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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: A fighter jet flies near a large balloon drifting above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina near Myrtle Beach, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Minutes later, the balloon was struck by a missile from an F-22 fighter jet, ending its weeklong traverse over the U.S. China said the balloon was a weather research vessel blown off course, a claim rejected by U.S. officials.

    Could unidentified objects represent another 'Sputnik moment' in U.S. skies?

    The White House says that the three flying objects U.S. fighter jets shot down last weekend were probably not spying on us — they could be benign, for research or commercial purposes. And, they originated on Earth (no aliens to see here.) That got us wondering — who’s finding these things? And why are they suddenly popping up so often, after the U.S. popped a much larger, suspected Chinese surveillance balloon earlier this month?

  • caption: The brown marmorated stink bug is native to south Asia, but since the 1970s, its made its way to more than a dozen states in the U.S.

    The Abstract: Stink bugs, penguins, and climate change, oh my

    In this first episode of a new segment on scientific research in Washington state that we're calling "The Abstract," we’re exploring new revelations about how animals adapt to climate change and what that tells us about the future of ecosystems, including an unwelcome and foul-smelling new neighbor here in the Pacific Northwest, and an adorable Patagonian predator.

  • car subaru license plate generic

    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.

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    What's behind skyrocketing rents in Eastern Washington?

    To find the fastest rent increases in Washington, you have to look outside of the major metro areas. Traditionally affordable places across the state are quickly pricing out minimum wage workers and retirees.
  • caption: Tree health specialists scan forests, looking for fir trees that have turned red, which indicates that they are dead.

    Washington state has a new carbon credit market. What does that mean?

    In the face of climate change, some state governments are turning to an old standby: market-based solutions to try to lower carbon emissions. With the first carbon credit auction set to take place in Washington, how will the state balance industry with conservation?

  • 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.

    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.

    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!

    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.