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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

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    The 'chatbot' race is on. How should we use them?

    Late last year, ChatGPT took the internet by storm. Many have heralded the large language model (LLM) as a new era of technology. Since ChatGPT's parent company, OpenAI, released it to the public, other tech giants are jumping in. Bing, Microsoft's search engine, debuted a limited release of its helpful AI. Google is also working out the kinks in its version, named "Bard." But what's going on under the hood?
  • caption: On the drive to Malden, dry grass and metal roof barns along the road.

    Rural communities desperately need more pharmacists. A new initiative aims to help

    Around the country, many rural communities are dealing with the issue of “pharmacy deserts.” A combination of widespread retirements and high operating costs is leading to a shortage of pharmacists and pharmacies. In rural communities across Washington state, those in the profession are usually the first person residents see for medical care.

  • caption: Angelo Badalamenti performs at the David Lynch Foundation Music Celebration at the Theatre at Ace Hotel on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, in Los Angeles.

    Hear it again: Remembering the maestro behind 'Twin Peaks' sound

    February 24th marks the day agent Dale Cooper first came to the town of Twin Peaks. While the town may be fictional, the towns of Snoqualmie and North Bend have embraced “The Real Twin Peaks Days." We're celebrating by returning to one of our favorite stories — remembering the maestro behind the music that made Twin Peaks so iconic.

  • caption: David Tagliani, left, and his dog, Libby, live in Ukraine. They're helping deliver aid on the front lines.

    From unexpected invasion to unyielding resolve, Seattleite documents a year of war in Ukraine

    On February 23, 2022, Ukrainians went to bed in a country on the brink. For months, Russian military forces were stationed near the border, encircling Ukraine on three sides. The U.S. intelligence community told the world to brace for an invasion. But many observers questioned if war was in Vladimir Putin’s plans. The worst-case scenario was confirmed the next morning, when Putin announced a "special military operation." Soundside host Libby Denkmann caught up with David Tagliani, a Seattleite volunteering on the ground in Ukraine with the aid organization Stay Safe UA.

  • caption: A demonstration in support of Ukraine at Seattle's Space Needle on Feb. 24, 2022.

    A year later, Ukrainian refugees' legal status creates roadblocks for resettling in the PNW

    The U.N. estimates that at least 8 million Ukrainian refugees have been recorded across Europe. Before Russia’s invasion, the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan prompted another refugee crisis. These global conflicts, among others, have triggered mass displacements on an unprecedented scale. Some folks are making it here. In the last year, Snohomish county alone has welcomed several thousand Ukrainian and Afghan refugees.
  • Ghost Herd Logo FINAL

    Soundside goes live: Behind the scenes of 'Ghost Herd'

    All six episodes of the series are out now, and Soundside host Libby Denkmann caught up with host Anna King, and producer Matt Martin to talk about reporting on one of the biggest cattle swindles in U.S. history.