ICYMI: Boomtown's 2024 recap
In case you missed it, here is a recap of our top stories in 2024.
Dear loyal readers,
In our first year, Boomtown published nearly 40 stories delving into the issues facing Los Alamos, including long-form investigations, interviews with prominent community leaders, in-depth reporting on emerging stories, and more. Keep scrolling to see the list of our most popular stories from 2024.
But first*, we wanted you to know that time is ticking for our matching donation campaign with New Mexico Local News Fund and New Mexico Press Forward Foundation. For the remainder of this month, they'll contribute two dollars for every one you donate. Your gift to Boomtown, no matter how small or large, will make triple the impact and go directly to supporting our efforts to build a stronger and more-informed community.
(* = we can’t wait for this fundraising campaign to be over, too.)
The 2024 Boomtown roundup:
The experience of housing insecurity
Shibli’s two dogs don’t know they are homeless, but their owner does, and he is trying to get his “family” through a third hard winter in a broken-down car in a Los Alamos parking lot. “People have it pretty good who can live indoors,” he says, as one of his dogs climbs on the picnic table and finishes Shibli’s lunch.
"We've got to get a couple of major wins"
Boomtown sat down with Patrick Sullivan, the general manager of Central Park Square, to discuss the challenges of being a commercial property manager.
“A lot of parents are not aware at all”
“I would be worried if I had a child in Los Alamos, quite frankly. I’d be scared for them,” says one young Los Alamos resident, who is currently in treatment for substance use disorder.
Road to zero
How many traffic fatalities are acceptable in Los Alamos? Two deaths in seven months — including the recent loss of Dr. Charles McMillan, former director of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), in a two-vehicle collision — have reignited concerns about traffic safety and the apparent lack of effective measures to prevent such tragedies.
"Enforcement is a part of it, but not the solution to it"
Boomtown joined Los Alamos Police Department for a first-hand look at traffic enforcement during the morning commute to Los Alamos.
We also introduced:
“Boomsplainers” (“Boomtown Explainer”) — articles intended to simplify timely local issues.
Guest essays that bring thoughtful perspectives on topics that impact our community.
Boomgov previews of high-impact Los Alamos County Council meetings to make agendas more accessible.