The first edition of the Tampa Bay Times rolled off the printing presses this Sunday. This marks a big change for the nationally-renowned paper formerly known as the St. Pete Times.
The name change comes with the paper's efforts to reinforce the region's identity throughout the nation and world. According to the paper, 75 percent of its readers reside outside of the St. Petersburg area and, if you've read any edition of the paper recently, it's quite apparent that their local coverage is hardly limited to the St. Petersburg area.
A number of other changes will come with the renaming of the paper as well. The St. Pete Times Forum, home to the Tampa Bay Lightning and upcoming 2012 Republican Convention, will now be the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Also, the newspaper's philanthropic fund, which awards college scholarships and community grants will, will now be the Tampa Bay Times Fund, Inc.
This isn't the first time the paper's utilized its new name. Their tabloid publication, the Tampa Bay Times has been using the moniker since its inception back in 2004. TBT will still be free and published as an edition of the Tampa Bay Times daily.
What do you think about the Times new name? Let us know in the comments section below.
