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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

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?
8 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.
8 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.
8 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.
8 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.
8 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.
8 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.
8 months ago

Sistek: Western WA flooding could break all-time records as atmospheric river unleashes historic rainfall

Meteorologist Scott Sistek said some rivers are approaching their worst-ever levels, with 12 waterways reaching "major" flood stage across the region.
8 months ago

Harger: Washington’s floods don’t care about your politics

Governor Ferguson declared a statewide emergency yesterday. And you know what I'm seeing online? People attacking him. Viciously.
8 months ago

‘Thrive, not just survive’: Foster dad shares how Treehouse changed his son’s life

After getting licensed through a foster care organization, the couple received their infant son. They then went to Treehouse for clothing and other support.
8 months ago

Harger: Supporting foster kids this Christmas through Treehouse

Tomorrow is our annual fundraiser for Treehouse, an organization that supports foster kids across Washington.
8 months ago

Mass: Atmospheric river to bring 10-15 inches of rain, major flooding to Western Washington Tuesday-Wednesday

Western Washington residents woke up Monday to their final hours of dry weather before a powerful atmospheric river unleashes 10-15 inches of rain.
8 months ago

New ratings reveal huge price gaps: Where to save the most on groceries in western WA

Discover tips for saving on groceries in western WA and make your shopping experience in the Puget Sound area more affordable.
8 months ago

Seattle middle school tutor sentenced to at least 102 months for child rape, possessing modified images of students

A math tutor receives maximum sentence for assaulting a student and possessing altered explicit images, highlighting serious safety concerns.
8 months ago

‘Hurricane Hunter’ plane deploys to Pacific Northwest as major atmospheric river takes aim at Seattle

NOAA is sending its famed reconnaissance aircraft into a powerful storm system that threatens widespread flooding and damaging winds for Western Washington from Monday through Wednesday.
8 months ago

Harger: WA’s ‘criminal support system’ keeps releasing the same violent teens

Sanders called it a criminal support system. When you support the wrong people at the expense of victims and safety, the results are predictable. We're seeing them.
8 months ago

Harger on the WA budget crisis: Will Gov. Ferguson keep his no-tax promise this time?

With a multi-billion dollar shortfall looming, the 2025 legislative session is shaping up to be a showdown over taxes and spending.
8 months ago