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: Once again, Gen X is left out of current political landscape

In the soap opera of American politics, Boomers and Millennials take center stage, while Generation X is once again relegated to the background.
2 years ago

Harger: Local media must keep shining light on crime-riddled Aurora Avenue

Day and night, you see women forced to walk the sidewalks, often stepping into traffic, risking their lives to find customers along Aurora Avenue.
2 years ago

Who will be Trump’s VP pick? Washington State GOP Chairman shares insights ahead of RNC

As the Republican National Convention prepares to kick off on Monday, speculation swirls over Trump's VP pick for the 2024 election.
2 years ago

Harger’s guide to neighborhood etiquette this Fourth of July: ‘Be sober when setting off explosives’

I really love fireworks. But you know what drives me crazy when celebrating America's independence this Fourth of July? Fireworks.
2 years ago

Harger: It’s time to try something different regarding presidential debates

Is it going to change anyone's mind? It's hard not to be cynical about the CNN Presidential Debate coming up Thursday evening.
2 years ago

Nationwide fake jewelry scam affects local residents

Police around the country are warning about a scam where people are selling counterfeit jewelry in parking lots, a crime spree that is occurring locally.
2 years ago

Video shows gunfire erupting near a kids baseball game in Auburn

Shots fired near a youth baseball game in Auburn Sunday evening caused panic among players and families and it was captured on video.
2 years ago

39-year-old man convicted of groping teen on flight from Dubai to Seattle

A Seattle federal court jury has convicted a 39-year-old citizen of India for abusive sexual contact with a minor on a flight.
2 years ago

Harger: White House Press’ ‘Nerd Prom’ is a bad look

This dinner -- affectionately nicknamed "Nerd Prom" -- is a terrible idea and does a disservice to those of us working in local newsrooms.
2 years ago

Seattle City Council debates concluded Tuesday night with District Five

KIRO Newsradio 97.3FM will air four Seattle City Council debates between Oct. 3 and Oct. 17. The events will also be streamed live on MyNorthwest.com.  
3 years ago

Why Wash. pot users should pay attention to the Hunter Biden case

Attorneys warn marijuana users in Washington might be breaking the same law Hunter Biden is accused of breaking involving gun ownership.
3 years ago

Seattle concrete workers threaten to strike

A year after a Seattle-area concrete worker's strike ended, another group of concrete workers threatens to hit the picket lines.
3 years ago

King County tech worker arrested for ‘Office Space’-inspired felony theft

Former Zulily employee Ernie Castro has been charged with stealing more than $300,000 from the company in a scheme straight out of the film “Office Space.”
4 years ago

58-year-old baseball umpire charged with sexual abuse of a minor turns himself in

Casey McNerthney with the prosecutor's office said investigators believe Wearmouth "groomed" the girl for a period of time on social media.
4 years ago

Investigators suspect the fatal Boeing 737 airplane crash in China was intentional

The Wall Street Journal reported investigators believe someone in the cockpit intentionally crashed the China Eastern Airlines jet.
4 years ago

Meteorologists watching for signs of a white Christmas across Puget Sound region

Wet snow is falling throughout Western Washington, but forecasters don't think it will stick in the Seattle area.
5 years ago

‘Bellwether bond’ down over COVID-variant concerns, ‘sending strong signal,’ says local analyst

Analyst Mike Alfstad of Seattle's Alfstad Capital clarifies how the newly identified COVID variant has affected the 10-Year Treasury yield.
5 years ago

Seattle ‘screwed this up,’ bereaved family prepares lawsuit involving delayed police response

The family of Will Yurek is preparing to file a claim against the City of Seattle in a case involving a delayed police response.
5 years ago