Boomtown - Stories of a Changing Los Alamos
Since its founding in 2023, Boomtown has become the trusted source of news and information for the citizens of Los Alamos County. We cover issues of high interest and consequence to our community through our objective, in-depth reporting. We are locally owned and subscriber-supported, which ensures we are free from outside influence.
We’re committed to independence and transparency, as described in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.
Please send any feedback, corrections, or news tips to editors@boomtownlosalamos.org. We do not publish unsolicited articles, letters, or opinion pieces.
Meet The Boomteam
Minesh Bacrania cofounded Boomtown in 2023 as a way to ensure Los Alamos citizens stayed informed about the complex and nuanced issues shaping the community. He has lived in Los Alamos for the past 20 years, and after a decade-long career as an experimental nuclear physicist, he built a second career as an editorial and documentary portrait photographer with deep roots in New Mexico and the Southwest. Today he brings his expertise in storytelling and commitment to journalism in every assignment.
Senior Editor Ryan Lowery is an award-winning investigative reporter with deep connections to the New Mexico journalism community. His work has been published by the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, Source New Mexico, the Las Vegas Optic, and many others. He’s the recipient of the Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government and the Sunshine Award from the New Mexico Press Association for his reporting that highlighted lack of transparency from multiple government agencies.
Megan Hesselink has more than a decade of experience as a marketing professional for a diverse array of organizations including Cabela’s, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She moved with her family to Los Alamos in 2019 and is responsible for leading Boomtown’s business development and marketing efforts.
After working for nearly 20 years at the intersection of health-equity promotion and community planning around the United States, Emily Piltch returned to her hometown of Los Alamos in 2020. Emily’s experience with social systems analysis and her critical understanding of the challenges that affect citizens and communities play an important role in Boomtown’s story research and development.
Community Engagement Editor Becca Louden draws on her background in customer service, administration, and small business ownership to connect readers with local news. At Boomtown, she focuses on building community relationships and making journalism accessible and engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boomtown?
Boomtown is a locally owned, independent news organization serving Los Alamos County. Founded in 2023, we focus on objective, in-depth reporting on issues of high importance and consequence to our community.
Why does Boomtown exist?
Boomtown was created to provide Los Alamos County with reliable local journalism that is accountable to readers. Strong local news helps communities make informed decisions and hold institutions accountable.
How is Boomtown funded?
Boomtown is funded by reader membership. We have also received grant support from the New Mexico Local News Fund and Press Forward NM, which helped us launch and grow over our first two years. We have a paywall in place for members-only access of our reporting in order to sustain our publication in the future.
What does it mean that Boomtown is “independent”?
For Boomtown, being independent means our reporting is not influenced by advertisers, political groups, corporations, donors, or outside interests. Editorial decisions are made by our newsroom, guided only by facts, ethics, and what matters to the people of Los Alamos County.
When did the paywall go into effect?
On our second birthday, in November of 2025, we activated the paywall to encourage memberships.
How much does a membership cost?
$12 per month or $120 per year billed annually. (It’s roughly the cost of one green chile cheeseburger per month)
What if I can’t afford a membership?
We understand not everyone can pay. We encourage readers who are able to chip in to do so, but if someone can’t afford to pay for any reason at all, just email us and we’ll get you a free membership.
How do I become a member?
You can sign up for a paid membership on Substack to gain full access to all Boomtown stories and archives by visiting this link.
What does my membership support?
Your membership directly supports local reporting in Los Alamos County. Nearly every dollar goes toward paying our journalists and interns, as well as covering basic costs of publishing a local news outlet.
Why can’t Boomtown just rely on grants?
Grants have been essential to helping Boomtown get started, but they are not a permanent or reliable source of funding. Reader support is the most sustainable and predictable way to ensure Boomtown can continue operating and growing as an independent local business.
What kind of reporting does Boomtown do?
We cover local government, public safety, transportation, schools, housing and other issues that directly affect daily life in Los Alamos. Our reporting is guided by accuracy, fairness and depth. You’ll never catch us regurgitating a press release from the county or slopping meeting minutes up for folks to read through themselves. We do the hard work so you don’t have to.
What ethical standards does Boomtown follow?
Boomtown follows the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, emphasizing independence, transparency, accuracy and accountability.
What’s your AI policy?
Local journalism depends on judgment, context, accountability, and trust. We believe reporting should be done by people who live in, understand, and are accountable to the community they cover. AI tools cannot attend public meetings, ask follow-up questions, build sources, or take responsibility for errors. Simply put: We do not use AI to do write our articles.
Why should I support Boomtown?
Local journalism is a public good. Your support helps ensure Los Alamos continues to have a trusted, independent news source focused entirely on this community.
