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

WSP searches for driver after pedestrian killed in Seattle hit-and-run

A pedestrian was struck and killed by two cars on I-5 south near Mercer Street in Seattle.
2 months ago

FIFA World Cup 2026 Seattle: Free drone shows light up Space Needle skyline

Flags and scoreboards made of drones will light up the night sky in Seattle starting later this month during the World Cup.
2 months ago

Seattle council gives mayor until August 1 to recommend future of King County homelessness agency

The Seattle City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a resolution charting next steps for the troubled King County Regional Homelessness Authority.
2 months ago

Speight Jenkins, former Seattle Opera General Director, dies at 89

Remembering Speight Jenkins, former Seattle Opera General Director, whose legacy transformed the opera community.
2 months ago

Black SUV struck by gunfire in drive-by shooting on I-5

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is looking for witnesses after a drive-by shooting on I-5 in Seattle early Tuesday morning.
2 months ago

Seattle officers, SDOT worker attacked along Alaskan Way South bike trail by homeless suspect

Two Seattle Police Department officers and a Seattle Department of Transportation worker were assaulted.
2 months ago

KIRO Newsradio wins 7 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, recognizing excellence in journalism

The KIRO Newsradio news team has been honored this year with seven Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.
2 months ago

‘It’s heartbreaking. Just makes you want to cry’: At a Longview diner, a community grieves after mill disaster

At the Pancake House, a diner about two miles from the scene of Tuesday's disaster in Longview, the proximity was reflected in the conversation.
2 months ago

Washington health insurance rates could rise 22.4% on average in 2027

Health insurance rates could increase next year for hundreds of thousands of Washington residents who buy coverage on the individual market.
2 months ago

Rookie Tacoma Police dog Charlie already making captures, finding weapons

A rookie Tacoma police dog is already making an impact in his first few weeks on the job, recording five captures in just six weeks.
2 months ago

Bystander’s belt tourniquet saves 19-year-old shot in Spanaway; shooter still at large

A 19-year-old man who was shot in the leg this week in the Spanaway area is alive thanks to the quick actions of a bystander and a Pierce County Sheriff's deputy.
3 months ago

Snowpack disappears weeks ahead of schedule as drought continues

The snowpack in the Pacific Northwest started disappearing weeks ahead of schedule this year as the drought continues.
3 months ago

13-year-old arrested after pointing stolen gun at driver in Bremerton

A 13-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday evening for allegedly pointing a stolen gun at a driver in unincorporated Bremerton.
3 months ago

Seattle says it’s ready for 750K FIFA World Cup fans — but wants 80% to leave their cars at home

The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to Seattle in 33 days, and local leaders say the city is ready to handle the roughly 750,000 fans expected to descend on the city.
3 months ago

‘Top Gun’ turns 40: What the franchise means to someone who lost his brother in Iraq

KIRO's Frank Lenzi has been obsessed with Top Gun for 40 years. It started with his brother Gregg. As both films return to theaters, one seat stays empty.
3 months ago

‘Performative patriotism’ or ‘honoring sacrifice’? Puyallup’s $150K flagpole sparks fierce debate

The Puyallup City Council voted 4-3 to spend nearly $150,000 on a 100-foot American flag pole. Supporters call it patriotism. Critics call it performative.
3 months ago

Grappler stops fleeing driver in Thurston County — Sheriff says ‘Pull over, do your night in jail’

Thurston County deputies deployed a grappler — the tire-tangling pursuit device gaining national attention — to end a police chase Tuesday morning.
3 months ago

Federal Way man charged with murder after allegedly shooting friend, dog in front yard

A 42-year-old Federal Way man suspected of fatally shooting a longtime friend and the friend's dog has been charged with first-degree murder.
3 months ago

2 arrested in Kirkland human trafficking investigation after warrants served at 3 businesses

Two people have been arrested in connection with a human trafficking investigation in Kirkland.
3 months ago

Van explosion in Everett Police South Precinct parking lot; driver arrested

Everett Police are investigating a van fire and explosion that rocked the parking lot of their South Precinct on Everett Mall Way Tuesday night. A white van pulled into the parking lot at approximately 9:15 p.m., according to a Facebook post from Everett PD. Officers heard an explosion shortly after and saw the van engulfed […]
3 months ago

Human remains discovered at Tukwila home

Tukwila police discovered human remains at a home Tuesday morning near South 148th Street and 42nd Avenue South.
3 months ago

See what the Artemis II crew saw: NASA drops 12,000 new photos

NASA has released more than 12,000 additional photos from the Artemis II mission, giving the public a look at what the crew saw last month.
3 months ago

VIDEO: 2 men beat 77-year-old in unprovoked downtown Seattle attack near Third and Pike

Surveillance video of a recent unprovoked attack on a 77-year-old man in downtown Seattle has been released.
3 months ago

Port of Port Townsend dumps social media … after announcing it on Facebook

The Port of Port Townsend has announced on social media that it will no longer be using social media over health concerns.
3 months ago