On March 12, hundreds of Chippewa Valley residents gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Eau Claire for a Defend Democracy rally — one of the largest public demonstrations the city had seen in years.

The message cut across party lines: the institutions that protect everyday Americans — independent courts, a free press, the right to be heard — are worth defending. Speakers called on neighbors to stay engaged, stay visible, and keep showing up.

Coverage from WQOW, WEAU, and Volume One brought the story across the region. For CVI, still less than two months old, it was proof that the Chippewa Valley was ready to be heard.