KOMO (channel 4)
An ABC-affiliated station owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, continues to serve the Seattle-Tacoma market with local news, weather, traffic, and sports coverage from its studios in Seattle’s Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. The station emphasizes investigative reporting and community stories, reaching viewers across Western Washington via broadcast, streaming, and its mobile app. No major station-specific developments programming overhauls, or ownership shifts have been reported recently.
Recent KOMO news coverage focused on local and national stories, including political violence, non-profit audits, and infrastructure milestones. Below is a summary of the most recent highlights:
September 11-12, 2025: KOMO has extensively covered the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with reports on campus security scrutiny at events like Turning Point USA gatherings and Democratic lawmakers blaming the GOP for escalating political rhetoric. A September 11 article highlighted liberals’ calls for Republicans to tone down inflammatory language in the wake of the incident. On X, KOMO’s post about this drew significant backlash from users accusing the station of biased, “propaganda” framing, with over 1,700 replies criticizing its focus on national politics over local issues like Seattle’s homelessness crisis. This reflects ongoing viewer debates about KOMO’s editorial choices under Sinclair ownership.
September 11, 2025: Non-Profit Eviction and State Audit Fallout: KOMO reported on the Equity Education Center (EEC), a Seattle non-profit, which claims the state owes it $3.4 million in grant funding after an audit questioned its spending on the Digital Navigator Program. The organization was evicted from its office and laid off staff amid the dispute, raising concerns about transparency in state-funded initiatives under Gov. Bob Ferguson.
September 11, 2025: Traffic Enforcement Warnings: The station covered a Pierce County Sheriff’s Office alert about drivers exploiting reduced traffic enforcement due to staffing shortages, leading to increased reckless behavior on roads like I-5.
September 11, 2025: Car Dealerships and Tariff Impacts: KOMO featured a Seattle Hyundai dealer discussing how proposed tariffs under the Trump administration could raise vehicle prices by up to 25%, affecting models like the Palisade and contributing to market instability.
September 11, 2025: Stabbing Incident: A man was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a stabbing in South Lake Union near 7th Avenue and Denny Way, under investigation by Seattle PD as an altercation.
September 11, 2025: Mariners Win Streak: KOMO sports highlighted the Seattle Mariners’ 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, extending their win streak to five and keeping them in the AL wild-card race, one game behind Houston.
September 10, 2025: Light Rail Milestone: In a positive local story, KOMO broadcast the first powered test run of a light rail train across the I-90 floating bridge, marking progress on the 2 Line extension connecting Bellevue and the Eastside to downtown Seattle. Officials expect completion by 2026, easing traffic congestion.
September 10, 2025: Seattle Public Schools Policy Controversy: Coverage included backlash against a new SPS policy prohibiting parents from opting out of LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, with critics like Moms for Liberty calling it “dangerous” and anti-scientific. The district defended it as promoting equity.
September 10, 2025: Crisis Care Center Plans: King County advanced a $27 million behavioral health facility in Seattle amid concerns over funding transparency and community input.
September 10, 2025: Storm Clinch Playoff Spot: The station aired footage of the Seattle Storm’s dramatic 74-73 win over the Golden State Valkyries, securing the final WNBA playoff berth on a buzzer-beater.
KING (channel 5)
An NBC-affiliated station owned by TEGNA Inc., airs comprehensive local news, weather, traffic, and sports coverage for the Seattle-Tacoma market from its studios in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood. The station emphasizes investigative journalism, community stories, and digital streaming via KING 5+ app and website.
Below is a summary of the most recent highlights from KING 5’s reporting.
September 11, 2025: Housing Crisis vs. Mature Trees Conflict: The station reported on Seattle’s 2023 ordinance prioritizing development amid the housing shortage, leading to the removal of mature trees. Tree advocates argue it favors builders over urban canopy preservation, exacerbating environmental impacts.
September 11, 2025: Sound Transit Budget Shortfall Options: KING 5 detailed potential cost-saving measures for Sound Transit’s $754 million deficit, including phasing large projects, reconsidering a downtown tunnel, and adding fare gates to maintain service expansions.
September 11, 2025: Mariners Fan Survey on Street Preachers: The Mariners launched an online poll seeking feedback on noise from street preachers outside T-Mobile Park, aiming to address fan disruptions during games.
