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

WA gas prices hit all-time record overnight: What Iran, the CCA, and the state gas tax are costing you

Two days ago, Seattle broke its all-time gas price record. Now the entire state has followed. Washington's statewide average has hit $5.57 a gallon, a new all-time record.

3 months ago

Harger: Sound Transit is bleeding money while Seattle debates fare gates. San Francisco just showed us exactly what they do

61% of Link light rail riders actually pay their fare. San Francisco looked at numbers like that and built fare gates. Seattle is looking at numbers like that and scheduling more meetings.

3 months ago

Harger: Portland pays $5.19. Seattle pays $5.74. The difference has a name: the Climate Commitment Act

Oregon is even more instructive than Idaho. Same coast. Same grid. Same progressive politics. No Climate Commitment Act. The statewide average there is $5.12.

3 months ago

Seattle gas prices hit all-time record overnight as Iran war, Climate Commitment Act create historic squeeze at the pump

Overnight, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the Seattle area hit $5.72, surpassing the all-time record set in June 2022, according to AAA.

3 months ago

Harger: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson called for a Starbucks boycott. Starbucks called Nashville

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's first move after winning election was calling for a Starbucks boycott. Starbucks' first move after the income tax passed was calling Nashville.

3 months ago

Harger: Trying to kill people you disagree with is wrong. It shouldn’t be hard to say that

Trying to kill people you disagree with is wrong. Celebrating when someone tries and fails is wrong. It shouldn't be hard to say that. Period. Full stop.

3 months ago

Harger: The King County Homelessness Authority can’t find $13M. People are dying on our streets. Do we take this seriously or not?

"You are not serious people." I thought about Logan Roy the moment I read that a forensic audit of the KCRHA cannot account for $13 million in taxpayer money.

3 months ago

Harger: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has never owned a car. Now she’s taking a Denny Way lane from 30,000 drivers to fix a bus route

Katie Wilson, making transportation policy for a corridor carrying 30,000 vehicles a day, has never once sat behind the wheel as the person responsible for getting somewhere on time in traffic.

3 months ago

Harger: WA Supreme Court could rewrite bail rules in 8 days. The 84-footnote proposal never mentions victims once.

Twenty dollars. That's what a misdemeanor defendant would post to walk out of jail under a proposed rule change now pending before the Washington Supreme Court.