From the outset, Local News Pasadena promised to tell original, local stories in the making and our journalists really delivered this year.
Did we write about what car crashed into which streetlight pole on Lake Avenue, or regurgitate City Hall press releases?
Nah, that’s not our thing.
Instead, our correspondents reported in depth on 288 topics ranging from Pasadena Police Department militarization to coaching high school boxers to how a rocker dad and his autistic son bonded over model trains.
We investigated two ill-considered proposals involving property in the local foothills and went behind the scenes at multiple theatrical performances.
And we discovered the best locally grown marmalade and where it’s sold.
As a 2024 recap, we thought it was a good idea to ask our correspondents what stories they wrote made the most impact on them as journalists.
When asked to explain why she selected her articles, award-winning features correspondent Victoria Thomas said, “What I love about this job, apart from the awesome pay and occasional tuna fish sandwich, is the people I encounter in the work of being a reporter. Their stories are challenging, puzzling, surprising, even amazing.”
Emmy winner Casey Coss explained, “As an openly gay man, I’ve always been interested in learning more and gaining insight into what it’s been like, through history, to be homosexual in America. Iconic American imagery, specially in art, seemed an original and fascinating angle. I thought it was personal interest, yet I am immensely flattered by the incredible positive response from readers.”
Another Coss article compared gun safety with aviation safety, and he had this to say, “Aviation has been a family tradition for multiple generations; father, uncle, sister, cousins and me. Gun violence in our country is a constant concern. From my experience with the FAA and its strict regulations, I wondered why the government is unwilling to regulate gun-ownership with the care and concern we apply to flying.”
Correspondent and Poet Laureate Robert Savino Oventile said he selected a feature article over one of his poems about Pasadena because, “My article on the Huntington Library exhibit Storm Cloud: Picturing the Origins of Our Climate Crisis is my favorite piece of those I completed this year. The exhibit combines several of my ongoing interests: poetry, science, and ecology.”
Canine expert and local history buff Jane Brackman knows what she knows. “They say, ‘Write what you know.’ I know a little about a lot, and a whole lot about two little topics – the history of canine domestication and Altadena history. I¹m pleased to share that knowledge with the community,” she says.
Publisher Sheryl Turner selected four 2024 articles she’s most proud of, and provided rationale for each. “How can you say an obituary was one of your favorites? Because it was of my hero dad,” said Turner.
“‘Sailing’ with yacht rocker Christopher Cross at an intimate concert was a retro throwback to happier times,” she said.
Turner’s wide-ranging coverage of political candidates elicited this comment, “It may have been a bad idea to spend a hot day in the sun shadowing US Congressional candidate Alex Balekian, but a deep dive into his campaign was a unique experience.”
And finally, Turner turned her attention to a group of Greater Pasadena’s most iconic residents, writing, “It felt good to point out that the Rose Queen and Court need a raise, especially with the scholarship discrepancies between beauty queens vs. football players.”
Without further ado, here are the stories that our correspondents feel represent some of their most provocative work from 2024.
The Making of Champions
Young boxers discover their potential in the ring.
Drayke’s Tale
Rocker father and his autistic son bond over model trains.
Three Faces of Entrepreneurship
The Transformer, The Illuminator and The Visionary.
Kain Ka, Kain Tayo! In other words, ‘Let’s eat!’
Finding common ground in the Filipino kitchen.
Trouble in Tovaangar
Exclusive Report
A Local Police Force Prepares for War. The Question is: With Whom?
California law puts police military equipment use under a spotlight.
National Monument Expanded with Minimal Funding, Same Landlord
Not much to spend, and some goes to a questionable transit project.
We Funded the Central Library Rebuild, but What About THOSE Books?
Project 2025 has a lot to say about criminalizing librarians.
Ecological Awareness, from Local to Planetary
The Huntington Library Exhibit “Storm Cloud” Stages a Consciousness Shift.
What if the Demand for Gun Safety was the Same as for Aviation Safety?
Aviation learned plenty about regulating safety, because it had to.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Decoding Homoerotic and Queer Art
Secret gay codes in iconic, world-renowned works of art.
Many Vets Never Wanted to Talk About Their Service, My Dad Included
Veterans are heroes, whether they fought in combat or not.
‘Sailing’ With Yacht Rocker Christopher Cross
Music award-winner raises funds for Pacific Jazz Orchestra.
Spending a Hot Day with Alex Balekian on a Quest for Adam Schiff’s Seat
We walk with the underdog GOP candidate in CA-30.
The Rose Queen and Court Need a Raise
The scholarship rate hasn’t changed since 2019.
LACO’s Chameleon-Like Adaptability
Violin virtuoso Margaret Batjer reveals how a small-ish orchestra delivers big performances.
Guide Dogs Among Us
It’s not for every pup. Half the trainees wash out.
Altadena’s Long History with the Tournament of Roses
Local stories woven into the fabric of the national narrative.
A Shared Fight for Cancer Survival
Human and dog cancers’ similarities may point the way to saving lives at both ends of the leash.
