The
St. Petersburg Times is a United States
newspaperA newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
. It is one of two major publications serving the
Tampa Bay AreaThe Tampa Bay Area is the region of west central Florida adjacent to Tampa Bay. Definitions of the region vary. It is often considered equivalent to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area defined by the United States Census Bureau. The Census Bureau currently...
, the other being
The Tampa TribuneThe Tampa Tribune, published in Tampa, Florida, is one of two major newspapers published in the Tampa Bay area, second in circulation and readership to the St. Petersburg Times. The paper's tagline is "Life...
, which the
Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in
St. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
, the
Times has won eight
Pulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
s since 1964, and in 2009, won two in a single year for the first time in the paper's history.
It is published by the
Times Publishing CompanyTimes Publishing Company is a newspaper and magazine publisher. Its flagship publication is the St. Petersburg Times, a daily newspaper serving the Tampa Bay area. It also publishes the business magazine Florida Trend and the daily newspaper tbt* .Times Publishing Company is based in St...
, which is owned by The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a nonprofit
journalism schoolA journalism school is a school or department, usually part of an established university, where journalists are trained. An increasingly used term for a journalism department, school or college is 'J-School'...
directly adjacent to the
University of South FloridaThe University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
campus in St. Petersburg. Many issues are available through
Google News ArchiveGoogle News Archive was an extension of Google News providing free access to scanned archives of newspapers and links to other newspaper archives on the web, both free and paid.-History:The archive went live on June 6, 2006....
. A daily electronic version is also available for the
Amazon KindleThe Amazon Kindle is an e-book reader developed by Amazon.com subsidiary Lab126 which uses wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other digital media...
.
On January 1, 2012, the
St. Petersburg Times will be renamed the
Tampa Bay Times; this stemmed from a 2006 decision of a lawsuit with
Media GeneralMedia General, Inc. is a media company based in the Southeastern United States. Its major properties include newspapers such as The Tampa Tribune, the Winston-Salem Journal, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, as well as numerous television stations, such as flagship station WFLA-TV.The company was...
, the publishers of
The Tampa Tribune, which allowed that paper to keep its exclusive right to use the name of its defunct sister paper,
The Tampa Times, for five years after the decision. Free weekday tabloid
tbt*, which uses ("* Tampa Bay Times)" as its subtitle, will become just
tbt when the name change takes place.
History
The
Times traces its origins to the
West Hillsborough Times, a weekly newspaper started in
Dunedin, FloridaDunedin is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The population was 35,691 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 36,632...
in 1884. By 1912, the paper had been sold six times, had been relocated to St. Petersburg, and was published six days a week. Publisher Paul Poynter bought the paper in September 1912 and published it seven days a week. Paul's son
Nelson PoynterNelson Poynter was an American publisher. He was born in Sullivan, Indiana in 1903. His family moved to Florida nine years later when his father bought the St. Petersburg Times. Nelson returned to Indiana to get his B.A...
took majority control of the paper in 1947. Nelson Poynter died in 1978, having willed the paper to the
Poynter InstituteThe Poynter Institute is a non-profit school for journalism located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The school's mission statement says that "The Poynter Institute is a school dedicated to teaching and inspiring journalists and media leaders. It promotes excellence and integrity in the practice of...
.
In November 1986, the
Evening Independent was merged into the
Times.
In 2003, the
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
described the
St. Petersburg Times as a "usually liberal" newspaper.
In 2010 the
Times published an investigative report questioning the validity of the
United States Navy Veterans AssociationThe United States Navy Veterans Association is a tax-exempt Veterans Organization that claims to have a national headquarters in Washington, D.C. It claimed that its purpose was to support the U.S. Navy, and to assist veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families.The...
, leading to significant reaction and official investigations into the group nationwide.
PolitiFact.com
The newspaper operates
PolitiFact.com, a project in which its reporters and editors "fact-check statements by members of Congress, the White House, lobbyists and interest groups...." They publish original statements and their evaluations on the PolitiFact.com website, and assign each a
"Truth-O-Meter" rating. The site also includes an
"Obameter", tracking
U.S. PresidentThe President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's performance with regard to his campaign promises.
