For the fourth time in the last five years, Kootenay Co-op Radio (KCR) is proud to receive crucial support from the nation-wide Local Journalism Initiative (LJI).
Why This Matters for KCR and the West Kootenays
For a rural area like ours, independent journalism isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifeline. Rural communities are increasingly at risk of becoming “news deserts,” where major local stories, city council decisions, and regional struggles go uncovered by mainstream, urban-centric media.
By securing this funding, KCR is able to bridge that gap. It allows us to keep our fingers on the pulse of the West Kootenays, holding local institutions accountable and sharing the unique, grassroots stories that define our region.
Meet Our New Newsroom Team
Thanks to this year’s increased support, we are thrilled to announce that we’ve hired not one, but two dedicated reporters to cover our community: Heather Austin and Jamie Frederick.
Keep your ears tuned to KCR in the coming weeks to hear Heather and Jamie’s coverage on the airwaves, or check back here on our website for deep-dives into the stories that matter most to you!
What is the Local Journalism Initiative?
The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program designed to support the creation of original civic journalism in underserved communities across Canada. In an era where traditional local newspapers and newsrooms are shrinking, the LJI steps in to ensure that communities retain access to high-quality, professional, and independent local news.
Heather Austin
(she/they) is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and issues in the region. Her educational background is in sociology, a discipline that naturally complements work in community journalism. She returned to Nelson a few years ago from her hometown of St. John’s, two places she adores for their quirky culture and unrivalled natural beauty.
A Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Heather has worked in community outreach, advocacy, and the arts through the non-profit sector. She has also taught anthropology and outreach skills courses at Selkirk College.
Heather is thrilled to contribute to Kootenay Co-op Radio’s unique blend of culturally rich programming and community-oriented journalism.
Jaime Frederick
J is a firm believer that independent journalism is one of the cornerstones of a healthy democracy. He cut his teeth in campus-community radio at CJSW 90.9 FM in Calgary (many years ago now) and has since worked in community media and communications with federal NGOs, local non-profits and co-operatives, and in government. He’s lived in Nelson since 2010 and, in that time, has held various roles with the Kootenay Boundary Division of Family Practice, Kootenay Co-op, MP Wayne Stetski and the Nelson Nordic Ski Club. Recently, he co-founded the Building Left Podcast with Kallee Lins, in which they explore the future of democratic socialism in Canada and what’s next for the federal NDP. He sees his role with Kootenay Co-op Radio as a kind of homecoming and is proud to serve the communities in the station’s broadcast area as a journalist.
