Top 10 Press Releases of 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010 at 10:40AM 
Thousands of interesting stories crossed our wire over the past year. From state government announcements to lottery winners to research on America's greatest presidents, here are the 10 news releases from our clients that got the most web traffic in 2010:
1. NYS parks closing announcement
In February, Governor David Paterson and state parks commissioner Carol Ash announced the proposed closure of several state parks due to economic and budgetary concerns.
2. Watertown corrections officer arrested for fraud
Just last week, the NYS Insurance Department found that a corrections officer had fraudulently collected over $6,000 in worker's compensation.
3. St. Lawrence County man wins $10,000,000 lottery prize
How's this for an early Christmas? The NYS Lottery issued a media advisory about its check-presentation ceremony to a Norfolk man who won a $10,000-a-week for life lottery prize.
4. Price Chopper grocery chain expands via acquisition
In March, Price Chopper announced the purchase of six P&C grocery stores, which expands the chain's footprint to northern New York and also New Hampshire. (This release was also the most popular March story on our wire).
5. Federal law combats internet cigarette tax evasion
The American Lung Association in New York issued this release in April explaining the implications of the PACT Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama and requiring that all online tobacco sales be subject to federal, state and local taxes.
6. Governor announces passage of early retirement incentive law
As budget woes continued in NYS, Governor Paterson issued a release in May outlining new legislation that would offer incentives to state workers who took early retirement, in an effort to achieve cost savings.
7. Proposed state worker furloughs announced
The May budget crisis caused Governor Paterson to announce plans for mandatory state worker furloughs as part of emergency appropriations bills.
8. Unemployment rate in NYS drops and effects benefits
In July, the NYS Department of Labor announced that state unemployment had dipped below the 8.5% three-month average, and thus triggered the elimination of some extended unemployment benefits.
9. Siena Research Institute rates best and worst US Presidents
In a survey of over 200 presidential research experts, Siena Research Institute found that the four presidents etched onto Mount Rushmore, plus Franklin D. Roosevelt, were deemed as America's Greatest Presidents.
10. NYS Governor cautions residents about heatwave
July was a hot month, and the governor reminded New York residents to take precautions against the heat, as well as monitor electricity usage to prevent power outages.
News, and not noise
What do all of these releases have in common? They all deliver solid, locally relevant news. You won't find a lot of press release gobbledygook like "Company X is pleased to announce the launch of our revolutionary, world-class widget that is uniquely positioned to deliver flexible, next generation performance" on the readMedia wire. Our clients originate the types of news stories you'd see in your local paper or on a TV newscast -- stories about local residents and local government. We take a lot of pride in knowing that the stories we deliver to newsrooms for our clients are relevant and interesting. On to 2011!
Image credit: Flickr user sam_churchill
