Close
MyNorthwest
News
Opinion
Sports
Tools
Connect

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: State Senate Budget Chair warns lawmakers that WA is broke

Senator June Robinson relayed a simple message: Don't even bother asking for new spending. The cupboard is bare. We're broke.
9 months ago

Harger: It’s only Socialism when Democrats do it

So here we are: Democrats seizing grocery stores, Republicans seizing tech companies and the steel industry, and everyone pretending their version doesn't count.
9 months ago

Sistek: NOAA denies Hurricane Hunter flight for WA storm as La Niña boosts Seattle snow chances

A Hurricane Hunter flight won’t be tracking this week’s West Coast storm, according to NOAA. Seattle weather blogger Scott Sistek says that despite the denial, La Niña is giving the region a good shot at snow this winter.
9 months ago

Harger: When Congress plays politics with SNAP, the American public pays the price

Have we really come to this? We're continuing a government shutdown, and we're cutting poor families off SNAP food benefits?
9 months ago

Election Day in WA: Are we about to cross the political event horizon?

Today is election day in Seattle, King County, and across Washington state. I can't help feeling we're about to cross the event horizon.
9 months ago

Harger: Democracy only works if you vote, participate in Election Day

Tomorrow is Election Day, and it's one of my favorite days of the year. I know that sounds strange, given how ugly our politics have become. But hear me out.
9 months ago

Harger: Your 1980s Halloween costume would get you fired today

Have fun tonight, get a designated driver, and may your costume, whatever it is, still be socially acceptable in 40 years.
9 months ago

Harger: Nvidia hits $5 trillion valuation as layoffs sweep tech industry

Nvidia just became the first company in history worth five trillion dollars. Meanwhile, Amazon announced 14,000 job cuts this week.
9 months ago

It’s time for the ‘Stupid Motorist Law’ in WA, and maybe a few more

King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn has had enough. He's proposing what he calls the Stupid Motorist Law.
9 months ago

Harger: A look at Katie Wilson’s background as Seattle’s mayoral frontrunner

Discover Katie Wilson's background and insights as she leads Seattle's mayoral race, impacting the city's future leadership.
9 months ago

Harger: Examining Mayor Bruce Harrell’s record as Seattle seeks answers

Explore Bruce Harrell's leadership as Seattle assesses mayoral candidates over the next two days.
9 months ago

Auburn mayor knew pastor admitted to child sex crime. She asked for no jail time anyway.

Auburn mayor sought no jail time for pastor who admitted to child sex crime.
10 months ago

Harger: Day 22 of government shutdown, Congress gets paid while 1.4M workers suffer

Explore the implications of the ongoing government shutdown and its effects on millions of American workers.
10 months ago

Harger: 48 years of ‘maybe next year’ almost ended when M’s ownership finally invested

After 48 years of hope, Mariners' ownership finally invests, bringing the team close to playoff success and the World Series.
10 months ago

Harger: Seattle’s ‘shame mail’ to Aurora sex buyers is long overdue

We've been talking for years about the sex trade on Aurora Avenue in North Seattle. Women being trafficked. Pimps fighting over territory with actual shootouts.
10 months ago

Harger: It’s time for an adult conversation about the justice system

Charlie's insights on the justice system through Tony's story, urging a necessary dialogue for reform and understanding.
10 months ago

Harger: Move over Bruce and Katie — Cal Raleigh has my vote for Seattle mayor

Sorry, Bruce. Sorry, Katie. I know you’re the actual candidates for mayor of Seattle. But I am officially endorsing Cal Raleigh for the mayor of Seattle.
10 months ago

Harger: When I heard the capitol was vandalized, my first thought was political. That’s the problem.

My brain immediately went to politics when I heard the capitol building was vandalized. Let me be clear, it's all beyond the pale. Violence is violence. Wrong is wrong.
10 months ago

Harger: Leesa Manion’s fury exposes a broken system in King County’s justice system

King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion explicitly said she's not calling for cuts to public defense. She just wants parity.
10 months ago

Harger: Economist says Washington is already in a recession

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, believes that 22 states are already in recession. Not heading toward one. Not at risk of one. Already there.
10 months ago

Harger: 5 legendary Seattle Mariners moments that define October baseball at T-Mobile Park

As the American League Divisional Series returns to Seattle, here is one fan's totally biased list of the sounds that built Seattle into a baseball city.
10 months ago

Harger: The plastic bag ban has backfired in Washington, study finds

Washington's plastic bag ban is making things worse. The state's own study says we should drop it.
10 months ago

Harger: Portland protesters’ practices are alienating their own allies

Let's also stop pretending the small subset of violent protesters out there in Portland night after night are somehow the good guys. They're not.
10 months ago

Harger: WA lawsuit payouts now twice the size of state’s budget deficit

Washington's lawsuit payouts have soared to seven times their past levels, now double the state's budget deficit.
10 months ago