Northwest News Radio
April 9, 2025
SEATTLE – Lotus Seattle Corp, a subsidiary of Lotus Communications, is proud to announce the addition of three veteran television news anchors to its daily programming line-up at Northwest Newsradio 97.7/AM 1000. These three talented individuals will be part of a re-branded and re-invigorated news and information format serving most of western Washington.
Former KIRO-TV news anchor Aaron Wright has joined co-host Marina Rockinger weekday afternoons. The two host a newscast designed specifically to help commuters get home informed, engaged, and entertained. Wright and Rockinger co-anchor the radio newscast daily from 3pm to 6pm.
Long-time Seattle TV news anchor and reporter Denise Whitaker is expected to join Northwest Newsradio in June. Whitaker, who is currently wrapping a 20 year-career on KOMO-TV, will join Brian Calvert as co-host of the Northwest Morning News, weekdays from 5am to 9am.
Until Whitaker’s arrival, another longtime television anchor, Chris Nguyen, who most recently anchored for KOMO-TV, will begin duties as co-host of the Northwest Morning News April 14th.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Denise, Aaron, and Chris to the Northwest Newsradio family,” says Lotus Seattle General Manager Andre’ Riley. “Their extensive experience and deep roots in the Seattle television news landscape and community will undoubtedly elevate our commitment to providing the highest quality news and information to our listeners across western Washington.”
“This kind of talent doesn’t walk through the door every day,” says Northwest Newsradio Director of News and Programming Brian Calvert. “We have been improving our product significantly over the last few months, and bringing talent like this aboard further fulfils our commitment to the community to be our absolute best. Besides being at the top of their game, these three are genuinely nice people and awesome team players.”
The addition of the three new anchors comes as Northwest Newsradio 97.7/AM 1000 has completely re-imagined itself, with all-new pacing and energy stemming from a new music suite, new station announcer, and some of the best radio and television journalists on air in the country.
“I’m so proud of this station, and every member of our team,” Calvert adds
It is encouraging to read news such as this. Three talented television news presenters have moved to radio. I hope that the radio news will become more literate and substantial. I still cannot get used to the new callsign. To me, KOMO radio will always be KOMO radio.