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

Harger: Save ‘extreme’ for real emergencies, not 89 degrees

This weekend's heat in Seattle was notable, but not extreme compared to Phoenix or Las Vegas. Discover the facts behind the claim.

12 months ago

Harger: Diet soda rides the brand name coattails, but its taste betrays it

Diet Dr. Pepper tastes nothing like Dr. Pepper. It is a counterfeit. A charlatan. It's the equivalent of showing up to a Van Halen concert and getting Gary Cherone.

12 months ago

Harger: Deadly semi-truck crash shows why Washington must fix its CDL system

A deadly crash underscores the urgent need for CDL reforms in Washington to protect public safety. Action is crucial.

12 months ago

We get what we tolerate: Fred Meyer closures and the cost of unchecked theft

Explore how theft is impacting Fred Meyer in Washington and the implications of store closures.

12 months ago

Harger: Woodway’s Bruce Evans was proof of what good teachers can do

Bruce Evans died this weekend. He spent more than 30 years at Woodway, then Edmonds-Woodway High after the schools merged.

12 months ago

Two-thirds of King County voters sat out — that silence decided the August Primary

Almost all the ballots have now been counted in King County, and turnout for the August Primary was lower than 34%.

12 months ago

Harger: WA bought the pool before the bonus check was cashed, now a financial crisis looms

Earlier this week, the Trump administration published its list of “sanctuary” states and cities, and both Seattle and Washington landed right at the top.