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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

  • 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.

  • caption: Driving along Hwy 7 through southern Pierce County, you can see "No Airport Here!" signs on gates, front yards, and street corners.

    Washington state hits the reset button on its search for a new airport site

    With the stroke of a pen last week, Governor Jay Inslee hit “reset” on years of work to decide where to build a new major airport in Western Washington. While pockets of Pierce and Thurston counties are breathing a big sigh of relief over the decision, many state leaders are scratching their heads about what’s next.