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The Tri-Cities Daily Legacy: 5 Essential Facts About The TimesDaily In Florence, Alabama

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For decades, the name "Tri-Cities Daily" was synonymous with local news across Northwest Alabama. While the specific masthead has changed, the newspaper's vital role as the authoritative voice of the Shoals region remains stronger than ever, serving Florence, Muscle Shoals, and the surrounding counties with up-to-the-minute reporting as of December 2025.

The journey from the historic *Tri-Cities Daily* to the modern *TimesDaily* is a fascinating story of mergers, major media ownership, and a deep commitment to community journalism. This in-depth look provides the essential facts, current leadership, and key coverage areas that define the region's most prominent daily publication.

The TimesDaily: Profile and Current Leadership in The Shoals

The publication known today as The TimesDaily is the primary daily newspaper serving the four-county area of Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, and Lawrence in Northwest Alabama. Its headquarters are located in Florence, Alabama, a central hub of the area commonly referred to as "The Shoals."

The paper provides comprehensive coverage, ranging from local government and business to high school and University of North Alabama (UNA) sports. The paper's commitment to reporting on local governmental entities and economic development remains a cornerstone of its mission.

Key Facts and Entities:

  • Current Name: The TimesDaily
  • Headquarters: Florence, Alabama
  • Coverage Area (The Shoals): Lauderdale County, Colbert County, Franklin County, and Lawrence County.
  • Current Ownership: Tennessee Valley Printing Co. Inc.
  • Parent Company History: The newspaper was notably owned by The New York Times Company until 2009. It was then sold to the Shelton Family's Tennessee Valley Printing Co., which also owns *The Decatur Daily*.
  • Executive Editor: Gary Maitland, who was elected President of the Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation in March 2023, is a key figure in the paper's leadership.
  • Key Staff: Stacy Long has served as the Sports Editor since 2020.

This local ownership model, established after the 2009 sale, is often credited by community members for maintaining a strong focus on hyper-local issues, in contrast to the industry-wide trend of consolidation under large national chains.

From Tri-Cities Daily to The TimesDaily: A History of Mergers

The name Tri-Cities Daily is not just a historical footnote; it is the fundamental root of the modern newspaper's identity. The distinctive name, *The TimesDaily*, is a direct result of a significant merger that consolidated the region's major news sources.

The history of the publication can be traced back to *The Florence Times*, which was established in 1869. For many years, the Shoals region had two dominant daily papers: *The Florence Times*, primarily focused on Florence and Lauderdale County, and the Tri-Cities Daily, which was based out of Colbert County and served the other municipalities, including Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals.

The 1960s Consolidation

The pivotal moment occurred in the 1960s. The two papers, *The Florence Times* and the Tri-Cities Daily, merged to create a single, unified voice for the entire Shoals area. For a period, the paper published under the combined, longer title: *The Florence Times—Tri-Cities Daily*. This hyphenated name was a deliberate effort to honor the history and readership of both papers.

The name was eventually streamlined to the more concise and recognizable The TimesDaily. This evolution reflects the paper's expanded coverage, moving beyond just the "Tri-Cities" (a common term for the area's main municipalities) to cover the full four-county regional news landscape.

This long and complex history—from separate competing papers to a unified regional daily—is why the original keyword, tri cities daily florence alabama, remains a powerful search term for those seeking the true source of news in the Shoals.

Key Coverage Areas and Topical Authority in the Shoals Region

As the leading newspaper in Northwest Alabama, The TimesDaily maintains topical authority over a wide range of subjects critical to the region's residents and economy. Its reporting is essential for anyone tracking developments in the Tennessee Valley.

The paper’s local reporting is routinely recognized, including a 1st Place award for Online Breaking News Coverage for its reporting on the North Alabama Medical Center, highlighting its rapid transition to digital-first journalism.

Major Entities and Topics Covered:

  • University of North Alabama (UNA) News: As a major educational and economic entity, UNA's campus developments, sports programs (Lions athletics), and administrative decisions are consistently covered.
  • Economic Development: The paper is a primary source for news on the economic growth, industrial recruitment, and business announcements in the Shoals area, which includes the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia.
  • Local Politics and Government: The TimesDaily closely monitors the city councils, county commissions, and local governmental entities across Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, and Lawrence counties, often serving as a watchdog for public records and transparency.
  • Regional Banking and Finance: Major local institutions, such as Bank Independent, frequently appear in the paper's business and community coverage, underlining the paper's role in the local financial ecosystem.
  • Community and Culture: Beyond hard news, the paper provides extensive coverage of local arts, culture, obituaries, and community events, maintaining a strong connection with the local lifestyle of Florence, AL.

The current editorial focus under its independent local ownership is on providing deep, localized context that national news sources often miss. This commitment to the four-county region, a legacy that began with the original Tri-Cities Daily, ensures that the paper remains a vital, relevant, and authoritative source for all news in Northwest Alabama.

The Digital Future of Florence’s Daily News

Like all modern publications, The TimesDaily has undergone a major digital transformation. While the print edition remains a tradition for many readers, the paper has heavily invested in its online presence, TimesDaily.com, to provide real-time updates and digital subscriptions.

The shift includes robust coverage of breaking news, sports, and editorials available to online subscribers, ensuring that the paper's long-standing journalistic tradition continues to reach a new generation of readers across the Shoals region and beyond. By blending its deep historical roots (the Tri-Cities Daily legacy) with modern digital platforms, The TimesDaily secures its role as the essential news source for Florence, Alabama, into the future.

The Tri-Cities Daily Legacy: 5 Essential Facts About The TimesDaily in Florence, Alabama
tri cities daily florence alabama
tri cities daily florence alabama

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