See you at the library: Free KUOW speaker series connects you to our reporters
Get a behind-the-scenes look into our headline stories and share your ideas and questions with KUOW journalists.
According to a Pew Research Center poll, 83 percent of people in the Seattle area say they have never spoken with a local journalist. Together with the King County Library System, we hope to change that, one in-real-life gathering at time.
In this current era of "fake news" fear, it's more important than ever that citizens understand how the news works and have opportunities to be heard by the journalists who are reporting the stories that impact them.
At each of these hour-long presentations at King County libraries, audience members will get a behind-the-scenes look into our headline KUOW stories and have a chance to share ideas, questions and concerns with our award-winning reporters.
All events are free and open to the public.
For the most up-to-date information about this series, follow our Community Engagement team on Twitter @KUOWengage.
Reach out to engage@KUOW.org with any questions, feedback, or requests to bring our journalists to your community group or classroom for free presentations.
7:00 PM, Thursday, October 17, 2019
Our Food, Our Stories
WHERE: Kirkland branch library (308 Kirkland Ave, 98033)
WHO: Food and Culture Reporter Ruby de Luna
TALK DESCRIPTION: Food sustains us and delights us. It’s also an expression of our identity. Our region’s bounty has inspired dreamers and entrepreneurs. Their creations have put Washington on the culinary map. But food also touches many aspects of our society: health, economics, politics and agriculture. In this talk, KUOW's food reporter Ruby de Luna looks at some of the people who are inspired by food and use it to follow their dreams, or to engage their neighbors for social change.
WHERE: Woodinville branch library (17105 Avondale Road NE, 98072)
WHO: Homelessness Reporter Kate Walters
TALK DESCRIPTION: Homelessness is one of the biggest issues faced in Seattle and King County. On any given night there are more than 12,000 people experiencing homelessness county-wide. This is a complicated issue that evokes strong emotions from people across the region. There are a wide range of opinions on how to best tackle the issue, how much money should be spent, whether public dollars are being spent wisely, what works and what doesn’t. In this talk, KUOW's homelessness reporter Kate Walters speaks about the challenges that come with reporting on this topic, what we know and what we don’t, and how she personally approaches the process of reporting on this beat.
2:00 PM, Sunday, October 20, 2019
The Challenges of Reporting on Vaccines
WHERE: Kent branch library (212 2nd Avenue N, 98032)
WHO: Reporter and Online Managing Editor Isolde Raftery
TALK DESCRIPTION: A measles outbreak in Washington State earlier this year prompted Gov. Jay Inslee to declare a state of emergency on Jan. 25. NPR reported that “Vaccination rates in the Pacific Northwest are among the lowest in the nation.” The Washington State legislature is tackling vaccine exemptions. Reporting on this issue presents many challenges to a reporter. In this talk, KUOW's online managing editor Isolde Raftery will address the history of vaccine hesitancy, starting with the American Revolution (small pox), noting the rigor of the tuberculosis vaccine, and tying it with the measles outbreak in Vancouver, WA and other places. The discussion will also address the challenges a reporter faces when reporting on this issue, and how to incorporate the multiple perspectives and beliefs on this topic, while maintaining an accurate and fact-based storytelling.
2:00 PM, Saturday, November 9, 2019
Our Food, Our Stories
WHERE: Redmond branch library (15990 NE 85th St, 98052)
WHO: Food and Culture Reporter Ruby de Luna
TALK DESCRIPTION: Food sustains us and delights us. It’s also an expression of our identity. Our region’s bounty has inspired dreamers and entrepreneurs. Their creations have put Washington on the culinary map. But food also touches many aspects of our society: health, economics, politics and agriculture. In this talk, KUOW's food reporter Ruby de Luna looks at some of the people who are inspired by food and use it to follow their dreams, or to engage their neighbors for social change.
6:30 PM, Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Reporting on Homelessness
WHERE: Kent branch library (212 2nd Avenue N, 98032)
WHO: Homelessness Reporter Kate Walters
TALK DESCRIPTION: Homelessness is one of the biggest issues faced in Seattle and King County. On any given night there are more than 12,000 people experiencing homelessness county-wide. This is a complicated issue that evokes strong emotions from people across the region. There are a wide range of opinions on how to best tackle the issue, how much money should be spent, whether public dollars are being spent wisely, what works and what doesn’t. In this talk, KUOW's homelessness reporter Kate Walters speaks about the challenges that come with reporting on this topic, what we know and what we don’t, and how she personally approaches the process of reporting on this beat.
