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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Arts & Life
Why Microsoft is diving into the metaverse... And what the metaverse even is
Microsoft's acquisition of videogame publisher Activision Blizzard is not quite a done deal, but we've got lots of questions about what this massive purchase could mean for one of our region's largest employers -- and our favorite games.
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Environment
Unlocking the secrets of Puget Sound sea slugs
Without a boat or special gear, a lot of our favorite sea creatures remain out of our everyday reach. But there is a little guy you can find most any day on your neighborhood dock: sea slugs, also known by their scientific name, nudibranchs.
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Environment
Our neighbors Sound-under
Soundside takes a deep dive into the waters around Washington to learn about some of our less appreciated neighbors. Because while they may be lesser-known, they have a lot to tell us about our ecosystems, and might even offer some innovative solutions to everyday problems.
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Decades later, a collection of photographs is filling in the corners of Washington's Latino history
Irwin Nash photographed the living and working conditions of workers in the Yakima Valley during the height of the United Farm Workers' Movement. Thanks to technology, his photos are bringing that story to the forefront today.
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Arts & Life
Meet a neighbor: This Leavenworth alphorn player once organized a flash mob
If you're in Leavenworth, you're likely to hear Janet playing solo alphorn up and down Front Street -- and she's also a member of the Bavarian-themed Leavenworth Alphorns.
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Arts & Life
Live from Town Hall (yes, actually live), it's the Year in Review 2021!
Bill Radke reviews a roller-coaster year with Crosscut Science and Environment Reporter Hannah Weinberger; South Seattle Emerald reporter and co-host of Clap Back Culture on Converge Media, Mike Davis; and KUOW's new midday host, Libby Denkmann.
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Politics
The Sawant recall election, encampment removals, and omicron, this week.
Bill Radke reviews the week's news with Political analyst and contributing columnist Joni Balter, SCC Insight's Kevin Schofield, and Seattle Times Senior Investigative Reporter Jonathan Martin.
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The Charleena Lyles settlement, COVID-19, and Mt. Baker Shootings, this week.
Bill Radke reviews the week's news with Seattle Met Deputy Editor Allison Williams, South Seattle Emerald Publisher and Seattle Times columnist Marcus Green, and New York Times technology correspondent Karen Weise.
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Environment
Flooding, COVID-19, and Thanksgiving preparation, this week.
Bill Radke reviews the week's news with Northwest News Network and KUOW correspondent Anna King, Freelance Science Reporter Jane C Hu and The Stranger staff writer Jas Keimig.
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Education
The election, school closures, and mascots, this week
Bill Radke discusses the week's news with Washington State Wire CEO and publisher D.J. Wilson, The Everett Herald Young Cities reporter Isabella Breda, and Crosscut city politics reporter David Kroman.