John O'Brien
Senior Producer, All Things Considered
About
John O’Brien is KUOW's All Things Considered Senior Producer. He spends his days setting up interviews with newsmakers on subjects from politics and public health to arts and culture. John learned to make radio starting in 2006 as an intern on KUOW’s The Conversation with Ross Reynolds.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English
Pronouns: he/him
Podcasts
Stories
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Snohomish planners reflect on flood safety in wake of Texas tragedy
The high death toll from the July 4 flood in Kerr County, Texas, has prompted questions about flood preparation across the country. Western Washington is one of the most flood-prone regions in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. To find out about preparations in Snohomish County, KUOW’s Paige Browning spoke to Emergency Management Director Lucia Schmit and Surface Water Management Director Gregg Farris.
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As air quality worsens, UW scientist focuses on effects of wildfire smoke
It’s been a relatively quiet wildfire season so far in the Pacific Northwest, with not much in the way of large fires or widespread smoke pollution — yet. But a recent study found that more frequent wildfires have been erasing air quality gains in the United States.
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Comedian W. Kamau Bell surfs the left-right divide with ‘Who's With Me?’
On tour with a new standup show, the award-winning comedian talked to KUOW’s Kim Malcolm about what's making him laugh these days and what’s giving him pause.
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Former MLB player with PNW roots takes on unhealthy youth sports culture
Travis Snider, a former Major League Baseball Player with Pacific Northwest roots, spoke with KUOW's Kim Malcom about his efforts to make youth sports culture healthier.
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Always hopeful, often bitter: Seattle SuperSonics fans watch Thunder roar
The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated their first NBA title with a parade through their downtown Tuesday morning, and that stings two time zones away here in Seattle.
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Seattle celebrates Juneteenth with Black culture ‘unapologetically on display'
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. The tradition began in 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Texas received word, belatedly, of their emancipation. The celebrations have spread around the country, and in the wake of nationwide protests after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis in 2020, the day became a federal holiday. Marcus Harrison Green is the founder of the South Seattle Emerald, a columnist with The Stranger, and co-host of the new podcast In the Meanwhile. He talked to KUOW’s Kim Malcolm about holiday celebrations here in Seattle.
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After deaths of the Decker sisters, advocates call for review of Amber Alert system
Child safety advocates and Washington state lawmakers met on the steps of Seattle City Hall Friday to call for a review of Washington’s Amber Alert system. Their calls are in response to the deaths of the three Decker sisters.
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Seattle’s new PWHL team could be ‘scary’ good
Seattle's brand-new women's pro hockey team is coming together.
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Go Oilers? Canadians vie for the Stanley Cup, and debate a new pipeline
KUOW’s Kim Malcolm caught up with Vancouver-based journalist Michelle Eliot for an update on politics, environmental and wildfire concerns, Stanley Cup Fever, and the end of the line for the Hudson’s Bay Company, founded in 1670.
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City of Bellingham sends love letter (of sorts) to Canadian neighbors boycotting the US
It's been four months since the start of cross border tensions between the US and Canada and the boycott of Canadian visitors is deepening. The latest traffic data shows half the number of vehicles with Canadian plates coming into Washington state in April compared to last year. It's a blow to Whatcom County, which usually sees Canadians pump around $140 million a year into the local economy. Last week, the Bellingham City Council and the mayor took another step in trying to mend fences. They wrote a love letter of sorts to Canadians and sent it to the leaders of nine BC cities in the lower mainland, including Vancouver. KUOW’s Kim Malcolm talked to Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund about the letter.