KIRO FM has a new news boss!!

"SEATTLE, WA – December 18, 2024 –Seattle, WA – KIRO Newsradio is pleased to announce Frank Lenzi as its new News Director. Frank joins KIRO from Seattle's KNWN (formerly KOMO Newsradio), where he has worked for the past 16 years, most recently serving as Program Director and News Director.

With nearly 30 years of experience in journalism, Frank brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to KIRO Newsradio. He has held roles as morning editor, managing editor, and most recently, news director and program director at KNWN/KOMO. He led coverage of major events such as the 2009 Lakewood Police shooting, the 2014 KOMO TV helicopter crash, and the 2020 police dispersal of the Seattle CHOP Zone"

Lenzi replaces Charlie Harger, who has moved on to take the retiring Dave Ross' role on the morning news. Still waiting to hear about Colleen O"Brien's replacement. Harger worked at KOMO/KNWN News Radio for many years as well.

Interestingly, Lenzi calls his new station "the gold standard for radio journalism in Seattle." So much for his old station, eh?

Comments

Rebecca Stevenson has left KOMO

"I am no longer at Komo 4." Thanks. Longtime Weather Anchor Rebecca Stevenson confirms that she left the station just before Christmas. Her last Facebook posts are 12/17. She has the Seattle station Quintafecta, having worked at the old NWCN, KING, KIRO, KCPQ and KOMO. Looks like her decision. Wants a new chapter. She was doing mainly weekend evenings for KOMO. Perhaps Stella Sun will move there. She has been sharing weekend mornings with Theron Zahn.

Seattle TV Weekender Ends Her Run

So long to KOMO's longtime weekend morning anchor Lee Stoll who did her final show Saturday. She previously worked at KIRO7 and KREM2 in Spokane and did a little fill-in for me at the old NWCN. She's a Northwestern U grad. Weekend weather sidekick Theron Zahn will likely step right into anchor slot. Newcomer Stella Sun may also be in the mix. Zahn bid Lee a final goodbye this morning. She is not revealing what is next, saying "That's for later." Also, next month Komo News Operations boss Dennis Hanson and longtime Production Tech Rena Mullen are retiring. There's a big Studio C station bash for them and retiring ND Phil Bruce on December 5th.

Where is Frankie?

Many have missed KIRO 7's weekend PM weather anchor, Frankie Katafias, so I reached out to some of my sources to find an answer. She is apparently taking a few months of leave, but not known specifically what the reason may be. Although there is uncertainty, it could be a personal or family matter. I am told she is expected back at some point in the new year. She is a great asset to what has become a troubled station. Meanwhile former KOIN Portland chief met holds down the fort.

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