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Libby Denkmann

Host, Soundside

About

Libby Denkmann has covered veterans issues, homelessness and local politics during her radio journalism career. She became the host of KUOW's Soundside in November 2021. Previously she was a producer, reporter, anchor and host for stations KIRO, KFI and KPCC in Seattle and Los Angeles. During a yearlong hiatus from journalism in 2011, she worked as a congressional staffer in Washington, D.C.. Libby was born in Seattle, grew up on the eastside, and graduated from the University of Washington. Her favorite things include soccer, video games and her dog, Monty.

Location: Seattle

Languages: English, limited Japanese and Portuguese

Pronouns: she/her

Podcasts

Stories

  • LGBTQ Youth Pride
    Soundside

    Seattle Pride attendees on the end of Roe and what comes next

    This weekend brought a mixture of emotions for the LGBTQ+ community in Seattle. For many, it was a return to in-person Pride celebrations - including the first Seattle Pride Parade in downtown Seattle since 2019. But there was a shadow over the festivities.

  • caption: Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson looks on during a news conference in Seattle on Dec. 17, 2019.
    Soundside

    AG Ferguson on what happens next for abortion in Washington

    At the time of Friday's Supreme Court ruling, 13 states had trigger bans in place waiting to severely restrict or ban abortion services when they go into effect -- most within the first 30 days after the court's decision. As of now, South Dakota, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Louisiana have already banned abortion. Here in Washington, abortion is still legal. And Attorney General Bob Ferguson says he's committed to protecting Washingtonians' right to choose.

  • caption: Estella gets her first Covid-19 vaccine at a Seattle Children's clinic for children under five on June 21, 2022.
    Soundside

    Finally, Covid vaccines for the little ones

    We've hit a new milestone in our fight against the pandemic. As of June 21, children under the age of five are finally able to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. KUOW reporter Kate Walters talked to parents getting their young children vaccinated at Seattle Children’s Hospital on the first day that doses were available.

  • caption: Homes in Queen Anne are shown from the Space Needle on Monday, November 6, 2017, in Seattle.
    Soundside

    Housing Density: What we're missing without a middle option

    “Missing middle housing” is more affordable for people to buy. It’s called the “missing middle,” because while we’ve gotten better at building low-income housing, and the market builds a lot of expensive homes already, there isn’t a lot in the middle. KUOW's Joshua McNichols spoke with University of Washington Architecture students about their ideas to make housing more affordable and more available.

  • yard garden generic
    Soundside

    Helping your garden move from June gloom to summer sun

    So far, on the official second day of summer - we're back to the June gloom vibe we’ve been stuck with for most of the spring. Cold, wet, and no sun in sight. But that’s supposed to change soon. It looks like there are 80-plus-degree days coming this weekend. Between the soggy weather, and the sudden shift to summer temperatures: Pacific Northwest gardeners need a pep talk. And Ciscoe Morris is here to help.

  • caption: Dr. Jerry Garcia (left) and Dr. Erasmo Gamboa (right) at Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a and Latino/a culture, in South Park. Behind them are cabins from Sunnyside, WA, which were previously housing for agricultural workers.
    Soundside

    Exploring the complexities of our democracy

    A More Perfect Union is a media project that explores the complexities of our democracy in order to help strengthen it. Through radio programs, podcasts, and oral histories, A More Perfect Union examines American democracy’s founding documents: the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, through a cross-cultural lens.

  • caption: Visitors to Wa Na Wari in the Central District take in a sculpture and immersive installation by Pittsburgh-based artist Vanessa German.
    Soundside

    Wa Na Wari celebrates Black joy with Juneteenth Photobooth

    While Juneteenth has been honored as an official “Day of Remembrance” in Washington state since 2007, the day became an official state and federal holiday last year. Juneteenth is this Sunday, and there are a plethora of events to check out around the Seattle area throughout the weekend.

  • caption: A fully loaded container ship heads up the Duwamish Waterway and into the Port of Seattle past other ships already in position to be unloaded in this Wednesday, June 8, 2005, file photo in Seattle.
    Soundside

    Hear it again: Congress looks to fix supply chain kinks, including in the Northwest

    The Pacific Northwest, like the rest of the world, is dealing with supply chain issues. An increased demand for foreign goods, combined with a worker shortage, and a lack of port terminals and shipping containers is making it more expensive and time-consuming to move products. Congress just took a step aimed at ironing out one slice of that mess: It’s The Ocean Shipping Reform Act - a bill that passed with bipartisan support yesterday in the House of Representatives, and is now heading to the President's desk.