autumn's blog

Project Principals

Autumn Labbé-Renault (she/her) began her career as a newspaper reporter and editor; worked in development and public affairs/policy for Planned Parenthood, and has spent the past 20+ years using media tools to build capacity and community in Yolo County. She’s served as DMA’s ED since 2007.

"Open Country' screening to benefit KDRT

What: 'Open Country' film debuts in Davis benefits KDRT

When: 3/10/24

Where: Davis Odd Fellows Hall, 415 Second St., Davis

Tickets online or at the door

Davis residents Glenda and Jesse Drew recently completed a documentary film on the history and politics of country music, an effort that's been a labor of love for the couple for many years. It is a gift, they say, to "community organizations, down-home music venues, alternative film spaces, union halls, and grassroots projects, as a means to spread the word and to help generate some funds and resources to continue doing the good work you do."

Yolo election results: So far, Davis schools tax is winning by a few dozen votes

By Bill Buchanan for Davis Media Access

Posted 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6

Measure N, the latest school parcel tax to go before Davis school district voters, is winning — but not by much.

The results won’t be final until the Yolo Elections Office counts all ballots, including ones that voters mailed on or before March 5 but don’t arrive for a few days after. The office explains the process in “Why it can take time to certify an election.”

As of this morning (March 6), the measure to impose a $768 tax per parcel of property in the Davis Joint Unified School District has received 7,194 yes votes, or 66.91 percent of the total counted so far, against 3,557 no votes, or 33.09 percent.

The measure needs two-thirds approval to pass, and has cleared that hurdle by less than one-third of 1 percent so far. For now, that margin of victory works out to about three dozen votes.

In other words, the outcome is too close to call as of March 6. Measure N supporters quoted in a story today by Monica Stark of the Davis Enterprise were hopeful. A story by David Greenwald in the Davis Vanguard called it a nailbiter.

Other Yolo results

Candidate, position statements available

Each election season, DMA produces candidate and position statements for contested local races. This season's lineup includes 17 candidates running for: Congressional 4th, Senate 3rd; Yolo County Supervisor Districts 3,4,5; Superior Court Judge Dept 14; and position statements for Measure N in Davis. DMA's coverage is nonpartisan and a free service for candidates and the community; we take no position and make no endorsements. https://dctv.davismedia.org/collections/election

Amplifying Nonprofits' Work: I-80 Teach In

Few nonprofits have a media arm, so it makes sense that many in Yolo County turn to Davis Media Access (DMA) for help in documenting important community events. Helping others amplify their work is a big part of our work! We were happy to assist the Davis Futures Forum (a project of Cool Davis) with its  I-80 Teach-In on Dec. 7.  #nonprofits #DavisCA  #climateaction #communitymedia

Davis Picks It Up "In the Studio"

DMA Intern Kristin Trent interviews Cathie Bullis, co-founder of Davis Picks It Up (DPIU), a local non-profit that eliminates litter locally to prevent impacts on land and ocean ecosystems. Bullis discusses the litter-to-ocean pipeline, crime solving on the job, found treasures, and her favorite things about DPIU.

For more information email davispicksitup@gmail.com. Youc an watch the episode here

 

KDRT & youth both come of age at DMA

On Sept. 24, KDRT 95.7FM — the radio station based here at community media center Davis Media Access — turned 19.

DMA was the first public-access community media center in the nation to launch a Low-Power FM (LPFM) station. Since then, many have followed, and just recently the Federal Communications Commission opened a rare window for applications to open frequencies on this non-commercial educational radio spectrum.

DMA’s Jeff Shaw was recently a featured speaker at a regional meeting for potential applicants put on by the Alliance for Community Media.  Since KDRT was started during the first licensing period, Jeff is often called upon to offer a long-term perspective on many topics involving the facets of operating an all-volunteer community LPFM radio station.

From its inception, KDRT has been more than a low-power community station, more than a project of DMA, and more than a place to just play music or talk. It’s been a volunteer-fueled community, one that connects to our larger community both by running live broadcasts from community events, and each and every week in front of the mics and the sound board in the KDRT studio.

Gratitude to Our Supporters 2023-24

Each year, Davis Media Access (DMA) appeals to our community for support for our programs and services. Direct support helps us provide local election coverage, support youth media training and mentoring, and provide critical operating support for KDRT.

