LOCAL LEGEND STATUS, CONFIRMED. Judy Clark, pictured second from the right,  has been a trusted, familiar face in Chippewa Valley media for over 30 years. Cementing her local celebrity further, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association named Clark a 2024 Local Broadcast Legend award recipient. (Submitted photos)

Another longtime Chippewa Valley media member will receive a significant commemoration from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA). Judy Clark of WEAU 13 News is one of four longtime broadcasters named as a 2024 Local Broadcast Legend; she will be honored June 19 at the 2025 WBA Summer Conference in La Crosse.

Clark said she was surprised to learn she would be receiving this award. “I thought about one of the first reporting awards I received from the WBA, way back in 1990," she said. "It was for a Christmas story I did when I worked at WAXX/WAYY radio. I was so proud to get that award, because it showed me that just maybe I had what it takes to be a reporter.”

According to the organization, the award “recognizes individuals who work behind the scenes and within their communities fulfilling the commitment broadcasters have made to serve their local communities. They exemplify localism.” Clark, who said she holds much respect for the WBA and what it offers fellow journalists, is proud of that objective.

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I LOVE THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY AND THIS COMMUNITY.

This is my home, and always has been, so I not only have a real investment in it, but I also really care about what happens here.

JUDY CLARK

'LOCAL BROADCAST LEGEND' AWARD RECIPIENT

Holding local officials accountable and giving voice to area people is another critical element provided by such news gatherers, Clark continued. “As local broadcasters and journalists, we have a big responsibility to our communities to keep them informed, but especially to make sure the information is verified and accurate.”

With over 35 years of experience in Eau Claire-area broadcasting, Clark considers local journalism  essential to thriving communities, as national and state outlets cannot capture regional specifics.  “They don’t live here, we do," she said.

The heavy hitter herself, playing for the WEAU softball game around 2010. What can't she do?

Clark, a born-and-raised Chippewa Vallian, graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School before earning her communications degree at UW-Eau Claire. After beginning her broadcast career in radio as a reporter and anchor for WAXX/WAYY in Eau Claire, she transitioned to WEAU-TV in 1990, working as a general assignment reporter. Today, she is an anchor and producer for WEAU for the noon, 4pm, and 5pm shows.

“It feels good to know that all those years in local broadcasting are appreciated and valued," Clark said.

WBA considers individuals with 15-plus years of Wisconsin broadcasting experience for the Local Broadcast Legend award. This June, Clark will be honored alongside Madison's Pat O'Neill (radio), Madison's John Stofflet (TV), and Racine's Gary Suhr (radio).

Clark will join Eau Claire-based broadcasters Peter Murphy, Terry West, and John Murphy, who have also received the WBA Local Broadcast Legend award since the honor was established in 2015.

“I love the Chippewa Valley and this community," Clark said. "This is my home, and always has been, so I not only have a real investment in it, but I also really care about what happens here.”

Judy Clark, right, pictured with John Hoffland, left. Hoffland, an Associated Press Carol Brewer Award winner and Wisconsin Broadcaster's Hall of Fame inductee, was part of the WEAU team for a total of 25 years and was news director for a number of them.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association online. Keep up with Judy Clark and the WEAU 13 News team on television and online.