Members of the Post news team gathered Wednesday for a group photo celebrating their State and National Journalism Awards, from left, Sportswriter/Broadcaster Mike Cote, Photographer John McHale, Advertising Manager KayLinda Crawford, Copy Editor Clara Clark, Publisher Carol A. Clark, Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann, Government Reporter Kirsten Laskey, Lifestyles Editor & Art Director Bonnie J. Gordon, Newspaper Distribution Coordinator Delbert Romero and Photographer/Videographer Nate Limback. Not pictured, Social Media Editor Chris Clark, Broadcaster Gene Mortensen, Photographer Jenn Bartram and Bookkeeper Chip Clark. Zoom photo/Nate Limback
By CAROL A. CLARK
Publisher
Los Alamos Daily Post
The first half of 2022 marked several notable accomplishments for the Los Alamos Daily Post. The newspaper celebrated its 10th anniversary in February, was honored with a state journalism award in April and was notified in June of its very first national journalism award.
To be honored at both the state and national level is a testament to the expertise and dedication of the Post news team.
Los Alamos Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann nominated the Post for its news coverage and making a positive impact on local businesses during the pandemic, to the annual New Mexico Press Women (NMPW) competition.
“During the pandemic, small businesses in Los Alamos, like everywhere, struggled to stay open. It was even worse in Los Alamos, as the national lab went to mostly remote work, so there were very few potential customers even in town,” Herrmann said. “The Los Alamos Daily Post worked with the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce to shine a spotlight on local small businesses, through feature stories and advertisements at no charge to the struggling businesses. In the small community of Los Alamos, whether they were Chamber members or not, at least 20 small businesses were assisted by using a combination of both print and online copy, as well as advertisements. Not a single business that was assisted in this way closed permanently during 2021. Many were able to pivot to take-out, online, and delivery offerings and with the help of the Daily Post, they survived.”
This campaign was started out of obvious community need, so there really wasn’t a clearly stated objective in the beginning, other than to just help our small businesses to survive during the pandemic.
“That objective was clearly successful. The Daily Post was uniquely suited to reach the target audience of Los Alamos residents and effectively used their platform of both print and digital media to reach the likely small business supporters,” Herrmann said. “Without the support of Carol and her staff at the Daily Post, many of these small, locally owned businesses would possibly not be here in the community today.”
After honoring the Post with a first place state award, NMPW entered the Post in the 85th Annual National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) competition. The Post received third place in the nation out of more than 2,000 entries submitted from across the United States.
Our National Award was announced Saturday, June 25 during the 2022 NFPW Annual Conference held in Fargo, North Dakota. To be recognized for making a positive impact on our local small businesses makes it all the more meaningful.
Restaurant owner Laura Crucet of the Pig + Fig Café in White Rock congratulated the Post on its awards and spoke about the difficult times businesses endured during the pandemic.
“The pandemic was a trying time for all small business owners – personally, professionally and emotionally,” Crucet said. “Having the support of the Los Alamos Daily Post to boost sales and morale throughout our community from day to day was impactful beyond words.”
Los Alamos businesswoman Shannon Cde Baca owns the building that houses the Post and many other small businesses.
“In Los Alamos COVID hit the fragile business ecosystem hard,” Cde Baca said. “Many businesses had to pivot quickly. As they did the Daily Post gave them free advertising, ran stories on what businesses were doing, new hours, features on those still working. That effort had a huge impact on the businesses I know. Often that support was the single ray of hope a local business needed to push on through some very dark days. They are still doing that good work with features about folks and businesses working around town. When a new business opens, they are always willing to run a feature. That is amazing for a print news outlet. For their support and extraordinary efforts during COVID this award is richly deserved.”
Local artist and Village Arts owner Ken Nebel said, “The Los Alamos Daily Post has always been extremely responsive to the needs of local businesses and proactive in helping to create a community that’s always in the know! The Daily Post is integral to the fabric of this region with a deep understanding of the people it serves, and it has always been a fierce advocate for us especially during the pandemic and road construction when we were struggling most.”
Blue Window Bistro owner Melissa Paternoster and her “whole crew” congratulated the news team saying, “Carol and crew – thank you for all you do for our community and congratulations for your award – you so deserve it!”
Pet Pangaea owner Cyndi Wells shared the following comment, “I really appreciated the Post helping our businesses stay visible when people were staying home during the pandemic,” she said.
Catherine Richmond owns Seeking Chameleon, an eclectic resale store in White Rock. She spoke about her experience with the Post.
“The Los Alamos Daily Post demonstrated the ultimate community support during the difficult time of COVID,” Richmond said. “They provided notices, advertising posts and announcements for our local businesses at no cost, which was a true gift. I give a deep and heartfelt thank you to our local news source, the LA Daily Post.”
So, what’s next for the Post? We have our eye on an International journalism award of course!
About the Los Alamos Daily Post:
The Los Alamos Daily Post (Post) is the Official Newspaper of Record in Los Alamos County. Owned and operated by Carol A. Clark, the newspaper launched online Feb. 7, 2012, and is a member of the National Newspaper Association, Online Newspaper Association, New Mexico Press Association, New Mexico Press Women and National Federation of Press Women.
The Post began publishing a weekly print edition in July 2015, which is delivered to every home and business in Los Alamos and White Rock and distributed through news racks strategically placed around the County. Readership has expanded into every state in the nation and 129 countries around the world.
The paper achieved more than 1 million monthly page views in 2015. The news team works in collaboration with citizens throughout the community, from its “World Headquarters” at 1247 Central Ave., in downtown Los Alamos.
The paper’s number one goal is to bring readers the best in local news coverage through print, photographs and video.
With its focus on the events occurring throughout Los Alamos and White Rock, the news team reports from the neighborhoods, schools, businesses; financial, cultural and faith-based communities and the science and engineering divisions at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Readers also find the latest news from Los Alamos County, Los Alamos Police and Fire Departments, Los Alamos Public Schools and UNM-Los Alamos.
Clark and her staff are very community minded and serve on local boards. The newspaper also sponsors, supports and contributes to local events and nonprofit fund drives.