For the period beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, we are grateful to the following supporters:

$1,000 and above

Craig & Darien Blomberg

Heidi & Brian Laurenson, Via a Car Donation

Karen Leyse

Julie A. Young, In support of KDRT

Anonymous, In support of civic engagement work

$250-$999

Alison Borkowska

Clyde Bowman

Rich Bradley

Robin Datel, In Memory of Bob & Dorie Datel

Nancy Flagg

Frank Fox

Sharon Hale & Dawn Student

John & Katherine Hess

Interview2Work/Lorraine Beaman

Jessica Kelly, Via American Giving Fund Volunteer Match

Abby & P.T. Koenig

Lorenzo Kristov & Robin Kozloff

Timothy Kuhn Via a Car Donation

Brandon Milton

Pieter & Jeanne Pastoor

Peter Peterson

jesikah maria ross

Don & Julie Saylor

John Stegall

Katie Tenerelli

Brian & Karen Vikstrom

Bill Wagman In Memory of Peter Schiffman

Tim Williamson In Honor of A Twang Thang

Cullen Wise, Via a Car Donation

Our Ask for Big Day of Giving Support

The collective sorrow and fear in our community is very real, and it comes at a moment when Yolo County #nonprofits are reaching out in a big way to raise needed funds on the Big Day of Giving, Thursday May 4 this year. Today we are asking for support for Davis Media Access as well. 

We love the effort to lift up all Yolo County nonprofits via http://bigdayofgiving.org/yolocounty because it’s deeply aligned with Davis Media Access’s work to #amplify community voices, often at critical times and in unique ways. During the pandemic, we focused those efforts on assisting other community-based organizations to solve technical problems and retain visibility.

This post is our ask for support. Despite all our successes in serving the community while surviving the pandemic, we are confronted with a very significant challenge at this moment in time. A few weeks ago, DMA’s used Toyota van was badly vandalized. This is an essential tool we use to haul equipment, interns, and other volunteers around town as we amplify the voices of community events, causes, and organizations. In fact, we recently wrapped support for the  the City’s Cesar Chavez event; the and recording the Wennberg Festival at the Mondavi and the annual DHS Drama Tribute to Tony Fields. Between now and mid June we’re on tap to cover or provide services at four different high school graduations; Davis Pride Festival; Davis Music Festival; and the e-Learning Lab at Woodland Community College.

Working with DMA’s  board, we have decided to set a big stretch goal of $20,000 for the forthcoming Big Day of Giving. We still need to raise the $10k that is critical to our programs and services AND we’re hoping to raise $10k towards the purchase of a replacement van. We’ve raised close to $5,000 as of today, but have a long way to go.

Big Day of Giving is a moment that can help DMA greatly increase our chances of success, and that will in turn allow us to continue serving our communities in intentional, supportive and meaningful ways. In advance, thank you for your support of #yolocounty #nonprofits on May 4.

SF Press Club honors ‘Davisville,’ ‘Timeout Radio'

KDRT radio programs about marathons, teens bullying their friends, and Davis’ relatively good fortune in coping with California’s drought and wildfires have all won awards for excellence in the 2022 San Francisco Press Club Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards.

The club announced the honors during its annual awards dinner Dec. 8 in Burlingame. Several outlets won multiple awards, ranging from SFGATE, KQED public radio and India Currents to San Francisco Classical Voice, Bloomberg, the San Francisco Chronicle, and El Tecolote. 

Rohan Baxi, a student at Da Vinci Charter Academy High School in Davis, won third place in radio/audio sports features for his December 2021 “Timeout Radio” program, “26.2 miles,”  on marathons.

Bill Buchanan, a longtime Davis journalist and host/producer of “Davisville,” won second and third place among radio/audio public affairs programs (with staffs of 1 to 4) for “Amid drought and frightening wildfires, Davis is relatively fortunate” (September 2021) and New UC Davis research says teens who bully often target their friends” (March 2021).

Volunteer Spotlight : Philanthropy Day Honoree Tim Gaffaney

Philanthropic deeds come in all different shapes and sizes — charitable giving, volunteering, board service, etc.— and each Nov 15, National Philanthropy Day is celebrated in the United States.

Locally, Yolo Community Foundation (YCF) provides an opportunity for area nonprofits to recognize an outstanding volunteer via its Yolo Philanthropy Day Celebration. Our pick this year is Davis resident Tim Gaffaney.

Live on KDRT This Election Night

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to the show here:  https://kdrt.org/audio/november-2022-local-election-show

Live on KDRT from 7:30-9 pm on Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022: Autumn Labbe-Renault and Don Shor check in with candidates & community leaders. Here's the schedule:

7:30   Welcome & overview - Where to listen, what we’ll be talking about, station ID, etc.

7:32   Prerecorded interview with Yolo ACE Jesse Salinas