YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – What were the most important stories of 2024 in the Youngstown region?

The list likely would be topped by the Realty Tower explosion and its aftermath.

Other choices would have to include the closing of Eastern Gateway Community College, the naming of Bill Johnson as president of Youngstown State University and the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care System.

There are many more obvious choices.

But when it comes to the news business, the list of most important stories – those with the most lasting impact or that change the course of destiny – usually isn’t the same as the list of the most well-read stories.

At this time of year, all news outlets analyze the list of their stories that got the most views. It’s part of the marketing process.

Hard news – the blood and guts – is always well-read. But the feature stories about leisure time pursuits draw readers like magnets and often come out on top.

The sheer volume of coverage from all news outlets waters down the views for any single hard news story. Readers are deluged with it.

And news outlets that have both a print and online presence notice that a story that first appeared in print may get fewer views when it’s posted online.

There are plenty of other caveats. And there is also the unseen hand of the internet – things such as Facebook shares and reactions – that can send readership of any particular story into the stratosphere.

There is also the basic truth that news editors and publishers can’t escape: You can’t always  predict what readers are going to click on. 

Nevertheless, it’s enlightening to discover the stories that Business Journal readers gravitated to in 2024. It’s not a scientific measure of importance, but it is fun.

And in any business, numbers are the bottom line.

With that said, here are the 25 most-read stories on BusinessJournalDaily.com in 2024:

  1. Eclipse Draws the Line Directly Over the Valley
  2. Prima Cucina Prepares New Location in Austintown
  3. Valley Native Rises to Top of Hotel-Casino World
  4. Husband and Wife Team Open Juny Café in Austintown
  5. Massive Explosion Rocks Downtown Youngstown
  6. Actor from Valley Has a Role in Oscar-nominated Film
  7. Guest Commentary: We Can Do Better for YSU
  8. Vidale Group Purchases Niles Plaza for $4.4M
  9. Youngstown Cattle Co. Opens Poland Retail Store
  10. Brothers Building Affordable, Upscale Homes in Calcutta
  11. Tavern on the Square Restaurant Opens After $2M Renovation
  12. Former USF Holland Truck Terminal Sold for $15.5M
  13. Newly Renovated Plaza Opens in Downtown Struthers
  14. Niles Shopping Center, Other Properties Sold for $6.8M
  15. Zidian Group Sells Summer Garden Food for $235 Million
  16. Property Owners Decry Proposed Route 224 Changes
  17. Couple Revives Tavern on the Square
  18. Preservationist Works to Save Warren Building from Demolition
  19. Eastern Gateway Officials Raised Concerns about Former Leader
  20. YSU to Take Over Operation of Flight School
  21. Columbiana’s BrewLounge Beer Gets New Owners
  22. Film Depicts Wrenching Event from Life of Valley Artist Al Bright
  23. Developer Has High Hopes for Boardman Townhouses
  24. Boardman Manufacturing Plant Sold for $1.2M
  25. Austintown Company Pays $1.8M for Boardman Properties