Several members of the Los Alamos Daily Post news team gathered Tuesday for a photo, front row from left, Lifestyles Editor & Art Director Bonnie J. Gordon, Advertising Manager KayLinda Crawford, Sports Broadcaster Gene Mortensen and Photographer John McHale. Back row from left, Photographer Jenn Bartram, Publisher/Editor Carol A. Clark and Government Reporter Kirsten Laskey. Not pictured, Social Media Editor Christopher Clark, Sportswriter/Announcer Mike Cote, Photographer/Videographer Nate Limback, Sportswriter George Morse, Copy Editor Clara Clark and Newspaper Distribution Coordinator Delbert Romero. Courtesy photo
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
- It is our privilege to bring our readers the news every day – 365 days a year!
It doesn’t seem quite possible, but the Los Alamos Daily Post newspaper really is turning 10 years old. The newspaper launched at 8 a.m. Feb. 7, 2012, from my home in White Rock.
While the communitywide celebration we had planned to mark this special occasion has been placed on hold until the pandemic subsides, we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the multitude of people who have made this milestone possible.
One of the most wonderful aspects of this community is how it has developed a sense of ownership of the Post. If they don’t see us at their event, people often take photos and send us write-ups and that is something we really appreciate.
To our loyal readers at home, across the country and around the world (129 countries at last count), we love sharing the news with you every day of the year. To our many advertisers – we could not do what we do without you, and we are grateful. And to our columnists and community photographers who add so much to the variety of content in our newspaper … our readers appreciate you and so do we.
On a personal note, I would like to also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Post news team. Each of you is a vital link in what makes this newspaper so special. Your integrity, talent and passion for your craft make me very proud.
Through the years as we celebrate our anniversaries, local and state officials send us congratulatory comments, of which we are grateful.
We received several again this year:
National Newspaper Association Executive Director Lynne Lance: “The National Newspaper Association is excited to congratulate Carol Clark and the Los Alamos Daily Post on their 10-year anniversary. NNA represents community newspapers across the country and the Los Alamos Daily Post is a perfect example of a local newspaper living and breathing community. The citizens of Los Alamos County should count themselves lucky to have such a champion news source. Here’s to many more years and thank you for setting an example with your dedication and service to community.”
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham: Congratulations to the Los Alamos Daily Post on their 10th anniversary! I am grateful for the Daily Post team’s dedicated service to the Los Alamos community – here’s to many more years to come.”
New Mexico Secretary of Education Dr. Kurt Steinhaus: “The Los Alamos Daily Post is a model for all to follow.”
New Mexico Press Association Executive Director Sammy Lopez: “Newspapers are vital to our communities in New Mexico and play an important part in protecting our democracy. My congratulations to the Los Alamos Daily Post on its 10-year anniversary.”
Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne: “Congratulations to the Los Alamos Daily Post on its 10-year anniversary! This is a notable accomplishment for a relatively new news organization. Your commitment and contributions to the community are very much appreciated. I wish you well and hope for at least another 10 successful years serving Los Alamos.”
LACDC Board Chair Jim Hall: “In my opinion the Los Alamos Daily Post has been a remarkably successful experiment in local journalism and represents a model for other communities. Carol and her staff have blazed a trail now being followed by many others. Congratulations to Carol and her staff.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda: “Longtime FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover said: ‘The most effective weapon against crime is cooperation…The efforts of all law enforcement agencies with the support and understanding of the American people.’ An informed public working with police is a criminal’s worst nightmare. Community newspapers like the Los Alamos Daily Post give Americans the facts they need to stay safe while helping us solve crimes. They are an important public safety partner. On behalf of the Albuquerque FBI Division, I offer my congratulations to the Daily Post on your 10th anniversary. Thank you for your dedication to the welfare of your community.”
Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Ryn Herrmann: “Thank you to Carol Clark and her amazing staff for 10 great years of news coverage! As important as state, national and international news is, the LADP is a great reminder that some of the most important news is community news. Happy 10th Anniversary to the Los Alamos Daily Post!”
Staff Comments:
Bonnie Gordon
Post Lifestyles Editor and Art Director Bonnie J. Gordon recalled how she first joined the Post.
“In 2011 when Carol told me she was starting a newspaper, I blurted out, ‘I’m in!’ And I’ve loved every day of the adventure that is the Los Alamos Daily Post since that day. I especially love my wonderful co-workers. For all of us, this is a calling, not just a job.”
She and I began working at night and weekends for about a year along with friends Greg and Karen Kendall, Kirsten Laskey and others to set the foundation for the Post.
Kirsten Laskey
Laskey officially joined the team five years ago and spoke about why it is a joy to work for the Post.
“The Los Alamos Daily Post is a family, and our office feels like home. Not only do we all share a desire to provide the very best news coverage, but we all work together to make sure that happens. Having camaraderie amongst fantastic people is something I always wished for in every job I worked and to finally get that feels miraculous!”
Jenn Bartram:
Photographer Jenn Bartram has been with the Post for about four years.