September 11, 2025: 9/11 Remembrance and Survivor Story: In observance of the 24th anniversary, KING 5 featured Annabel Quintero’s account of escaping the North Tower, her long-term trauma, and healing through her 2021 book. The station also covered a Seattle vigil honoring victims, including recent political violence like the Charlie Kirk assassination, with respectful community tributes.
September 11, 2025: Washington Student Test Scores Improvement: Coverage highlighted OSPI Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s announcement of marked gains in ELA, math, and science from pre-pandemic levels via Smarter Balanced Assessments. Critics on X questioned the metrics, alleging lowered standards (e.g., redefining proficiency from level 3 to 2).
September 11, 2025: DOJ Demands Voter Database: KING 5 reported the U.S. Department of Justice’s request for Washington’s full registered voter list to investigate potential non-citizen voting, sparking privacy and election integrity debates.
September 11, 2025: Tacoma $2 Million Powerball Win: A gas station in Tacoma sold the winning ticket for a $2 million prize on September 10, with the station emphasizing local lottery impacts.
September 11, 2025: Experimental Aircraft Crash: One person was injured in a crash near Chehalis, closing SR 6 for two hours; the “experimental” plane’s details are under FAA investigation.
September 11, 2025: Convicted Murderer Seeks Parole: Timothy Pauley, serving life for 1980 triple murders, apologized in court and hopes for release, covered amid ongoing sentencing reviews.
(Ongoing September 2025): KING 5 announced the Seattle Seahawks’ 2025 preseason games will air on the station, with the full schedule released including home openers vs. the 49ers on September 7. Coverage also included Washington schools enhancing safety with phone alerts and cameras, and environmental stories like The Enchantments’ overcrowding issues with trash and waste.
KIRO (channel 7)
A CBS-affiliated station owned by Cox Media Group, with an understaffed newsroom scrambling to cover local news, weather, traffic, and sports in the Seattle-Tacoma market. KIRO 7 studios are in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. The station streams live newscasts via its app and website. No major station-specific announcements or programming shifts, have been reported this week. Recent content focuses on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, local crime, and sports.
September 11, 2025: Mariners’ Superstition Story and Win Streak: KIRO 7 featured a lighthearted segment on fan Steve Blackburn, who hired a witch via Etsy to boost the Seattle Mariners’ luck, crediting it for their ongoing win streak. The team hasn’t lost since, and announcers gave a shoutout during games. This ties into coverage of their recent 7-6 walk-off win over the Angels, positioning them tied for first in the AL West.
September 11, 2025: Political Violence and Charlie Kirk Remembrance: The station shared photos and expert analysis on the rising tide of political violence in America following Charlie Kirk’s assassination at a Utah college event. Coverage included a Seattle prayer vigil attended by about 200 people mourning the conservative activist, with discussions on inflammatory rhetoric from both parties.
September 11, 2025: 9/11 Remembrances and Flag Order: On the 24th anniversary, KIRO 7 reported Gov. Bob Ferguson extending the half-staff flag order through the weekend to honor 9/11 victims and recent political violence, including Kirk’s death. Local firefighters climbed the Space Needle’s 676 steps in a memorial stair climb, symbolizing the 343 fallen FDNY members.
September 11, 2025: School Assault Lawsuit: Parents filed a lawsuit against Bethel School District after their daughter was allegedly assaulted by a student with a prior history of sexual misconduct, raising concerns about student safety protocols.
September 11, 2025: Standoff Near Elementary School: A shooting near an elementary school in South Hill led to a peaceful standoff at a nearby home, with no injuries to students and the suspect taken into custody after several hours.
September 11, 2025: $2 Million Powerball Win in Tacoma: KIRO 7 urged viewers to check tickets after a $2 million Powerball prize was sold at a Tacoma gas station on September 10, highlighting the local windfall.
September 11, 2025: Plane Crash Near Chehalis: One person was injured in an experimental aircraft crash near the Chehalis River Bridge, closing SR 6 for two hours; the FAA is investigating.
September 11, 2025: Human Trafficking Arrests in Everett: Police arrested two suspects in a trafficking ring involving minors as young as 13, part of an ongoing operation targeting exploitation in the area.
September 11, 2025: Alaska Airlines Sexual Contact Verdict: A passenger was found guilty of abusive sexual contact with a minor on a Seattle-bound flight, facing potential prison time.
