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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: King County drop box.

    On the Ballot: Moving King County elections to even years

    The Metropolitan King County Council voted this week to change how we vote in King County. Here’s a hint: they want election years to be divisible by two. Voters will decide whether or not this change will be made this November, and Soundside invited Crosscut.com state politics reporter Joseph O’Sullivan and Political Science Professor Todd Donovan to discuss what this means for the county.

  • caption: The sun sets at Mike's Chili Parlor, located in the same building its been in since 1939.

    The chili dynasty that's lasted a century

    Ballard is a neighborhood in transition. There’s always a new townhouse going up, a restaurant calling it quits, a new, hyper-local apothecary moving in next door. But, among all that change, one establishment has remained for the last century.

  • caption: A More Perfect Union is a collaboration between KUOW, Spokane Public Radio, Northwest Public Broadcasting, and Humanities Washington on content exploring democracy and civic participation. It is funded in part by the Mellon Foundation.

    A More Perfect Union: Latinx voting rights

    In this second episode of A More Perfect Union, reporters from Spokane Public Radio, Northwest Public Broadcasting, KUOW, and Humanities Washington explore Latinx voting rights and civic engagement in our region.

  • 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.