Insight and commentary on life in the Pacific Northwest
Bill Radke
Join Bill Radke for The Bill Radke Treatment weekends on KIRO Radio.
About Bill Radke
Bill is co-host of Seattle's Morning news, 5-9, on 97.3 KIRO FM. Bill is well known in the Northwest as a journalist, author, comedian, and talk show host. Radke started his career at KIRO as an intern in 1983. He recently returned home from Los Angeles.

Making a move

You may have heard that Seattle's Morning News is doing a reboot. John Curley will be your morning host, bringing his vitality and intelligence to the mornings. I'm a huge Curley fan.

Linda Thomas will leave the show to become KIRO Radio's Senior Features Reporter and Digital Journalist. She'll continue her fantastic, award-winning News Chick blog and file original web reports on parenting, politics, technology and trends - whatever captures her limitless imagination. She is a jewel in every way.

I'll be moving to another local radio station where I intend to steal all the secrets to KIRO's success: deliver the news and connect the dots through the eyes of thinkers and talkers, from the meaningful to the offbeat, bringing you what's most interesting right now.

KIRO is a Northwest treasure and I'll treasure the friendships I've made here. Thank you for listening, emailing and posting here. Oh, and to my friend Tom Tangney: Tom, I want you to know that I'm about to sleep in for a month. Jealous much?


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Comments (43)


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  • calapete wrote...
    NOOOOOOO!
    Sorry to hear the news. You are a class act and I look forward to hearing you on the dial somewhere else soon.
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  • daveismenotyou wrote...
    Yessssssss!
    I won't miss you Bill.
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  • cat (1) wrote...
    Dang it!
    Doggone it!!! Bill, I love your energy and enthusiasm and am going to miss you terribly on 97.3. Seems like we all just get used to someone new and get in the groove and then BAM! they're gone. Wishing you the very best and will be listening to you when I find you on the next station...
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  • jjmamaof3 wrote...
    Don't get it
    I as well am confused why all the changes in hosts. I loved Jane Shannon, had to lose her on KIRO and got to be good with the current hosts and now once again-gone. Nothing wrong with John Curly in general but classy is not a word I would use for him and what he chats about. I had to stop listening at night because of him taking over and that was OK with me. I can listen to music at night but I will have to find another news source in the mornings because I won't listen to John with my kids while getting ready each morning and on the drive to school. I will be here for Dori and Ron and Don. We'll have to see who they bring in for the nightshift. I've been a KIRO listener for 12 years and I don't think the station much cares if I stay or leave. Sad but how I feel. Good luck Bill. Glad to hear Linda will be around somewhere at least.
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  • mickel wrote...
    Good Luck!
    I never liked the way you acted like you were reporting the news when you weren't. You intertwine your opinion every time. That isn't "news". It got on my nerves, so I quit listening. That doesn't mean you aren't a great guy. I am hopeful your new spot is labeled "opinion" and not news if you choose to maintain your same format. Ohhh...perhaps you are going to FOX? ;)
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  • boeingmarcus wrote...
    Good change
    I'll miss not having Linda in the morning, but I can get by without a condescending person telling me how I should feel about the news.
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  • mickel wrote...
    @ Good change
    yeah, that is how I felt, too. No hard feelings to Bill, but he did come across condescending. I didn't really nail it in my previous post, like you did.
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  • qwahdog wrote...
    in Bill's defense...
    The fact that Bill inserted his opinion after every story was part of gig - it's all part of the "The Conversation Station" thing. If you want pure news, go to KOMO or NPR. I like the personal-ness of KIRO and I am sad to see Bill go. Best of luck Bill! Ryan
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  • Seattle is a cesspool wrote...
    qwahdog...
    There's a difference between a "conversation" and shoving you Liberal BS opinion down everyone's throat. Tangney and Curley should add a decent variation of opinions. Later Bill, you will not be missed.
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  • everlast99 wrote...
    Where ya goin?
    When and where should we tune in to hear you?
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  • AKAF wrote...
    Good Luck!
    Good luck, Bill. It may be selfish but glad to see KIRO will have some competition.
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  • wheresjane wrote...
    RIGHT ON!
    Curley is just what is needed. Now I can turn KOMO and Greg off. The morning show needs some fun and Curley is the man!
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  • Tagger68 wrote...
    You will be VERY missed...
    I'm really sorry to hear this news. I've loved listening to you, Linda and Tom and will likely find a new morning station, as I can't stand Mr. Curley's nonsense and pointless stories. Bad move KIRO...
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  • DJFavorite wrote...
    Mornings won't be the same...
    .. John has some big shoes to fill with you and Linda being gone. I'm glad Tom's not going anywhere, or I'd be totally lose every morning.
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  • shark75 wrote...
    You’re a good guy Radke
    But I like Curley better anyway. Please tell me you are taking Ron and Don with you. PLEASSSSE!!!
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  • ShannonT wrote...
    An Early Christmas Present!
    I'm so happy about this news! Never cared for his snarky comments...I need a pick me up in the morning, not what he delivered. Now, if they can only get rid of the increasingly childish antics on the Ron & Don Show...the giggling girls need to go! Doesn't KIRO care about the middle aged demographic any longer??? I used to love the drive at 5 and now have to turn it off...Sad. But, good news on the morning!
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  • qwahdog wrote...
    ...giggling girls
    I agree about the giggling girls, but I can't agree with you about Ron and Don. They're great - except Ron's sort of a bonehead sometimes. Less giggling girls and more Ron and Don.
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