September 11, 2025: King County Auditor Error Correction: The auditor’s office corrected a $900 million accounting mistake in a recent financial report, sparking questions about fiscal oversight.
September 11, 2025: Orting Schools Lockdown: Schools in Orting were briefly locked down after a warrant suspect fled near campus, with no threats to students.
September 11, 2025: xAI Office Expansion: Elon Musk’s xAI is planning a new office in the Seattle area, joining the region’s AI boom alongside companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
September 11, 2025: New Dining Spot Opening: A chic restaurant soft-opened on Friday, offering new dining options in Seattle’s evolving food scene.
Earlier Highlights: Coverage of the Waterfront Park completion celebration (September 5) included shuttle services and events through mid-September, with KIRO 7 as the official TV partner. Weather updates noted improving conditions post-smoke from Canadian wildfires.
KSTW (channel 11)
Branded as Seattle 11 and licensed to Tacoma, Channel 11 remains an independent television station at this time. Owned by the CBS News and Stations group (a division of Paramount Global), it operates studios in Seattle’s Cherry Hill neighborhood and a transmitter on Capitol Hill. The station focuses on a mix of syndicated programming, movies, sports highlights, and occasional local content, without producing its own news. It previously served as the market’s CW affiliate until early 2025, when the affiliation shifted to KUNS-TV (channel 51), leading KSTW to revert to independent status for the first time since 1995.
KCPQ (channel 13)
Branded as FOX 13 Seattle and owned by Fox Television Stations (a division of Fox Corporation) – The station, with studios in Seattle’s Westlake neighborhood and a transmitter on Gold Mountain in Bremerton, focuses on local news, weather, traffic, sports, and entertainment programming like Good Day Seattle and Studio 13 Live. KCPQ is licensed to Tacoma. No major station-specific developments, such as ownership changes or programming overhauls, have been reported recently. Recent coverage mirrors regional peers:
September 11, 2025: Coverage of Charlie Kirk Assassination and Political Violence: KCPQ extensively reported on the casket of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, being flown back to Arizona on Air Force Two following his fatal shooting at a Utah Valley University event in Orem, Utah. The station highlighted national mourning, including a Seattle-area vigil, and tied it to broader discussions on rising political rhetoric. This aligns with 9/11 remembrances, with Gov. Bob Ferguson ordering flags at half-staff through the weekend to honor victims of the attacks and recent violence.
September 11, 2025: Local Crime Spotlight – Ex-Girlfriend with Shotgun Incident: In The Spotlight segment, KCPQ covered a Maple Valley case where an angry ex-girlfriend armed with a shotgun approached a home, intercepted by police using a journal entry and drone surveillance. Additional reports included a Seattle man shot in the chest after a bar altercation and a dangerous driver in Thurston County, emphasizing community safety in the Puget Sound region.
September 9-11, 2025: Mariners Sports Coverage: The station recapped the Seattle Mariners’ 8-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on September 9, with Eugenio Suárez homering and Bryan Woo pitching seven strong innings. This keeps the team in AL West contention, with ongoing analysis of their offensive struggles in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. KCPQ also noted the team’s preseason schedule airing on FOX affiliates.
September 11, 2025: Transit Disruptions: Coverage included the temporary closure of Seattle’s Beacon Hill Station due to a mechanical issue, with shuttle buses replacing Link light rail service between SODO and Mount Baker stations, impacting commuters.
September 10, 2025: Human Trafficking Arrests: KCPQ reported on a trafficking ring in the Seattle area involving seven to nine women, including a minor as young as 13, with two suspects arrested after an investigation.
September 9, 2025: Trader Joe’s Knife Threat: A man was arrested in Seattle after threatening to kill people with a knife inside a Trader Joe’s store, covered as part of local crime updates.
Other HighlightsProgramming and Streaming (Ongoing): Since the June 2025 expansion, KCPQ’s weekday lineup includes six hours of Good Day Seattle (5-11 a.m.), followed by Studio 13 Live, and new evening slots like Seattle News Tonight at 4 and 5 p.m. The station added 31 hours of weekly live-streamed news on the FOX Local Seattle platform, enhancing digital access for cord-cutters.
CENSORSHIP
September 19, 2025 at QZVX
Mary Craft says:
So now the only news available to me on the peninsula must be Trump approved? Shame on you.