Local newspapers launch 'Sunday Hoosier Times'

The turn of a new year is always a time for change and growth. The Bloomington Herald-Times seems to be keeping that in mind. \nIt's expanded the reach of its Sunday paper in association with the Bedford Times-Mail and Morgan County's Reporter-Times. The new product, which hit newsstands Sunday, is a 10-section newspaper called the Sunday Hoosier Times.\nAll three papers are owned and operated by the Schurz Corporation.\nThe goal is to expand the readership and focus of the Sunday paper from Indianapolis to the Kentucky border.\nThe circulation of the paper after its release is expected to reach to 118,000 copies in Monroe, Lawrence, Morgan, Greene, Owen, Brown, Orange and Martin counties.\nThe paper will also circulate in parts of Johnson, Marion, Jackson and Washington counties, to the north.\nNew writers for the Sunday Hoosier Times include author James Alexander Thorn, musician Jonas Starker and historian Robert Farrell. It will feature several new columnists, including Molly Ivins of the Dallas Morning News and staff writer Laura Lane. New sections cover automobiles, travel and the outdoors. Every edition will feature an essay by a prominent Southern Indiana writer.\nTo coincide with the launch of the Sunday Hoosier Times, HoosiersTimes.com's Web site has been expanded and upgraded, making it faster to load and easier to navigate.