Lori Matsukawa Announces Retirement from KING

Tegna NBC affiliate KING Seattle (DMA 13) 5 will say goodbye to anchor Lori Matsukawa on Friday, June 14, marking the close of her 36 years on-air at the station.

She retires after forging her own legacy at KING. In addition to the stories she covered, she is the recipient of numerous awards, including the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Asian American Journalists Association (2005), induction to the University of Washington Communication Department’s “Alumni Hall of Fame” (2012), the NATAS Northwest “Silver Circle Award” for lifetime achievement (2014) and a regional Emmy Award in 2018 for her series “Prisoners in Their Own Land” about Japanese American wartime incarceration.

“From the beginning, Lori has embodied and truly lived the values that we hold near to our hearts,” said Jim Rose, KING president and general manager. “She is a leader in our community, a friend and mentor to everyone in our building, and one of the greatest journalists we’ve ever seen. To say she’ll be missed by her colleagues, and everyone at home, would be a tremendous understatement.”

Matsukawa’s efforts made an impact on colleagues near and far, including former KING president and current Tegna President-CEO Dave Lougee. “I had the privilege of working with Lori at KING 5 for six years. I saw firsthand her unparalleled commitment to the people of Western Washington,” said Lougee. “Few broadcasters in America have had more of an impact on their community than Lori. She’s a first-class journalist and first class in all ways. I join her colleagues in thanking her for all she’s done to represent KING 5 and their viewers so well.”

Beginning Monday, June 17, KING  morning anchor Joyce Taylor will step into the evening anchor role. Taylor brings her own impressive set of accolades to the evening anchor chair — four Emmy Awards, numerous Emmy Award nominations, a 100 Most Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater, Western Washington University, and more than 30 years of news experience.

Over the next month, KING will celebrate Matsukawa’s many contributions and accomplishments. A Facebook Live is scheduled for Friday, May 10, at 1:30 p.m. where Matsukawa will answer questions and share her plans for the future. A one-hour special sharing memories, photos, videos and stories about Matsukawa is planned for Friday, June 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. on KING.