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Host, Seattle's Morning News

Charlie Harger

About

I’m a journalist with more than 30 years of experience covering the stories that shape life in western Washington. I host Seattle’s Morning News on KIRO Newsradio, where I help listeners start their day informed, prepared, and sometimes even entertained.

My reporting has earned multiple national and regional awards, including several Edward R. Murrow Awards. I’ve also been named APTRA’s Radio Reporter of the Year and recognized for investigative reporting on major stories like the Boeing 737 MAX crisis and interviews with serial killer Gary Ridgway.

I specialize in making complex issues understandable, focusing on how news affects real people. I’m a fourth-generation western Washington resident and have called Auburn home for over a decade.

Before hosting, I served as News Director at KIRO, worked at KOMO for nearly two decades, and taught journalism at Green River College. I take news seriously — but believe the best reporting connects on a human level.

Expertise

  • Broadcast Journalism and Storytelling
  • Investigative and Accountability Reporting
  • Community Impact and Public Service Journalism

Experience

  • Host, Seattle’s Morning News – KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • News Director – KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • Reporter and Anchor – KOMO Newsradio
  • Broadcast Instructor – Green River College
  • Communications and Digital Media – Microsoft and tech startups

Education

B.A., Communications – Thomas Edison State University
M.S., Strategic Communication – Arkansas State University

Achievements & Awards

  • Edward R. Murrow Award – Hard News (2020)
  • Edward R. Murrow Award – Continuing Coverage (2019)
  • APTRA Award – Best Investigative Reporting (2019, 2014)
  • Edward R. Murrow Award – Best Newswriting (2015)
  • APTRA Award – Radio Reporter of the Year (2015)
  • APTRA Award – Best Spot News Coverage (2015)
  • Edward R. Murrow Award – Best Documentary (2014)
  • APTRA Award – Enterprise Coverage (2014)
  • Emmy Nomination – Investigative Journalism (2014)

Social Media Profiles

New Year’s Eve commentary: What 2025 took from us — and what we’re carrying into 2026

New Year's strikes at midnight. I've been thinking a lot about the year we're leaving behind. 2025 was hard. For a lot of us. Maybe for you.
8 months ago

Edmonds high school graduate becomes first American to win Young Cheesemonger of the Year

An Edmonds-Woodway High School graduate just made history winning the Young Cheesemonger of the Year award.
8 months ago

This Mexican chain has 500 locations, but zero in Washington. That just changed.

El Pollo Loco has launched its inaugural Washington restaurant in Kent, delighting fans of the popular Mexican chain.
8 months ago

Seattle’s office vacancy rate hits 26.6%, second-worst in nation. In days, it becomes Katie Wilson’s problem

Seattle's office market just landed another unwanted distinction. The city has the second-highest office vacancy rate among major U.S. markets, trailing only San Francisco.
8 months ago

Puyallup Walmart location to gain celebrated hot dog chain

Wienerschnitzel announced in a press release this week that it is opening a new location inside the Walmart Supercenter in Puyallup.
8 months ago

Inside ‘the boy in the tent’: Conditions were worse than anyone knew

Nearly two weeks after KIRO Newsradio first reported on a nine-year-old living in a fentanyl-filled encampment off Aurora Avenue, the tent has been abandoned.
8 months ago

Christmas Eve windstorm possible in western WA as forecast models clash

A potential Christmas Eve windstorm has Western Washington meteorologists facing one of the most uncertain forecasts in recent memory.
8 months ago

Harger: Boy living in tent off Aurora Avenue now receiving medical care, neighbors say

A nine-year-old boy was living in a tent just blocks off Aurora Avenue in North Seattle with his parents. His mother was addicted to fentanyl.
8 months ago

Prepare now: Christmas Eve windstorm threatens western WA with 40-60 mph gusts, power outages

A sudden Christmas Eve windstorm threat has Western Washington meteorologists scrambling Monday. The storm was not in forecasts just 24 hours ago.
8 months ago

Damaging Christmas Eve windstorm possible for western WA, but forecasters say uncertainty remains high

Western Washington may be in for a strong windstorm on Christmas Eve, but forecasters say they need a few more hours before they know for sure.
8 months ago

Harger: The holidays can be dangerous for mental health, prioritize yourself

We made it through the darkest day of the year. Quite literally. The winter solstice is behind us. From here, the days get longer. The light returns.
8 months ago

‘This kid’s going to die’: Neighbors say 9-year-old abandoned in tent off Aurora. CPS claims he’s not in danger.

A 9-year-old found safe; this issue highlights fentanyl's risk to vulnerable children. Insights into a troubling crisis.
8 months ago

Harger: A 9-year-old living in a tent off Aurora Ave. shows Seattle’s child safety failures

A few blocks off Aurora Ave., a nine-year-old boy lives in a tent with his parents. His mother is a fentanyl addict who works as a prostitute.
8 months ago

Sistek: Western WA’s weather nightmare finally easing; White Christmas ‘not zero’ chance for Seattle

December 2025's severe weather in western Washington shows signs of relief, raising hopes for a White Christmas in Seattle
8 months ago

Pacific levee breach: Evacuees likely can’t return until the weekend as another storm approaches

Hundreds evacuated in Pacific as levee breach prompts ongoing emergency orders. Community faces uncertain future.
8 months ago

Harger: The war on straws (plastic v. paper) is pure Seattle theater

The law in Washington is that food service businesses can only give you a single-use straw if you request one. It's a shakedown.
8 months ago

Western WA windstorm: ‘Wall of wind’ threatens Whidbey Island, Snohomish County

The December 2025 storm brings sudden 50-70 mph gusts between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. With soils still saturated from two weeks of record rainfall, downed trees and widespread power outages are likely.
8 months ago

Harger: If fentanyl isn’t a weapon of mass destruction, what is?

President Trump signed an executive order yesterday designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. What else are we supposed to call it?
9 months ago

Buehner: Green River flooding in Auburn won’t recede until this weekend

Auburn residents dealing with Green River flooding face several more days of high water, according to KIRO Newsradio meteorologist Ted Buehner.
9 months ago

Allard: New atmospheric river will make PNW ‘the wettest place in the world over the next six days’

While flooding may not reach the historic levels seen last week, a KIRO 7 meteorologist said the overall impacts could actually be worse.
9 months ago

Harger: Seattle shouldn’t hide Pride because Iran and Egypt demand it

On June 26, Iran plays Egypt in a World Cup match right here in Seattle. June. Seattle. That's Pride Month around here. And it's now an international incident.
9 months ago

Pineapple Express hits the Pacific Northwest Monday as region reels from historic flooding

A powerful Pineapple Express is set to impact Western Washington, following a brief reprieve this weekend.
9 months ago

Harger: Amidst a dark week for WA, we saw the light of ordinary heroes

Dozens and dozens of local residents showed up. The same scene in Ferndale. It happened across Skagit and Whatcom counties. All across Western Washington.
9 months ago

Which ‘Hurricane Hunters’ flew into Seattle’s storm? It’s more complicated than we thought

The Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew into the December 2025 atmospheric river that caused historic Western Washington flooding.
9 months ago