PolitiFact.com was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2009 for "its fact-checking initiative during the 2008 presidential campaign that used probing reporters and the power of the World Wide Web to examine more than 750 political claims, separating rhetoric from truth to enlighten voters."
Awards and nominations
| Year |
Award |
Work |
Recipients |
Category |
Result |
| 2010 |
National Headliner Awards The National Headliner Awards are a prize given out by Press Club of Atlantic City since 1935. Both broadcast journalism and print journalism are recognized, in separate categories.-External links:*...
|
"Inside Scientology" |
Thomas C. Tobin and Joe Childs |
Investigative reporting |
Finalist |
| Florida Society of News Editors |
Gold Medal for Public Service |
Won |
| Pulitzer Prize The 2010 Pulitzer Prizes were awarded on Monday, April 12, 2010. In journalism, The Washington Post won four awards while The New York Times won three. For the first time, an online source, ProPublica, won in what had previously been the sole province of print. A musical, Next to Normal, won the...
|
"For Their Own Good" |
Ben Montgomery, Waveney Ann Moore, and photographer Edmund D. Fountain |
Local Reporting |
Finalist |
| 2009 |
Pulitzer Prize The 2009 Pulitzer Prizes were announced on April 20, 2009, the 93rd annual awards.The New York Times won five awards this year, with the St. Petersburg Times being the only other multi-prize winner with two...
|
PolitiFact.com |
Times staff, represented by Bill Adair, Washington bureau chief |
National Reporting |
Won |
| Public Service |
Finalist |
| "The Girl in the Window" |
Lane DeGregory |
Feature Writing |
Won |
| "Winter's Tale" |
John Barry |
Feature Writing |
Finalist |
| 2007 |
Scripps Howard Foundation The Scripps Howard Foundation is the corporate foundation of the E. W. Scripps Company, an American media conglomerate which owns newspapers, television stations, cable television networks, and other media outlets...
|
Human Interest Writing |
Lane DeGregory |
Ernie Pyle Award |
Won |
| "A Republican vs. Republican Cellular Division" |
Wes Allison |
Raymond Clapper Award |
Won |
Pulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prizes for 2007 were announced on April 16, 2007.In November 2006, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced two changes that would apply for the 2007 awards:...
|
"In His Own Defense" |
Christopher Goffard |
Feature Writing |
Finalist |
| 2003 |
Scripps Howard Foundation The Scripps Howard Foundation is the corporate foundation of the E. W. Scripps Company, an American media conglomerate which owns newspapers, television stations, cable television networks, and other media outlets...
|
Human Interest Writing |
Kelley Benham |
Ernie Pyle Award |
Won |
| 2002 |
Scripps Howard Foundation The Scripps Howard Foundation is the corporate foundation of the E. W. Scripps Company, an American media conglomerate which owns newspapers, television stations, cable television networks, and other media outlets...
|
"The Poison in Your Back Yard" |
Julie Hauserman |
Edward J. Meeman Award |
Won |
| 2000 |
Pulitzer Prize -Journalism awards:*Public Service:**The Washington Post, notably for the work of Katherine Boo that disclosed wretched neglect and abuse in the city’s group homes for the mentally retarded, which forced officials to acknowledge the conditions and begin reforms....
|
"Una Vida Mejor" |
Anne Hull |
Feature Writing |
Finalist |
| National Reporting |
Finalist |
| 1999 |
Sigma Delta ChiThe Society of Professional Journalists , formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi, is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists in the United States. It was established in April 1909 at DePauw University, and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn. The ten founding members of...
|
"Deadly Rampage" |
Times staff |
Excellence in deadline reporting |
Won |
Investigative report of U.S. Rep.The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Corrine BrownCorrine Brown is an U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes parts of Duval, Clay, Putnam, Alachua, Volusia, Marion, Lake, Seminole, and Orange Counties....
|
Bill Adair and David Dahl |
Washington correspondence |
Won |
| 1998 |
Pulitzer Prize -Journalism:-Letters:* Biography or Autobiography** Personal History by Katharine Graham * Fiction** American Pastoral by Philip Roth * History...
