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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

Stories

  • car subaru license plate generic
    Health

    WA lawmakers consider options to make drivers ed more equitable

    Today, 16- and 17-year-olds in Washington are mostly turning to private driver’s ed companies for traffic safety courses. Up until the year 2000, nearly every school district in the state offered a driver’s ed course. But those largely faded away after the Washington legislature cut funding in 2002. And now, lawmakers are trying to confront the ramifications of that decision.

  • caption: Seattle School for Boys students walk together before the first day of school on Monday, September 13, 2021, along 28th Avenue South in Seattle.
    Education

    Seattle Public Schools could consolidate schools as soon as 2024

    Families are reacting to the Bellevue School District's decision to recommend the consolidation of three elementary schools in the district. Bellevue Schools says it's making the call because of declining enrollment — a struggle many local districts may face in the coming years — including just across Lake Washington, in Seattle.

  • caption: The first free-standing tsunami refuge in North America is now open in Tokeland in Pacific County, Washington.
    Government

    Ocean Shores school officials remain wary of new tsunami tower

    When a tsunami forms, some coastal communities can see rising water in as little as 20 minutes. In preparation, those communities have begun building tsunami evacuation towers. But building these towers is expensive, and some small coastal communities are wary of signing onto their construction.

  • caption: At a concert organized by the 43rd District Democrats on Capitol Hill, musicians spoke about their housing struggles and pitched I-135 as a solution. In this image, Shaina Shepherd performs for a crowd including I-135's mascot, "Housey."

    What is the social housing initiative? You asked, we have answers

    Initiative 135 would create a publicly owned developer that builds and preserves affordable housing. KUOW’s Joshua McNichols recently reported on some of the arguments for and against I-135, which is the only item on the Feb. 14 ballot. We received a number of questions about the initiative. We looked into a few of those questions.

  • Soundside presents: NO SPOILERS!
    Arts & Life

    Soundside presents: NO SPOILERS

    Host Libby Denkmann is joined by a panel of the nerdiest folks at KUOW to discuss "Dungeons & Dragons" and the anticipated but not yet confirmed closure of the Regal 16 in downtown Seattle.

  • caption: Henry (the horse) pushes in front of SAFE Executive Director Bonnie Hammond.
    Arts & Life

    Giving neglected horses a SAFE home

    In Redmond, an 11-acre facility called Save a Forgotten Equine, or SAFE, helps horses suffering from neglect and abuse recover in a setting that slowly rebuilds their trust and sense of safety.