When you publish nearly 1,000 stories over the course of a year, it’s hard to remember all of them. So when we tabulated Volume One’s most popular online content of 2024, there were a few surprises.
Naturally, some of the Top 10 were easily predictable, either because they involved big local news (hospital closures, for example) or involved ever-popular topics (Chippewa Vallians absolutely love to read about new restaurants). Others – like a unexpectedly popular column about motorcycling – were apparently click magnets, too.
Without further ado, here are Volume One’s Top 10 Stories of 2024, presented in ascending order.
Some of the many choices at Phoenix Taproom. (Photo by Andrea Paulseth)
10. With 72 Taps, Midwest’s Largest Self-Pour Taproom Opens in Eau Claire
Wisconsinites love beer a lot, so it’s only natural they would love lots of beer. This June 28 article previewed the opening of the Phoenix Taproom and Kitchen.
HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. (Photo by Andrea Paulseth)
9. HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, Prevea Health to Close Chippewa Valley Locations
The first big local story of 2024 – the announcement that Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals would be closed – shocked the Chippewa Valley and will impact the region for years to come.
Chippewa Falls' once – and future? – root beer stand. (Photo by Parker Reed)
8. LOVE, TEARS, & ROOT BEERS: Fish Family Continues Efforts to Open Dave’s Drive-In
This update on a family’s ongoing effort to revive a long-shuttered Chippewa Falls root beer stand grabbed readers’ attention in January.
Lights in the Valley creators Tim McManus and Brian Chaput. (Submitted photo)
7. Massive New ‘Lights in the Valley’ Show Set to Dazzle Visitors
This preview article about a huge Christmas light display making its debut took a turn in the spotlight back in November.
Bon Iver performs at a Kamala Harris campaign rally. (Photo by Ma Vue)
6. UPDATE: Bon Iver Will Perform at Kamala Harris/Tim Walz Rally in E.C. Wednesday
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign stop in Eau Claire was big political news, but Bon Iver’s performance at the rally was even more interesting to our readers – at least judging by our web traffic.
Fried chicken, a la Raising Canes. (Submitted photo)
5. EARLY BIRD: E.C. Raising Cane’s to Open By End of Year
No need to cry fowl: Eau Claire diners flock to new restaurants, and readers weren’t chicken about clucking – erm, clicking – on this story back in June.
Eau Claire joined the hot pot trend in 2024. (Photo by Andrea Paulseth)
4. HOT POT TIMES TWO: Hot Pot Eateries to Open in Eau Claire
And speaking of new eateries, Volume One’s online audience was hungry to read about the two planned hot pot restaurants in town (one of which has yet to open).
Keith Edwards at the WQOW anchor desk. (Photo by Andrea Paulseth)
3. Edwards, Other News Staffers Out at WQOW
Sometimes the people who present the news become the news, and that was the case in early December when local legend Keith Edwards and some of his colleagues were unceremoniously laid off from WQOW-TV.
Writer Darrell Broten and his 2003 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Road King. (Submitted photo)
2. When a Motorcyclist Loses His Bearings
Harley enthusiast Darrell Broten’s column about his adventures on the road – and in the shop – drew a roaring response from readers who live to ride and ride to live.
Leinenkugel's historic Chippewa Falls brewery. (File photo)
1. After 157 Years, Chippewa Falls’ Leinenkugel’s Brewery is Closing
This year’s list ends as it begins: with beer. Unfortunately, in this case the No. 1 story was about the announcement that Leinenkugel’s corporate parent was closing the brewery that has been a mainstay in Chippewa Falls for more than a century and a half. Our hope this New Year is that the most popular headline of 2025 will be more positive.
