Sandy Drag

The two things that interested Sandy during her high school years were broadcast news and teaching. Realizing reporting was in her heart, Sandy moved on to St. Cloud State University where she spent five years getting two degrees.

During her college years, Sandy spent a good deal of time learning to work in the news world. She started as a floor director at the school's television station, and worked her way up to reporter, anchor and producer. Sandy graduated with both a Mass Communication and Speech Communication degree in 2001, and moved to Duluth almost immediately.

"My experience here in the Northland, and at WDIO has been amazing," says Sandy, "I've learned so much from the people in this area, and the colleagues I work with every day."

After two years, Sandy emerged as the Iron Range reporter putting together the segment, This Week in Mining for our Iron Range viewers on a regular basis. In 2005, Sandy began anchoring Eyewitness News at Five, a bittersweet transition from working the Iron Range beat. "I really consider the people on the Iron Range family, so I miss my regular trips to the area" says Sandy.

In 2006, Sandy was awarded the Minnesota Associated Press First Place Award in the Documentary/Investigative category, Northwest Broadcast News Association Eric Sevareid Award in the Investigative/Small Market TV category and the Radio and Television News Directors Association 2006 Edward R. Murrow Award for the story, "What Happened in Mexico." Sandy also was presented with the Minnesota AP Award of Merit in the Special/Series category for the piece, "Left Behind."

Sandy was born in Wayne, New Jersey, but grew up in Maple Grove, Minnesota. She bought a house in Duluth and with a smile says, "It's a lot of work, but it's a place that I can call home."

You can contact Sandy at sdrag@wdio.com.