Summary:
Deborah Horne, a respected journalist for KIRO 7 in Seattle, has retired after 34 years of covering significant stories in the Puget Sound region. Known for her dedication to truth, community, and impactful storytelling, Horne served as a mentor and role model to aspiring journalists. She was honored with The Gracie Award for best local talent in the United States in 2022, which she considers the highlight of her career. Horne's legacy will have a lasting impact on the Pacific Northwest media landscape.
Deborah Horne, a trusted voice in Seattle journalism for more than three decades, has retired from KIRO 7. Her final day on air was Oct. 8, marking the end of a 34-year career defined by dedication to truth, community, and impactful storytelling.
As a longtime reporter for KIRO 7, Horne covered some of the most defining stories in Seattle and the Puget Sound region—from breaking news to human-interest features that captured the city’s character and diversity. Her journalism amplified voices across the community, spotlighted underrepresented stories, and earned the trust of viewers across generations.
Beyond her reporting, Horne served as a mentor and role model to aspiring journalists. Her professionalism, empathy, and unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity helped shape the next generation of storytellers.
In a reflection on her career, Horne shared her passion for the work.
“I became a journalist because, as my mother often said, I like ‘to be in the know,’” said Deborah Horne. “I love learning new things. I very much believe in our mission of delivering the facts that you need to make decisions in your life. It is a promise I make to myself and to you every day: to get the information and deliver it to you without favor because you are our most important judge.”
Horne grew up in Newport News, Virginia, and has worked in Providence, Rhode Island, and Seattle. Of the thousands of stories she’s covered, the ones that stayed with her most were those rooted in human experiences.
“The stories that stay with me most are those that involve people,” said Horne. “Like a woman making crane earrings to raise money in the fight against Asian hate who had her own painful story; three Thai filmmakers who happen to be brothers who began making films as kids growing up in Des Moines; a rising star in the opera world who grew up in Lakewood.”
In 2022, Horne was honored with The Gracie Award for best local talent in the United States—an achievement she considers the pinnacle of her career.
“My proudest moment was when I won ‘The Gracie’ award,” said Horne. “It felt like my childhood dream had come true: to be the best reporter I could be and be recognized as such.”
Her departure leaves a legacy of excellence in local journalism and a lasting impact on the Pacific Northwest media landscape.
