Manda Factor

Host, Seattle's Morning News

Manda Factor

Manda Factor has dedicated 35 years to the field of journalism, carving out a reputation as an insightful and diligent reporter and anchor. Her passion for learning about people and delivering their stories defines her career.

She grew up in Olympia and has always loved the Puget Sound area. Having attended both the University of Washington and Washington State University. Manda’s academic background laid a strong foundation for her journalistic endeavors. Her education, combined with her relentless curiosity, propels her to rise early each morning to stay ahead of the news cycle and understand the underlying stories that shape our world. She has won multiple awards from APTRA (the Associated Press) and Edward R. Murrow Awards for anchoring both breaking news and daily newscasts.

Beyond the newsroom, Manda has a rich personal life. She is an avid dog lover, sharing her home with a tiny Terrier named Frederick and a huge Plott Hound named Kermit. They run the house, but she also has a loving husband and a busy teenager who keep her on her toes. Two adult children are off and running and chasing their dreams!
In her downtime, Manda finds solace and creativity in cooking and playing the piano.

An avid supporter of Seattle’s sports teams, Manda’s enthusiasm for the city’s athletic endeavors is contagious. Whether it’s football, baseball, soccer, or hockey, she is always ready to cheer on her favorite teams. During a stint in Bellingham, she was the stadium announcer for the Bellingham Mariners.

Her motto in life…10 percent of it is what happens. 90 percent is how you deal with it. Life is beautiful.

Kent detective Ty Sagiao praised for role in homicide case that led to 73-year sentence

A Kent police detective whose work helped prosecutors secure a 73-year sentence in a homicide case has won a law enforcement award.
2 days ago

Rick Rizzs says goodbye to Mariners booth after 52-year career: ‘I’ve lived my dream’

Rick Rizzs has three games left behind the microphone for the Seattle Mariners, and a lifetime of memories competing for his attention.
5 days ago

Seattle gas prices hit $5.73 as diesel surge squeezes farmers

Diesel prices are reaching record highs across much of the country, squeezing farmers during harvest and threatening to push costs through the food supply chain
8 days ago

Idaho voters will choose an official state gun from 6 firearms on the November ballot

Idaho voters will choose an official state gun this November after Gov. Brad Little signed legislation placing a nonbinding advisory question on the ballot.
9 days ago

Retiring Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs on what went wrong in 2026 — and why he’s ‘really positive’ about next year

With nine games remaining in his 52-year broadcasting career, Rick Rizzs isn't ready to concede anything about the season or the joy of calling it.
12 days ago

WA drivers pay more than $5.57 a gallon for gas with no end in sight, GasBuddy analyst warns

GasBuddy warns WA drivers of record high gas prices with no relief in sight. Regular gas averages $5.57 a gallon in Seattle.
15 days ago

‘I’m going to be a wreck’: Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs reflects on last road trip before retirement

The voice of the Seattle Mariners, Rick Rizzs, left this week for what will be the final road series of his broadcasting career that began 52 years ago.
19 days ago

‘Boy in the tent’ enters school for the first time at age 10: ‘I want to go back’

The "boy in the tent" walked through school doors for the first time ever on Tuesday.
21 days ago

Rick Rizzs reflects on 9/11, Legacy Plaza statue as Mariners broadcaster enters final weeks behind the mic

Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 attacks brought the nation and its pastime to a standstill, the Seattle Mariners on Thursday unveiled Legacy Plaza at T-Mobile Park.
26 days ago

Conan O’Brien’s longtime assistant talks ‘World’s Worst Mom,’ IVF and parenting twin boys ahead of Seattle appearance

Discover Sona Movsesian's insights on motherhood, IVF, and her journey with Conan O'Brien in her bestselling memoir before Seattle event.
28 days ago

Venezuela oil deal won’t help gas prices for years while Iran conflict drives them even higher

The U.S. oil agreement with Venezuela will take years to lower gas prices, and renewed strikes in the Strait of Hormuz are pushing costs higher.
30 days ago

86 of 114 King County juvenile cases diverted in July — prosecutors say context matters

The vast majority of juvenile cases diverted from traditional prosecution in King County last month involved low-level misdemeanors that state law required prosecutors to keep out of court, according to new data released by the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
30 days ago

‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ cast reveals how Victorian-era magic powers Broadway’s biggest play in Seattle

The six-time Tony Award-winning play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" has conjured its way to the Pacific Northwest, opening a three-week engagement at Seattle's Paramount Theatre through Sept. 12.
1 month ago

‘He’s absolutely spot on’: Former Republican AG backs Nick Brown’s fight to preserve mail-in voting

McKenna said the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to allow Trump's executive order restricting mail-in voting to move forward could create chaos ahead of the November midterm elections.
1 month ago

WA law makes it ‘next to impossible’ to prosecute laser strikes on aircraft, King County prosecutors say

Hundreds of laser strikes on aircraft are reported in Washington each year, but prosecutors said the laws makes it nearly impossible to hold anyone accountable.
1 month ago

Gas prices hit record highs for August as Ukraine, Iran conflicts drive costs up

The national average price of gasoline stood at $4.05 a gallon Monday, the highest ever recorded this late in the calendar year.
1 month ago

City of Lakewood puts police chief on leave

The City of Lakewood has put its police chief on leave.
1 month ago

Rick Rizzs talks Seafair grand marshal honor, Mariners accountability and the fan hit by Julio’s homer

Rick Rizzs has spent 41 years calling Seattle Mariners games. On Saturday, he will trade in the mic and be the grand marshal of the Seafair Torchlight Parade.
2 months ago

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ national tour hits Seattle: Stars speak on what makes Alicia Keys’ musical so emotional

"Hell's Kitchen," a musical from Alicia Keys, is lighting up Seattle's Paramount Theatre this week with a story about family, and the power of music.
2 months ago

Super Mario’s namesake planted the grapes behind Washington’s only 96-point scoring white wine

Of all the white wines produced in Washington, only one earned a top score from the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards. The grapes that made it were planted by the man who inspired Nintendo's most famous character.
2 months ago

From Supertramp to Seinfeld: Session guitar legend Carl Verheyen heads to Seattle’s Triple Door

Carl Verheyen has been the guitar behind some of the most recognizable music in movies, television, and rock 'n' roll for more than four decades.
2 months ago

Rick Rizzs on Mariners’ second half: ‘Get healthy’ and this team can win the AL West

Rick Rizzs entered the second half of the Seattle Mariners' season with two things on his mind: a playoff push and a finish line of his own.
2 months ago

Seattle man to run 220 miles across Iceland to raise money for Ukrainian amputees

A Seattle man plans to run 220 miles across Iceland later this month to raise money for Ukrainians who have lost limbs in the war with Russia.
2 months ago

Former WA Attorney General: Albertsons pharmacies ‘caught between a rock and a hard place’ in opioid trial

Washington opened its case Monday against grocery giant Albertsons in a trial that could force the company to pay tens of millions of dollars or more for allegedly fueling the opioid epidemic.
3 months ago