As KUOW's #1 ratings hot streak continues unabated, I am proud and pleased to present a timely interview with Angela King, talented news anchor for it's popular Morning Edition (5:30-9 a.m.). Previously, Angela worked in Seattle TV (including for me at NWCN) and she is an Emmy and Gracie Award winner. And here's some breaking news: She will be inducted into the University of Washington's Communications Hall of Fame this year. Not to mention she recently won the university's prestigious Charles E. Odegaard Award in recognition of diversity, equity and inclusion.
BTW, last winter, she took her TV reporting experience back to her home town, Altadena, CA, to report on the devastating fires there in January, which destroyed almost everything in sight. Her coverage is right after the interview:
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I wake up every weekday between 1:15am and 2:00am (depending on how many times I hit the snooze tab on my alarm) . I like to say I'm the one who kicks/gets the rooster going every morning.
I spend an hour scanning overnight local/national newscasts/newspapers to make sure I know what's going on in the world before I walk into the station. btw - there's nothing like an oh-dark-thirty commute. It's glorious! No traffic at all. One of the perks of working the grueling hours of the morning shift.
As the first person in the office, I retrieve the stories reporters left the day prior. I then check upwards of 50 news websites/social media accounts to make sure we are up to speed on all of the overnight news. We used to call these "beat checks" back in the day.
After that, I decide what stories to cover and immediately start researching and writing the content for the day. My editor/producer arrive a couple hours later and by 5:30, it's showtime!
I'm constantly working throughout the entirety of the show, whether I'm writing, speaking, conducting interviews, or keeping an eye/ear on the competition. Decades of working in TV news trained me how to keep my eyes moving like a gecko and my ears open like a rabbit.
Q: HOW DID YOU MANAGE YOUR TRANSITION FROM TV NEWS TO RADIO
I spent 22 years in TV news before I joined KUOW in 2018. I always thought it would be easy to transition from TV to radio. You are working with one fewer dimension - video. You don't have to worry about appearances (hair/make-up/wardrobe) or the camera catching you when you're not ready.
Boy, was my assumption wrong!
The learning curve was much steeper than I thought. It took me a while to find my radio groove/voice. As antiquated as the medium may seem, the pace of radio moves faster than TV
(in my opinion). I've learned to be sharper. I've learned to listen even more closely. I've also learned to simply be me. There's an intimacy that comes with being in radio. It's just you and the listener. There are no visual aids to serve as a distraction. Radio audiences, ironically, can see right through you (or any performative tricks).
Q. WHY DOES KUOW ALWAYS LEAD THE MONTHLY NUMBERS AND REMAIN SO POPULAR.
Despite the attacks and accusations, it's had to weather over the past decade, I believe NPR still provides audiences with one of the most balanced, factually based, non-biased sources of information. In this politically polarized world, NPR and KUOW always strive to provide you with content that is informative and educational, rather than what's sensational or confrontational. That doesn't mean we don't push back against mis/dis-information. Morning Edition hosts Steve Inskeep and Michel Martin are masters of keeping conversations responsible, focused, accountable and on track. I strive and am inspired to do the same.
Q: HOW IS THE STATION HANDLING CUTBACKS/FEEDBACK/PLEDGE DRIVES?
I was told when I first started working for KUOW that the station may not always have the largest audience, but it has the most dedicated/committed listeners. Now we have both, and it's one of the most humbling feelings as a broadcaster/journalist.
NPR listeners tend to be listeners for life. Many [of us] grew up listening to shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered while riding in the back seat of our parent's cars. That loyalty and appreciation for the work NPR/KUOW do daily has really shone through in recent years and was highlighted in 2025 when Congress voted to rescind $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which is now closed).
We were all worried the day that the vote came down. What would happen to NPR/KUOW? How many of our colleagues would lose their jobs? Would our listeners, who are familiar with regularly scheduled pledge drives, be willing to come through on such short notice?
They did. KUOW raised more than $1 million in fewer than 7 hours. Our sense of awe and gratitude has never been more pronounced.
The experience affirmed the importance of NPR/KUOW and has driven us as journalists to carry on this legacy of responsibility and service. Service - not only to our listeners but to our fellow colleagues who have since been laid off. None has left without knowing we are still here for them in any way that we can help.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF NWCN?
Before NorthWest Cable News launched in 1995, I worked as an overnight writer for founding/ partner station KING 5 News. I was fresh out of college and had dreams of eventually becoming a TV reporter/anchor
I sent out audition tapes left and right and I never got a "solid bite" until Elliot Wiser - the future news director of NWCN - called me up to his office (both KING 5 and NWCN operated out of the same building on 333 Dexter Ave N)
He and executive director Bill Kaczaraba interviewed me and let me know my lack of on-air experience was not working in my favor. Nonetheless, they took a chance on me and hired me as a videojournalist/one-woman band for the launch of NWCN - a pioneer in the world of regional 24-hour news stations.
The opportunity set my on-air career into motion. I went on to work as a reporter/anchor in Portland and Albuquerque, before I eventually returned to Seattle, and ended my TV career where it all started - at NWCN
In the fall of 2016, NWCN's parent company (TEGNA) announced it was shutting down the operation. On January 6, 2017, NWCN aired its final show - a show that I was fortunate enough to host.
It was such a bittersweet, yet precious moment for someone who was there when NWCN started.
I said on air that night, "It's been my honor to be here when we first flipped on the switch for the very first time ... and now its me who gets to turn it off for good"
The remaining staff at NWCN put their hearts into that final show which went on to be nominated for an Emmy.
It was probably my proudest and most cherished moment at NWCN - one that still makes me teary-eyed
Q; HOW DO YOU RELAX AND YOUR ENJOY PERSONAL LIFE
I was a young mother in her 20's when I started in news. Now I'm the old lady in the newsroom and a grandmother who loves to love on her grandchildren in her spare time.
I enjoy spending time in New Mexico (where I hope to retire someday), working on jigsaw puzzles and sleeping normal hours when I'm on vacation. I also love having a "face for radio" (no makeup required)
I'm so grateful for the career I've been blessed with and forever indebted to those who have helped me along the way.
Thank you Angela....and congrats on everything.
She seems to be happy, content, and adjusted to/with her place in the world. Kudos to her.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wayne, I hear Angela in the early morning, before going to sports
ReplyDeleteRich
Not many may know this little tidbit, but Angela is also a die-hard Prince fan as well. I am sure her editor/producer would love to open "Morning Edition" every day with a sampling of "Purple Rain". Cheers!
ReplyDeleteIndeed she is.
DeleteAngela is one of the journalists in the business. I am honored to know her and I am continually amazed by her commitment, compassion, and truly love of journalism.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Angela!! Keep up the great work
ReplyDeleteMy first memories of Angela date back to when she was one of the morning reporters on what was then Q13 Fox. She did a great job back then covering the biggest stories of the day, and we are fortunate that she is still doing that today, just now on radio. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
ReplyDelete