05/30/2026
Congratulations on your retirement Helen Raptis.
After nearly 29 years at KATU and more than 20 years as the host of AM Northwest, Helen Raptis is announcing her retirement.
Helen joined KATU in May 1998 as AM Northwest’s “Roving Redhead,” reporting on the fun and quirky side of Portland. Helen also anchored KATU’s early morning newscast for three years.
As the host of AM Northwest, Helen became every viewer's best friend, sharing everything about her life, the joys, the losses and even her own battle against breast cancer.
Helen received a Regional Emmy award along with multiple nominations for her work on AM Northwest and in 2015, she was inducted into the NATAS Silver Circle.
Helen's creativity doesn't stop there. She is a professional artist whose paintings decorate the AM Northwest studio and have raised funds for causes close to her heart, including animal rescue organizations and programs that supports children in need. When she’s not painting or hosting AM Northwest, she can often be found on stage performing with a theatre company focused on the LGBTQ+ community.
She is a talent that cannot be replaced. She will leave behind a legacy of creativity, social advocacy and broadcasting excellence!
Her last day will be at the end of May so we will spend the next 3 months, celebrating her, having her taste spicy food (IYKYK), and showing classic Helen moments...maybe a reverse bungee jump clip or two.
Congratulations, Helen! You have been and are one of the mightiest pillars at KATU!
