The 10 Most Read Dallas Observer News Stories of 2024

Ah, the end of yet another year has arrived, and as much as we enjoy looking ahead here at the Observer, we don’t mind taking a peek back on occasion either.

If we’re being super honest here, and we like to think we are, we also like to know which articles have struck a chord with our readers. It’s definitely worth finding out which news pieces from the past year have found their way in front of the most eyeballs.

In previous years, stories dealing in politics, drugs and the weather have featured prominently in our looks at the most read Observer news stories for the year, and that’s not all that different from what we found in this year's review. We’ll offer you a bit of a gentle spoiler, here, just to calm your nerves before diving into the list: none of the Top 10 are about the November election, Donald Trump or Ted Cruz.

10. Dozens of McKinney Residents Speak Against 'Eyesore' Mosque Moving in Next Door

In July, several dozen McKinney residents packed City Hall to speak out against a rezoning application that would help clear the way for a giant mosque to be constructed near a residential neighborhood. Perhaps predictably, some of the people opposed to the building were less than delicate in their expression.

9. Dallas Latest City Targeted by Venezuelan Gang, Social Media Group Claims With Spurious Video

There was a time not long ago, less than 3 months ago, that some social media users were convinced that many American cities, including Dallas, were being simply overrun by the Tren de Aragua gang. To be fair, however, Dallas police confirmed they had been investigating activity from the notorious gang in town for quite some time, and a number of other violent criminal offenses in town had at least some indirect connections to the gang.

8. West Texas Earthquake Much Larger Than Any To Ever Hit Dallas

In July, an earthquake rocked West Texas, so we took a look at the largest earthquakes to ever hit North Texas.

7. Lawmakers Could Ban Intoxicating Hemp Products, Including delta-9 and More

Now that Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has reinforced his desire to ban intoxicating hemp products such as delta-9 and other THC consumables, it seems more likely than ever to happen.

6. Heads Up, Dallas Snowflakes: Winter Is Coming This Weekend

Two words: polar vortex

5. North Texans Could See Northern Lights Tonight Thanks to Rare Conditions

There were plenty of intriguing reasons to look at the sky in 2024. But even a glimpse of the glorious Northern Lights wasn’t the best reason. More on that later.

4. New Dallas Winter, Snowfall Forecast Released: Here’s What To Expect

We like reading about the weather as much as we like talking about the weather, apparently.

3. 97.1 The Freak Fires On-Air Crew, Will Return to Rock Radio Format

When 97.1 The Freak went from an all-talk format back to a heavy rock format as 97.1 The Eagle, we were the first ones to talk about it with local radio legend Mike Rhyner, just minutes after he and many of his Freak colleagues were let go from the station.

2. Denton Is a City You Must Avoid During the April 8 Solar Eclipse

The college town to the north is a great place to visit for many reasons, but the total solar eclipse that the world was buzzing about in April was allegedly not one of them.

1. Psychedelic Indeed: We Tripped on Legal Magic Mushroom Gummies (This Time)

The most-read Observer news story of 2024 was a follow-up to a popular 2023 story describing how our reporter finally succeeded in tripping on some magic mushroom gummies. At the Observer, we’re nothing if not aggressively dogged in our search for the truth. Or a decent buzz.