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

X, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, Threads: @KIROCharlie
Facebook: CharlieKIRO

‘Godzilla atmospheric river’ targets Seattle area with major flooding and landslide threats

The "Godzilla atmospheric river" system, as meteorologist Cliff Mass calls it, may bring major flooding, landslide dangers, and a month's worth of rain compressed into just days, with the worst conditions arriving Tuesday.

8 months ago

Harger: ‘South Hill Rapist’ Kevin Coe was free for 8 weeks before he died; his victims didn’t need to relive their trauma

Kevin Coe, the South Hill Rapist, dies after eight weeks of freedom, forcing survivors to relive their trauma for his release.

8 months ago

Seattle council president praises Wilson’s homeless plan, but warns city could ‘go backwards’

Council President Sara Nelson praises Wilson's efforts on homelessness while cautioning about potential setbacks in Seattle.

8 months ago

Harger: WA ignored its own plastic bag ban study. Now fees are increasing anyway

When Washington commissioned a study on its plastic bag ban and the science came back with inconvenient results, officials decided to disregard their own research.

8 months ago

Auburn mayor Nancy Backus claims she didn’t know details before writing letter for convicted child sex offender

Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus publicly addressed her controversial letter supporting a convicted child sex offender for the first time Monday night.

8 months ago

Harger: We’re in the way now as the personal shopping boom reshapes grocery stores

Their personal shopping service is clearly popular. The ratio of regular customers to personal shoppers felt about even. Maybe the shoppers even outnumbered us.

8 months ago

Gary Ridgway near death: Green River Killer who claimed 75-80 victims dying in WA prison

Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer and one of America's most prolific convicted serial killers, is receiving end-of-life care in a Washington state prison, according to five sources with knowledge of his condition who spoke to KIRO Newsradio in recent days.

8 months ago

Harger: Seattle Space Needle homeless camp grows as Mayor-elect Katie Wilson promises to end sweeps

Mayor-elect Katie Wilson faces challenges tackling the expanding homeless encampment near the iconic Space Needle in Seattle.

8 months ago

Harger: Seattle families confront addiction ahead of Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. All around Seattle, families will gather around tables. But for too many of those families, there will be an empty seat.

8 months ago

Seattle weather calms for Thanksgiving travelers, but cold patterns may loom

Travelers heading over the mountains for Thanksgiving can breathe a sigh of relief as the worst of this week's weather moves out, but meteorologist Scott Sistek warns that colder conditions could arrive by early December.

8 months ago

Harger: Teen assaults 80-year-old in Seattle — and is sent home the same day. What message does that send?

Here's the pattern: arrest, process, release. All in the same day. And when these teens turn 18, the system often works exactly the same way.