Alec Cowan
Producer, Soundside
About
Alec Cowan is a producer for Soundside. His interests have brought many eclectic stories to the program, and his segments gravitate toward history, technology, arts and culture, and the environment. Proud to be KUOW's unofficial "boat guy."
Prior to joining Soundside, Alec wore many hats at KUOW. He was a producer for The Record with Bill Radke and Primed seasons two and three . He also reported an episode of SoundQs detailing how prohibition forever changed Seattle policing and assisted with reporting a breakthrough cold case solved with the use of genetic genealogy.
Before joining KUOW Alec worked in NPR's Story Lab, where he helped pilot the Louder Than a Riot podcast, about hip-hop and mass incarceration, and assisted in producing a story on volunteerism in Iraq for Rough Translation. Originally from Grand Junction, Colorado, his roots in the Northwest begin in Eugene, where he studied English and philosophy at the University of Oregon and worked as a news reporter for NPR member station KLCC. He is likely neglecting his saxophone, growing book collection, and expanding personal project list in favor of boosting his online Xbox ranking.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: he/him/his
Podcasts
Stories
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Environment
Wildlife is learning to live in NW cities. Can we adapt with them?
The towns and cities around Puget Sound are no strangers to wildlife. From orcas and sea slugs to bald eagles and crows, a whole host of creatures call our urban habitat home. But learning to live with our wild neighbors hasn't always been easy, and it's only getting more difficult.
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Health
Washington's indoor mask mandate is over. Here's how Seattle is feeling about it.
For the last couple of years, your get-out-the-door routine probably involved checking to see if you had your keys, your wallet, and a face mask.
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Health
How concerned should you be about nuclear radiation from Ukraine?
In the last two weeks, news of skirmishes around Ukraine's nuclear power plants are producing a lot of anxiety. That's not even taking into account that Russian President Vladimir Putin has put Russian nuclear forces on high alert. Should something unimaginable happen, what risk does nuclear fallout pose to Washington State?
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Technology
What are non-fungible tokens? Seattle's new NFT museum is here to explain
NFTs — non-fungible tokens — are a trendy new internet phenomenon. They operate with other monolithic technologies like cryptocurrency and the blockchain, the heralds of what the tech industry is calling "Web 3.0." But what does all that mean? Seattle's new NFT museum wants to help you find the answer.
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Arts & Life
Postcard: The dogs we love
We hear from two listeners who found unexpected solace in the places -- and PETS -- they love.
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Arts & Life
Postcard: I am not OK
We hear from Drew in Seattle's Central District, who takes us to a place in the city that will forever remind him of living through this pandemic.
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Arts & Life
Charting change in the U District through one of its most beloved restaurants
Taso Lagos first immigrated to Seattle with his family from Greece when he was just nine years old. For 40 years, this family constellated around the Continental Restaurant on University Way NE, near the University of Washington.
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Politics
'Nobody believed that this would happen.' The war in Ukraine from Seattle
After weeks of signaling and buildup of troops and equipment, Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In other words, Vladimir Putin has ordered likely the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II. KUOW's Soundside heard from several Seattleites about their view of what's happening in Ukraine.
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Environment
A new federal strategy for managing and preventing wildfires
Last month the Biden Administration announced a 10 year, $50 billion investment in renewed forest management practices. The funding will focus on "fireshed" zones throughout the Western United States, which are forests at a greater risk of conflagration with close proximity to communities. What does this new strategy mean for Washington's forests?
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Government
'The Wild West on the water.' Finding makeshift housing on Puget Sound
It isn't hard to notice a derelict boat -- their bilges are dirty, their engines are smoking, or their mast may be missing. But when searching for shelter, older and dingier boats can be a lifeline for many.