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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

  • Taking Care Jacket

    'Taking Care' cuts through gendered mythos and illuminates the complexities of nursing

    Nursing is a fundamental expression of care, as old and foundational as human touch. It’s also a highly technical profession that underpins our modern health care system, weaving together biological science with emotional labor. In her new book, journalist and author Sarah DiGregorio examines nursing’s long history and its complicated and powerful role in our lives today.

  • caption: University of Washington researchers picketing near Husky Stadium Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

    The basics behind the UW Researcher Strike

    KUOW labor & economy reporter Monica Nicklesburg joins Soundside to talk about the researcher strike happening at the University of Washington.

  • caption: Seattle City Hall

    Seattle City Council rejects drug enforcement policy — for now

    In a 5-4 vote on Tuesday, the Seattle City Council rejected a policy that would have given the city attorney the power to prosecute people for possessing illegal drugs or using them in public. Now, questions remain around whether the council could see a revised policy in the future.

  • caption: In this photo taken June 4, 2018, the downtown skyline is shown from the South Hill in Spokane, Wash.

    Spokane weighs how much authority to give its police ombudsman

    The City of Spokane is taking a hard look at police oversight after a major report about the conduct of the Chief of Police hit roadblocks in the mayor’s office. It looked at allegations that the police chief was giving a group of downtown Spokane business owners “special access” to public records. The release of the Ombudsman’s report, and recommendations, set off a firestorm at City Hall with some wondering just how much authority the watchdog’s office should have.

  • medical doctor hospital generic

    Washington's strained mental health care system prepares for another blow

    Cascade Behavioral Health Hospital in Tukwila has served an estimated 25 thousand patients in the decade it’s been open. It offers something in extremely short supply in Washington state: inpatient psychiatric care. But now, that service is going away. During an all-staff meeting last week, hospital officials announced the facility would be closing by the end of July.

  • caption: In this photo taken Nov. 23, 2015, sophomores Kendra Mitchell, second left, and Katie Benmar, sit with other first-period students in a geography class at Roosevelt High School in Seattle.

    Despite decades of integration, Seattle schools are re-segregating

    In 1978, Seattle began an effort to desegregate its schools. Two decades after the landmark Brown V. Board of Education ruling, it was the first major city to voluntarily take on racial segregation in schools – the enduring legacy of racist policies like redlining. For 40 years, Seattle students were bussed to schools across town in an effort to put students and schools in different parts of town on equal footing. But then, in 2007, the district’s integration policies were challenged by white parents. And ultimately deemed unconstitutional.