Seattle broadcaster and Longview native Steve Kiggins has died at age 47, according to reporting published by FOX 13 Seattle. His passing marks the loss of a veteran journalist whose career spanned more than two decades across multiple regions of the country.

Kiggins grew up in Longview and began his media career in the master control room at Tacoma’s PBS affiliate. According to biographical details published on his professional site at SteveKiggins.com, his early work in public broadcasting led him to Bates Technical College and an internship at KOMO News. Those opportunities set the stage for his first newsroom job as a photographer in Reno, Nevada—an entry point he later described as the break that allowed him to pursue the work he loved.

Over the following years, Kiggins covered major weather disasters and public safety events while reporting across North Carolina and Georgia. He became an on‑air reporter in Atlanta in 2010 before returning to Washington in 2013. At FOX 13 Seattle, he documented some of the region’s most notable and difficult stories, earning recognition for his steady reporting and calm, clear approach.

In his final professional role, Kiggins worked with KBTC‑TV’s public affairs program Northwest Now and produced a podcast titled “Steve on the Street,” hosted through KBTC at KBTC.org. His published biography described journalism as a form of public service and emphasized his commitment to approaching sensitive stories with humility and care.

Kiggins earned multiple awards and industry recognitions throughout his career. He is survived by his dog.

Why this matters for Cowlitz County

Kiggins’ path from Longview to a decades‑long journalism career reflects the outsized role small‑town talent plays in shaping regional media. His work reached audiences across Washington and the broader Southeast, but his roots remained in the community where he first learned the craft. For many local residents, his career stands as a reminder of how public‑minded storytelling from Southwest Washington can resonate far beyond county lines.

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