Talks under way for Courier, Comet sale

The New York Times Regional Media Group has confirmed its intention to sell the Houma Courier and the Daily Comet out of Thibodaux for an undisclosed amount to the Halifax Media Holdings of Daytona Beach, Fla.

According to the New York Times Business Wire, the sale is part of a divestiture of 15 community and regional publications. The Times intends to refocus its attention to its major newspapers and online services.

In a published report by Courier Managing Editor Dee Dee Thurston, publisher Miles Forrest said that an actual sale had not yet taken place, “but it is likely that the deal could be closed fairly soon.”

Halifax, owner of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, is a long-time news investment company that is known for placing local emphasis among its publications.

“At the point at which there is a signed agreement, I will be in [a] position to provide more details. But until that time, there is obviously not a lot I can say,” Forrest told the Courier.

It could not be confirmed if a buyout would threaten jobs held by current Courier and Comet employees.

The Courier began publication in 1878 as Le Courrier de Houma and the Daily Comet began as the Lafourche Comet in 1889.

Additional newspapers involved in the New York Times sale include the Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Fla.), Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.), Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.), Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.), Herald-Journal (Spartanberg, S.C.), Star-Banner (Ocala, Fla.), Gainesville Sun (Gainesville, Fla.), Tuscaloosa News (Tuscaloosa, Ala.), Gadsden Times (Gadsden, Ala.), Times-News (Hendersonville, N.C.), Dispatch (Lexington, N.C.), News Chief (Winter Haven, Fla.) and the Petaluma Argus-Courier (Petaluma, Calif.).