• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, December 19, 2011

The New York Times Co. this afternoon disclosed that it is in "advanced discussions" to sell its Regional Media Group, consisting of 16 regional newspapers, other print publications and related businesses, to Halifax Media Holdings.

The group includes the following publications:

Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Sarasota, Fla.;

The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, Calif.;

The Ledger in Lakeland, Fla.;

Star-News in Wilmington, N.C.;

Herald-Journal in Spartanburg, S.C.;

Star-Banner in Ocala, Fla.;

The Gainesville Sun in Gainesville, Fla.;

The Tuscaloosa News in Tuscaloosa, Ala.;

The Gadsden Times in Gadsden, Ala.;

The Courier in Houma, La.;

Times-News in Hendersonville, N.C.;

Daily Comet in Thibodaux, La.;

The Dispatch in Lexington, N.C.;

Petaluma Argus-Courier in Petaluma, Calif.;

News Chief in Winter Haven, Fla.; and

North Bay Business Journal in Santa Rosa, Calif.