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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: Hospital assistant Tracy Chambers, right, talks with another staff member in a hallway in the acute care unit, where about half the patients are COVID-19 positive or in quarantine after exposure, of Harborview Medical Center, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, in Seattle.

    The US grows ever closer to the somber milestone of one million covid deaths

    According to several news outlets' accounting, the United States has already passed this grim marker. The CDC's numbers have the nation just shy of that. Either way, the pandemic's toll is hard to fathom. KUOW reporters Kate Walters and Ruby de Luna have been spending time learning about who we've lost to Covid here in Washington State.

  • caption: A crowd is gathered during a pro-choice rally and press conference on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Kerry Park in Seattle.

    If Roe v. Wade falls, what does that mean for Washington?

    A draft opinion published late Monday by Politico indicates the Supreme Court is likely to strike down Roe v Wade in the near future. That's the landmark 1973 ruling that guarantees federal protection of abortion rights across the United States. Now, draft opinions are just that -- nothing is set in stone yet. But should it happen, this ruling would mean abortion would be banned or restricted in as many as twenty eight states. Today we're dedicating the hour to talking about the implications of the fall of Roe in the Pacific Northwest. And how local supporters of abortion rights are responding.

  • When it comes to mental health, some of us are thriving and others are spiraling all over again. Experts call it a disaster cascade.

    Adrenaline boost, then disillusionment: This is your brain on disaster cascade

    As the Covid-19 pandemic wears on, a “twin pandemic” is emerging— a pandemic-related mental health crisis. While many are recovering, other are experiencing the impacts of the pandemic all over again. Dr. Kira Mauseth, is a specialist in disaster response and co-lead of the Washington Department of Health's behavioral health strike team. She spoke with Soundside about the varied responses from the pandemic and what we can do to regulate and readjust.

  • caption: Alex Shpungin talks with a friend, Dorea, right, while sitting in his tent on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, near the intersection of Columbia Street and Alaskan Way South in Seattle. Shpungin has lived at this location for 3 months and hopes to stay there as long as possible.

    Edmonds considers making camping in public spaces a misdemeanor

    As inequality rises and our housing crunch just gets worse, cities across the Pacific Northwest are grappling with homelessness and how to regulate public space. The Edmonds City Council is considering an ordinance that would make it a misdemeanor to camp in a park or the sidewalk if the person has been offered shelter. But it's not going down without controversy.