Diana Opong
Reporter & Host
About
Diana Opong is a general assignment reporter at KUOW, committed to illuminating impactful stories throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her journalistic lens spans between environmental phenomena like invasive green crabs to transformative milestones in ballet. Rooted in curiosity, Diana's approach to reporting blends meticulous research with collaborative storytelling, ensuring her work resonates deeply with audiences. She has also showcased her expertise as a freelance host for NPR's Life Kit and as a spot news reporter for NPR News, consistently delivering insightful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Member of SBJA, PMJA, SPJ, AIR Media
Stories
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Crime
Can King County actually close its youth jail? It's not so simple, audit finds
In 2020, amid racial justice protests, King County Executive Dow Constantine vowed to close a newly-built youth detention facility in the next five years. A new county audit of the facility, called the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center, points out the complications of actually accomplishing Constantine’s goal.
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Technology
What former Binance CEO's money laundering conviction could mean for crypto crime
This week a Seattle federal court sentenced Changpeng Zhao -- founder and former CEO of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance -- to four months in prison. In contrast to the high-profile case of FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who used his crypto exchange to defraud billions of dollars from its users, Zhao pled guilty to not doing more to prevent money laundering on his exchange.
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Education
Washington spends big on early education. So, why is it so hard to get your kid into preschool?
Washington ranked 33rd in preschool access for 4-year-olds. Yet Washington ranks eighth in terms of spending. So, what gives?
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Books
Hear it again: How Stephanie Land took on hunger and higher education
In this encore broadcast, Soundside guest host Diana Opong revisits a conversation with author Stephanie Land. Land had just published a book about her experience of going to college as a single mother, and the struggles she faced working towards her degree. Her second book is titled “Class, A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education.”
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Politics
TikTok creators in Western Washington consider the potential impact of a national ban
A new law that could outlaw TikTok in the U.S. in 2025 has content creators in Western Washington worried about the future of their business model.
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Arts & Life
Films directed by women are the rule, not the exception, at CASCADIA film fest in Bellingham
A film fest this weekend in Bellingham is dedicated to highlighting distinct and diverse works from women filmmakers from around the world. It’s called The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival and it kicked off Thursday, April 25. Soundside guest host Diana Opong caught up with a panel of CASCADIA featured directors to discuss their experiences as filmmakers, and to explore what can be done to expand representation behind the camera.
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Health Care
Nurses, technicians, and medical assistants win payout from Providence
Tens of thousands of Providence nurses, technicians, and medical assistants are about to get their slice of a big payout — totaling $220 million. That major chunk of change comes as part of a verdict in a class action wage theft lawsuit. It was filed on behalf of hourly workers against Providence Health & Services.
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Science
Is there life on... Saturn? A small moon orbiting the sixth planet has scientists' attention
One of Saturn's 146 moons is at the center of newly energized interest in the search for life in space.
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Environment
Can we combat climate change by brightening clouds?
A University of Washington professor is the lead researcher on a team experimenting with "cloud brightening" technology to make clouds more reflective so they bounce more of the sun’s rays back out to space, theoretically cooling the Earth and combating global warming.
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Health
How do people escape the 'churn' and enter recovery?
In the final episode of the podcast "Lost Patients," a partnership between KUOW and The Seattle Times, host Will James and reporter Sydney Brownstone look at stories of recovery.