💍

For the first time in program history, @DenisonSports bring home the @NCAADIII women’s basketball national title! Congratulations @DUWBB! 🏆

#NCACPride | #ncacwbkb | #d3hoops

[Ben Portnoy @bportnoy15]

Really cool moment tonight postgame after VCU upset UNC. VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. made a point to shoutout the student reporters that made the trip.

Lots of great stuff this time of year, but this was a really awesome, genuine exchange.

[Matt Jones @KySportsRadio]

High Point student radio call of the game is what it is all about

[Jon Root @JonnyRoot_]

19 years ago, Jason McElwain, the autistic manger for his high school basketball team, played for the first time.

In the final 4 minutes, he scored 20 points.

I’ll never forget watching this in HS & seeing him win an ESPY over Kobe’s 81-point game

[Michigan Storm Chasers @MiStormChasers]

We don’t have alligators ❌
We don’t have hurricanes ❌
We don’t have volcanoes❌

But we do have snow drifts that are taller than our houses ✅

This was sent in from De Tour Village, MI which is in the far eastern section of the Upper Peninsula. Thank you to Tiffany for allowing us to share.

[MSP Seventh District @mspnorthernmi]

This is what Alpena looks like. Please do not travel. If you see a downed power line, STOP 🛑 do not touch it, and dial 9-1-1 to report it.

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

The @NWSGaylord has issued an ice storm warning for northern Michigan. Details below: https://t.co/czJA9Eo1JY

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

This post came across my feed last night. Absolutely love its message and could not agree more Alex. Congratulations on your career move @aseitzwald! Sending you well wishes from Michigan.

[Alex Seitz-Wald @aseitzwald]

An objectively wild career move and one I couldn’t be happier with or prouder of. The world needs more local reporters more than it needs more national ones and even if I go back to national reporting one day, I’ll be a much better reporter for this experience.

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

Blizzard warnings have been issued for most of the UP and local agencies are discouraging travel as a major winter storm makes its way to northern Michigan. The latest from @WCMUNews https://t.co/cDDMYMtmN5

[Rick Brewer @Reporter_Brewer]

@bensolis1 @PeterHamby Could not agree more with you, Ben. I view my role as an editor as a coach and mentor. If my reporters don’t improve over time, that’s on me. We must take time to develop people. Young, early career journalists need mentoring, not chat bots.