As we reach the end of the year, Boyle Heights Beat is looking back at the stories that grabbed our readers’ attention most this year.
You read about resources offered in the community, followed our coverage of the Eastside’s biggest sports rivalry, trusted us with election coverage and followed the school controversy over a beloved principal’s removal.
These articles came from our reporters, youth team and community contributors, all with the mission of providing news por y para la comunidad.
Here’s a list of our most-read stories this year.
It’s clear many of our readers rely on us to find community resources. Our post on the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s residential air filtration program was the most popular read this year. The program, open to residents of Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, Eastern Coachella Valley and some areas on the west side of Commerce, was made possible with funds from Assembly Bill 617, a state law passed in 2017 aimed at addressing environmental justice concerns in neighborhoods like these.
Following our story’s publication, the agency informed us it was swarmed with thousands of applications. We love being able to connect you with the resources you need.
If you missed it, you’re still able to apply online if you meet the requirements.
There’s no doubt about it – the rivalry between the Roosevelt and Garfield football teams is legendary, so it’s no surprise that our coverage of the game had thousands of views online. Ahead of the game, we helped you prepare by breaking down everything you needed to know, and gave you an inside look into how the marching band, spirit teams and mariachi groups prepared for their biggest halftime show yet.
But it was the final showdown that drew most of our readers. In October, the Bulldogs triumphed over the Rough Riders at the 89th East L.A. Classic in a thrilling 38-28 victory. Our reporting and social media teams were on the sidelines at SoFi Stadium, bringing you live coverage, photos and videos from the game.
Read more of our East L.A. Classic coverage here.
For many in the neighborhood, the Tom’s Burgers at 320 S. Soto was once a place to gather with friends after school, come together with family or just stop by and grab some fast food to go.
Since the business closed in 2012, the city received multiple reports of encampments inside and outside the structure, as well as a string of fires. Our reporters stayed on the story for months, speaking to neighbors about the impact of the dilapidated structure, and looked up public records to uncover the number of calls made about the property.
The building was demolished last month following a series of Boyle Heights Beat articles drawing attention to a growing problem.
In May, students at Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School led various protests – including a march to City Hall – over the sudden and unexplained removal of Mauro Bautista, the school’s former principal. Our reporters collaborated with our youth team to bring you voices from students, teachers and community members who demanded more transparency from the district. Following our reporting, Bautista himself reached out to us in June to share a heartfelt message to the graduating class of 2024.
After more than a decade of leadership at the school, Bautista resigned in October. The Los Angeles Unified School District did not provide a reason for the removal or resignation and has since named veteran educator Cesar Quezada as the school’s new principal.
Women’s rights advocate Jessica Caloza and justice advocate Franky Carrillo emerged as the top two candidates running to represent a diverse district encompassing most of East Los Angeles and multiple Northeast L.A. neighborhoods. Shortly after initial ballot counts in the general election, the Associated Press declared Jessica Caloza the race’s winner.
Boyle Heights Beat was one of a few newsrooms that followed the race since the primaries and interviewed candidates on their platforms. That’s why, readers flocked to our site when to help them make a decision during the general election.
The holiday season is a time for giving back, and in a community like Boyle Heights, many organizations often come together to help out with resources, fun activities – and yes, free turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving.
These guides and roundups of giveaways and events are part of our effort to make sure our readers are informed about happenings in and around the neighborhood – and with some of the most views on our website, we’re glad to see that many are benefiting from them.
More than three decades after its release, passionate fans of the iconic Eastside film “Blood In Blood Out” had a chance to connect with its makers at a screening of the cult classic. The event coincided with the release of a limited edition book all about the 1993 film, which dove into what it took to craft the story of three young Chicano family members struggling to navigate life in East L.A.
With such a big following and huge cultural impact, it’s no surprise the story was well read.
With two Democrats running for the state’s Congressional District 34 seat, the race wasn’t decisive when it came to the balance of power in the House. But for residents living within its boundaries, including Boyle Heights, El Sereno and Lincoln Heights, the race was an important one.
Readers came to us to learn more about the race between Jimmy Gomez and David Kim. Incumbent Jimmy Gomez won the race with about 55% of the vote.