2:00 PM, Saturday, November 16, 2019
The Surprising History of Public Radio
WHERE: Redmond branch library (15990 NE 85th St, 98052)
WHO: Executive Producer and former Host of The Conversation Ross Reynolds
TALK DESCRIPTION: Since the founding of public radio in the 1960s, NPR and local public radio stations have become a powerful and trusted source of news and information. But with the rapid shift in digital technology, there are many challenges facing the future of public radio. At this discussion, KUOW Executive Producer for Community Engagement Ross Reynolds will trace the origins of public radio from the pre-NPR era to the present, noting the landmark events and the evolution of audio technology from FM to satellite radio, podcasts, and smart speakers. He will answer your questions about the challenges (and opportunities!) for radio stations in digital era and hear your ideas for the ways forward.
7:00 PM, Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Our Food, Our Stories
WHERE: Richmond Beach branch library (19601 21st Ave NW, 98177)
WHO: Food and Culture Reporter Ruby de Luna
TALK DESCRIPTION: Food sustains us and delights us. It’s also an expression of our identity. Our region’s bounty has inspired dreamers and entrepreneurs. Their creations have put Washington on the culinary map. But food also touches many aspects of our society: health, economics, politics and agriculture. In this talk, KUOW's food reporter Ruby de Luna looks at some of the people who are inspired by food and use it to follow their dreams, or to engage their neighbors for social change.
3:30 PM, Wednesday, February 12, 2020
The 94 Decisions That Go Into How To Make a Podcast
WHERE: Woodmont branch library (26809 Pacific Hwy S, 98198)
WHO: SoundQs Reporter and Finding Fixes podcast Host and Producer Anna Boiko-Weyrauch
TALK DESCRIPTION: Every piece of audio journalism you hear, on the radio or in a podcast, doesn’t spring from the minds of its creators fully-formed. Instead, it’s the result of a series of very small, and very many decisions. (94 is just an estimate.) It’s the result of countless conversations and questions, such as Who should we talk to? What should we ask? What should we focus on? What’s the best way to tell this story? In this talk, KUOW’s Anna Boiko-Weyrauch walks through the creation of one podcast episode, starting with the very first decision through the final production.
7:00 PM, Thursday, February 13, 2020
Youth and Guns
WHERE: Bothell Public Library (18215 98th Avenue NE, 98011)
WHO: Justice and Public Health Reporter Patricia Murphy with Youth Advocate Will Jimerson
TALK DESCRIPTION: Of the 246 people who were shot in King County in 2018 nearly 40% were under the age of 25. If the County is truly committed to ending youth incarceration, then it needs to reach these young men before they pick up a firearm. In this talk KUOW's public health and justice reporter Patricia Murphy, along with youth advocate Will Jimerson will talk about how young people perceive guns and violence. They'll also discuss the successes and roadblocks to the County’s plans to address the issues of youth violence and involvement in the criminal justice system.
2:00 PM, Sunday, February 23, 2010
Getting Out of Our Corners: Seeking Dialogue in an Age of Tribalism
WHERE: Kent Public Library (212 2nd Ave N, 98032)
WHO: Politics reporter Amy Radil
TALK DESCRIPTION: These days people don’t just have conflicting opinions. They have entirely different sources of information. In this talk, KUOW's political reporter-Amy Radil- will lead the audience in a conversation on the editorial process, how journalists decide what to cover, and whether just watching a few minutes of the “opposing” TV network is helpful for building understanding. She’ll also celebrate some current examples of thoughtful journalism and storytelling. Audience participation and brainstorming welcome!
7:00 PM, Tuesday, March 10, 2010
Getting Out of Our Corners: Seeking Dialogue in an Age of Tribalism
WHERE: Richmond Beach Library (19601 21st Avenue NW, 98177)
WHO: Politics reporter Amy Radil TALK DESCRIPTION: These days people don’t just have conflicting opinions. They have entirely different sources of information. In this talk, KUOW's political reporter-Amy Radil- will lead the audience in a conversation on the editorial process, how journalists decide what to cover, and whether just watching a few minutes of the “opposing” TV network is helpful for building understanding. She’ll also celebrate some current examples of thoughtful journalism and storytelling. Audience participation and brainstorming welcome!
7:00 PM, Monday, March 30, 2010
Getting Out of Our Corners: Seeking Dialogue in an Age of Tribalism
WHERE: Vashon Island Library (17210 Vashon Hwy SW, 98070)
WHO: Politics reporter Amy Radil
TALK DESCRIPTION: These days people don’t just have conflicting opinions. They have entirely different sources of information. In this talk, KUOW's political reporter-Amy Radil- will lead the audience in a conversation on the editorial process, how journalists decide what to cover, and whether just watching a few minutes of the “opposing” TV network is helpful for building understanding. She’ll also celebrate some current examples of thoughtful journalism and storytelling. Audience participation and brainstorming welcome!
