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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: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to a crowd gathered for a pro-choice rally and press conference on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Kerry Park in Seattle.

    Gov Jay Inslee on abortion rights, the January 6th hearings, and more

    It's been a busy few days. The Supreme Court's conservative majority has overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, struck a blow to states’ power to regulate guns, and weakened Miranda rights. And hearings on the January 6th insurrection continue at the Capitol.

  • caption: Joe Kennedy, a former assistant football coach at Bremerton High School, poses for a photo March 9, 2022, at the school's football field. He was fired after refusing to stop kneeling in prayer with players and spectators on the field immediately after football games. He sued over the matter and took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the Bremerton School District violated his First Amendment rights.

    Hear it again: Kennedy v. Bremerton School District and SCOTUS

    While most have been tuned into understanding implications the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade will have on the country, the ruling on another case with local roots, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, was issued today.

  • LGBTQ Youth Pride

    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.

    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.

    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.

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

    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

    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.

    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.

    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.