Year in Review: Top 10 news stories in Las Vegas

The calendar said 2010, yet this year comes to an end feeling a lot like 2009, at least when it comes to the top news stories of the year.

The poor economy and its far-reaching effects nearly earned the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive year but was bumped to No. 2 by this year’s elections.

The election results included the victory of Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, who made last year’s list for helping pass President Barack Obama’s health care bill.

The Metropolitan Police Department made the list again, this time for controversial shootings and inquest changes that followed.

Sen. John Ensign just made this year’s list as investigators closed probes into the affair that landed him on last year’s Top 10 list.

The lingering saga of Southern Nevada’s hepatitis outbreak returned to the list, as did stories about celebrities.

A few newcomers made this year’s list, including the opening of the Hoover Dam bypass bridge and the fatal federal courthouse shootout.

Following are the Top 10 local news stories of 2010 as voted on by the staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Pay close attention. There’s a good chance a few will be back next year.

1. Elections
2. The economy
3. Officer-involved shootings and the inquest process
4. Courthouse shooting
5. Opening of the Hoover Dam bypass bridge
6. Hepatitis litigation
7. Catheter disruptions at Sunrise Children’s Hospital
8. Lake Mead’s water woes
9. Bad celebrities
10. Ensign’s troubles