“When I tell people around the community that I work for the Post I can see the respect they have for the paper,” she said. “I love working for Carol who is so moral and ethical, and I am really proud to be a part of this incredible news team.”
KayLinda Crawford
Post Advertising Manager KayLinda Crawford joined the team about four years ago.
“I like working at the Los Alamos Daily Post newspaper because of the integrity, the sincere efforts for accuracy and representing all sides and voices,” she said. “The newspaper is truly a community service. Carol has never charged anyone to read the news whether it’s online or in print and I know it’s read by many people of all ages every day.”
Congratulatory comments through the years:
LANL Director Thom Mason: “Happy (7th) Birthday! It’s great to have a vibrant local media that can tell the stories of our community. Whether it is spreading the word about how the Los Alamos community has helped ensure our nation’s security for over 75 years or highlighting all the people and places that make Los Alamos special, we at LANL appreciate the work the Daily Post’s staff has done over the past seven years.”
Former LANL Director Terry Wallace: “Congratulations to the Los Alamos Daily Post – 6 years serving our community! The Daily Post recognized the changes in the way the news was getting delivered and consumed, and the Daily Post has reached the community in a way that is both real-time and informative. Every town needs a Daily Post.”
Police Chief Dino Sgambellone: I think what Carol did was courageous and I commend her for showing the initiative. Her success serves as a great role model for young women in our community.
Fire Chief Troy Hughes: My first introduction to Carol was when I interviewed for the Fire Chief’s position in 2011. I knew I liked her from my first meeting and was sure I liked her after I read her article that talked about how great I was as a candidate for Fire Chief. Let’s say my competitor for the position didn’t fare so well in Carol’s article. Not long after I got the job and moved to Los Alamos, Carol decided to move away from the Monitor and start her own paper. I was invited to a dinner, hosted by Steve Girrens and Sharon Stover, to wish Carol well in her new adventure. I obviously wished her well and wanted her to succeed but was worried about her. This was a big and scary adventure with no guarantee. My wife Jodi and I even talked after the dinner and decided that if she couldn’t make it, we would be able to offer her a spare bedroom until she could get back on her feet. Now we all know she didn’t fail and has exceeded everyone’s expectations! She is an inspiration for others to “go for it!” I am proud of Carol and honored to call her my friend. I am also excited to see what she will do next to further expand the reach of the Post.
UNM-LA CEO Dr. Cindy Rooney: Congratulations to Carol Clark and the entire team at the Daily Post on your 5-year anniversary! We appreciate the important role the Daily Post provides in publishing information about our community. The immediacy of online information and photos, with the addition of a weekly print edition, provides a great service to Los Alamos and the Daily Post followers around the world. Thank you and best wishes.”
A bit of history:
The Los Alamos Daily Post is the Official Newspaper of Record in Los Alamos County. The newspaper is a member of the National Newspaper Association, the Online Newspaper Association and the New Mexico Press Association.
The Los Alamos Daily Post has expanded its readership 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 Avenue 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 is reporting from the neighborhoods, schools, businesses; financial, cultural and faith-based communities and the science and engineering divisions at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Readers also will find the latest news from Los Alamos County, Los Alamos Police and Fire Departments, Los Alamos Public Schools and UNM-Los Alamos.
Expansion
The Los Alamos Daily Post began publishing its 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.
Achievements
The Los Alamos Daily Post was found to be the community’s “number one online news source” by respondents to an independent survey conducted by Los Alamos County in 2013.
The Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation named the Los Alamos Daily Post its “Success Client of the Year” in 2013.
The Small Business Development Center named the Los Alamos Daily Post the “Small Business of the Year” in 2014. The Los Alamos Daily Post was recognized for that honor on the floor of the New Mexico Legislature and by the Los Alamos County Council.
The Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce named the Los Alamos Daily Post the Media Outlet of the Year in 2017.
Comments from readers through the years:
“As a 32-year resident of Los Alamos I just want to say thank you for your site. It is the best source of information that I have ever had available living here and just wanted to say thanks.” –Toby Haag
“It seems everyone I talk to reads the Post.” –Dorothy Hoard
“I want to congratulate the Daily Post for publishing such a noteworthy paper. I wouldn’t miss a single issue.” –Bette Leland
“Great news coverage.” –Bill Enloe
“I love the Los Alamos Daily Post!” –Michelle Stump
“Everything we want to know about our community – every day.” –Katy Korkos
“This may well be the future of journalism: hyper-local.” –Nanette Asimov, staff writer at San Francisco Chronicle, niece of Isaac Asimov
“Brilliant! All the happenings and news we REALLY want to know … without the fluff!” –Samantha Robinson
“Carol, this is one of the best things to happen in Los Alamos in a long time.” –Jeanne Hurford
“As a former New Mexican, and having been raised in Los Alamos, I want to thank those responsible for The Daily Post as it is a super publication that far outpaces [other regional news sources.] It is a wonderful way to keep posted on Los Alamos, and the many well-known individuals that I am now becoming aware of their passing. As a high school graduate of LAHS, Class of 1955, Thank you.” –Dimas Chavez