|
"Angels & Demons" |
Thomas French |
Feature Writing |
Won |
| Investigative report of The Rev. Henry Lyons Reverend Henry J. Lyons is a former President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc..-Early life:Henry was raised by his grandfather, a Deacon named Booker T. Lyons. His own father, who was only 16 when Henry was born, played a minimal role in his childhood. He attended Gibbs Junior College...
|
Times staff |
Investigative Reporting |
Finalist |
| The "Tobacco" series |
David Barstow |
Explanatory Reporting |
Finalist |
| 1997 |
Pulitzer Prize -Journalism awards:-Letters, Drama and Music Awards:* Biography or Autobiography:**Angela's Ashes: A Memoir by Frank McCourt * Fiction:**Martin Dressler: The Tale of an American Dreamer by Steven Millhauser * History:...
|
Coverage of the 1996 St. Petersburg riot -Initial incident:At approximately 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 1996, Officer James Knight of the St. Petersburg Police Department and his partner executed a traffic stop on a suspected stolen vehicle, which turned out not to be stolen. The driver of this vehicle, Tyron Lewis, an 18-year-old...
|
Times staff |
Spot News Reporting |
Finalist |
| 1995 |
Pulitzer Prize - Journalism awards :*Public Service:**Virgin Islands Daily News, St. Thomas, for its disclosure of the links between the region's rampant crime rate and corruption in the local criminal justice system...
|
"Final Indignities" |
Jeffrey Good |
Editorial Writing |
Won |
| "A Secret Life" |
Anne Hull |
Feature Writing |
Finalist |
| 1992 |
Pulitzer Prize - Journalism awards :*Public Service:**The Sacramento Bee, For "The Sierra in Peril," reporting by Tom Knudson that examined environmental threats and damage to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California.*Spot News Reporting:...
|
"Life From Death" |
Sheryl James |
Feature Writing |
Finalist |
| 1991 |
Pulitzer Prize The following are the Pulitzer Prizes for 1991. The year was significant because not only were awards given for all categories, but two separate awards were given for International Reporting.- Journalism awards :*Public Service:...
|
"A Gift Abandoned" |
Sheryl James |
Feature Writing |
Won |
| 1985 |
Pulitzer PrizeThe following are the Pulitzer Prizes for 1985.-Journalism awards:*Public Service:** The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, For reporting by Mark J. Thompson which revealed that nearly 250 U.S...
|
Corruption in Pasco County Sheriff's Office The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is the law enforcement agency responsible for Pasco County, Florida. The current Sheriff is Chris Nocco, who was appointed by Governor Rick Scott. Former Sheriff Bob White announced his early retirement effective May 1, 2011...
|
Lucy Morgan and Jack Reed |
Investigative Reporting |
Won |
| 1982 |
Pulitzer Prize -Journalism awards:*Public Service:**The Detroit News, for exposing a cover-up in the U.S. Navy, which led to reforms in the Navy.*Local General or Spot News Reporting:...
|
Coverage of drug smuggling in Dixie County, Florida Dixie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,827. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 14,647 . Its county seat is Cross City, Florida.- History :...
|
Lucy Morgan |
Local General or Spot News Reporting |
Finalist |
| 1980 |
Pulitzer Prize -Journalism awards:*Public Service:** Gannett News Service, for its series on financial contributions to the Pauline Fathers.*Local General or Spot News Reporting:...
|
Investigation of Church of ScientologyThe Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
operations in FloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
|
Bette Swenson Orsini and Charles Stafford |
National Reporting |
Won |
| Times staff |
Public Service |
Finalist |
| 1964 |
Pulitzer Prize -Journalism awards:*Public Service:**The St. Petersburg Times, for its aggressive investigation of the Florida Turnpike Authority which disclosed widespread illegal acts and resulted in a major reorganization of the State's road construction program....
|
Investigation of Florida Turnpike Authority |
Martin Waldron Martin Oliver "Mo" Waldron was an American newspaper reporter, whose investigative reporting on "reckless, unchecked spending" on the construction of the Sunshine State Parkway won the 1964 Pulitzer Prize for Meritorious Public Service for the St...
and Times staff |
Meritorious Public Service |
Won |
External links