Skip to main content

Frankie Flees KIRO7

 UPDATE:  Frankie got married!!!


Acting on tips from two of my loyal readers, I see that Weekend Weather Wizard Frankie Katafias is indeed missing from the KIRO 7 website.  Freelancer Scott Haveson filled in this past Sunday and we know that reporter Brandon Thompson has hit the weather wall in the past as a fill-in.   No word on if Frankie fled on her own or was told to.   She came to Seattle in 2022, so maybe it was a three-year deal that ended?

Comments

  1. Mike BarerApril 29, 2025 at 10:36 AM

    I remember when local news channels had steady anchors who were the identity of the station.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IDC9April 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM

      KIRO still has a few that fit that bill. Namely Monique Ming Laven, Gary Horcher, Deborah Horne, Morgan Palmer, and Nick Allard. They might not have the name recognition that the likes of Gary Justice, Susan Hutchinson, Steve Raible, and the like, but they are the names that might immediately come to mind when one thinks of KIRO.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM

    Frankie posted on her Instagram page a few weeks ago that she has stepped away from the industry, breaking her contract. Reporter Gwen Baumgardner has also left. KIRO is clearly losing talent for a reason - people don’t leave a good situation. It’s obvious that something behind the scenes isn’t right. The station is so short-staffed that anyone still on-air deserves some grace; they’re under immense pressure and doing more than their fair share. The blame doesn’t fall on them - it falls squarely on ownership. My prediction: anyone not mentioned in the comment above is likely already looking for a way out. I bet every reporter or new hire from the past year will end up leaving. There’s only so much people can endure.

    ReplyDelete
  3. IDC9May 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM

    I hadn't even noticed that Gwen has left as well. The ranks are getting very thin at KIRO. They don't seem to have enough people right now to air the number of newscasts that they do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 19, 2025 at 1:42 PM

      Yes Gwen Baumgartner one of my very favorites so talented and professional! Mathew Smith tossed out but thriving on Fox 13 such a wonderful talent, and also Iona and Claire Anderson there all three from CBS!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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.    
19 comments
Read more

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.
9 comments
Read more

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.
1 comment
Read more