The premiere of "The 50: Voices of a Nation," an hour-long television special produced by CAN-TV in partnership with The Fulcrum and Latino News Network, presents a comprehensive look at American democracy through community experiences. Hosted by Hugo Balta, Executive Editor of The Fulcrum and Publisher of the Latino News Network, the program is part of a four-year national reporting initiative examining how Americans lived under the Trump administration and what motivated voters in the 2024 election.
The series explores a central question of what drove voters to the ballot box and how the administration responded to their hopes, fears, and demands. "This special is more than a broadcast — it's a journey into the heart of America," said Balta. "By listening to communities from coast to coast, we uncover how democracy is lived every day: through resilience, through struggle, and through the voices that demand to be heard."
Already published episodes reveal diverse challenges across states. In Rhode Island, families highlight strains on education and social services. Teacher Shannon Gormley expressed concern about students' access to free lunch and special education support through individual education plans. "Nervous. My students come to me and say, 'Miss, are we still going to be able to have free lunch?' I think about our students who are in special education, and how the Department of Ed really helps our students in terms of individual education plans. So, for me, I guess the word would be nervous, worry," Gormley said.
In Iowa, Latino-majority communities confront immigration enforcement while organizing for civic power. Elena Casillas Hoffman, Communication Specialists with Iowa MMJ, described the impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence: "The reality is that ICE is in Iowa, but the tactics that they're using, the level which they're in our community, the fear that they have, the weaponized fear that they are able to utilize…it's all things that we are continuing to work with our communities right now."
Additional episodes examine rural towns facing deportation raids, cities reimagining public safety, and immigrant workers organizing for civic participation. These stories collectively provide a rare perspective on democracy as experienced daily by Americans. The program originally aired on December 18 at 7 p.m. CST on CAN-TV Channel 19 in Chicago and remains available for streaming at https://www.cantv.org/the50.
The documentary initiative chronicles motivations, struggles, and civic engagement across all 50 states through on-the-ground reporting that amplifies grassroots movements and community leaders. This examination of democracy's functioning at the community level offers insights into the forces shaping American political participation and policy responses to constituent concerns.
