Frank Lenzi

KIRO News Director

Frank Lenzi

News Director KIRO Radio

About

Frank Lenzi runs the newsroom at KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. He has spent nearly two decades covering the people, politics, and problems of the Puget Sound region. He came to Seattle from Portland, Oregon in 2008 and never left. Frank’s reporting is shaped by a belief that local journalism should be useful — that a story should tell you something you didn’t know, about a place you care about, from someone willing to dig. That belief was forged in part by personal loss: his brother, Maj. Gregory L. Stone, was killed serving with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division during the Iraq War. Telling Gregg’s story — and the stories of others like him — remains the work Frank is most proud of. He is also unreasonably passionate about Depeche Mode, AC/DC, and the career of Roger Federer.

Expertise

  • Journalism
  • Radio and Web Reporting
  • Radio News Anchoring

Experience

News Director, KIRO Newsradio (December 2024 – Present)

  • Leads the KIRO Newsradio team with a focus on excellence in journalism and storytelling

Program Director/News Director, KOMO Radio (now KNWN)

  • Held roles including Morning Editor, Managing Editor, News Director, and Program Director

Managing Editor/Reporter/Anchor, AM 860 KPAM

  • Progressed from Morning Editor to Managing Editor at Portland’s news talk station

Newsroom Staff, 1190 KEX Portland

  • First commercial radio job in Portland’s heritage station newsroom

High School Radio (1991)

  • Began radio career at age 15 on a high school station

Education

Bachelor of Arts, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, 1997

Certifications

Achievements & Awards

  • Led teams at KPAM and KOMO Radio that won multiple awards for breaking news, best newscast, and overall excellence

Social Media Profiles

Deputies find 20 cats in stolen truck after AirTag tracks down vehicle in Tacoma

An AirTag led Pierce County Sheriff's Deputies to a stolen truck — and 20 cats — in Tacoma this week.
5 days ago

Alaska earthquake could send 20-foot tsunami waves to Washington coast in just 3.5 hours, new study warns

A new study from the Washington Geological Survey finds tsunami activity could last 24 hours or more, and the first wave might not be the biggest.
5 days ago

KIRO Newsradio wins 2026 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Breaking News Coverage

KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM has won a 2026 National Edward R. Murrow Award for breaking news coverage of its reporting on the Seattle ICE protests that turned violent.
5 days ago

Rabid bat gets caught in woman’s hair at Olympic National Park

A rabid bat swooped down and got caught in a woman's hair at Olympic National Park near Staircase Bridge on Sunday afternoon around 2 p.m.
6 days ago

Monroe man arrested for murder of girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter in Snohomish County

A 27-year-old Monroe man is under arrest, charged with murdering his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter and assaulting her 5-year-old son in Snohomish County.
6 days ago

Spokane County sheriff says evacuations won’t be lifted for ‘many, many more days’

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels is urging patience as crews continue to battle the three wildfires that make up the Spokane Complex Fire.
13 days ago

Seattle, King County plan to reclaim nearly $160M in homelessness contracts from KCRHA

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) will survive despite calls from some Seattle and King County leaders to dissolve it.
15 days ago

Redmond teen Kristina Liutova, 16, wins Memphis Classic — First tennis player born in the 2010s to capture a WTA title

A 16-year-old from Redmond made professional tennis history on Sunday by winning the Memphis Classic — her very first Women's Tennis Association tournament.
15 days ago

Shon Barnes resignation agreement: former Seattle Police Chief gets $590,000, keeps signing bonus

Former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes will receive $590,000 as part of his resignation agreement.
18 days ago

Ballard light rail ‘not dead’: Sound Transit targets 2042 for Market Street service

The Ballard light rail is not dead, according to Seattle City Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Member Dan Strauss.
18 days ago

Manhunt near I-5 in Mill Creek: Deputies, K-9 search for suspect who may have stolen firearm

A manhunt is underway near I-5 in Mill Creek after a suspect stole items from a vehicle — potentially including a firearm — and fled on foot into a wooded area, Snohomish County sheriff's officials said.
18 days ago

Boy, 13, allegedly fires arrows at deputies, police drone during Elma standoff; officer fires shot

A 13-year-old boy shot arrows at sheriff's deputies, police officers and a police drone during a standoff in Elma Wednesday afternoon, prompting an officer to fire his weapon, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office said.
20 days ago

Seafair CEO, a Las Vegas shooting survivor, details security for weekend festival after deadly Bite of Seattle

The deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle that claimed three lives came less than one week before the Seafair Weekend Festival.
21 days ago

Car slams into Port Orchard Domino’s, driver flees scene

A car slammed into a Domino's restaurant in unincorporated Port Orchard Monday night, leaving behind extensive damage — and no driver.
21 days ago

Massive scrap pile fire in Longview triggers air quality warning; residents urged to stay indoors

A large scrap pile fire at PNW Metals in Longview sent a massive plume of smoke into the sky Saturday, prompting fire officials to issue an air quality warning urging nearby residents to stay indoors. The Longview Fire Department and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue were on scene as of Saturday afternoon and anticipated remaining […]
24 days ago

Missing girl: Everett Police search for Jocelyn Mora after she left Cascade High School with unknown male

Everett Police are asking for the public's help finding a girl who went missing from Cascade High School on March 26.
26 days ago

Seattle Fire Department proposes adding drones to emergency response fleet

The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) wants to start using drones.
26 days ago

Mariners fan takes home run ball to face, but gets signed apology from Julio and message from favorite player Muñoz

Longtime Seattle Mariners fan Nikki Jones went to T-Mobile Park Tuesday night hoping to score an Andrés Muñoz bobblehead.
27 days ago

New Washington law says landlords can’t ban portable AC units

A new Washington law took effect June 11, prohibiting landlords from banning or restricting portable AC units in rental properties.
27 days ago

Council approves 9.5% Seattle City Light rate hikes, puts transit tax on November ballot

Seattle City Light customers are about to see their monthly electricity bills go up.
28 days ago

PSE Flex program faces first real test as heat hits Puget Sound

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is about to put its new Flex program to the test for the first time, and Tuesday's heat is the trigger.
29 days ago

Jimothy the Raccoon to be honored with official Seattle City Proclamation in Ballard

Jimothy the Raccoon — Seattle's "newest local icon" — will soon be honored with an official City Proclamation in Ballard.
29 days ago

Bullet fired through Bremerton apartment wall; Kitsap County deputies investigate

Kitsap County deputies are investigating after a bullet was fired through the wall of an apartment complex in unincorporated Bremerton over the weekend.
29 days ago

4-year-old girl found safe after Kennewick Amber Alert, suspect still at large

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) located a young child Saturday evening after she went missing from Kennewick, prompting an Amber Alert.
30 days ago