There are many newspapers called the (***) Bee. Why? Anything to do with “spelling bee”? Is this a US phenom?
Peace,
mangeorge
Papers called the Bee I believe are a leftover from the 19th Century when newspapers liked to have names that indicated that they were around to stir up trouble or make noise. There were a fair number of papers called “Porcupine” also.
Bees (Fresno and Sacramento) would be an animal that stirs up trouble and makes you take notice.
Don’t know about elsewhere, but the Sacramento Bee. Modesto Bee and the Fresno Bee are published by McClatchy Newspapers, and their mascot is Scoopy Bee
I know all this not because I’m a newspaper geek, but because I used to live on McClatchy Way in Sacramento, home of McClatchy Newspapers.
I once had fun with one of their phone agents when I called to find out why it was noon and my paper hadn’t arrived that day. The agent asked my address, so I say “XXX McClatchy” Agent repeats back “XXX Mick… Could you spell that?” I say “Just look on your paycheck, it’s right at the top.” “Oh! McClatchy!”
I’d heard that the Bees were named after the importance of bees to the Central Valley. I sent a message to the Sac Bee webmaster for the true origin. This is her response:
“The bees are named for the insect because it is so crucial to the central valley.”
Linda Ash
Online Content Manager
The Sacramento Bee
Named for the bug, huh. I never would have guessed. 
My hometown rag is much more cleverly named, the Bakersfield Californian.
I wonder how they came up with that?
While we’re on the subject, does anybody know why are spelling bees so named?
Barry
Spelling bees are related to quilting bees. Everyone gets together and works together (like bees) to accomplish something.
As someone who works in newspaper advertising/consulting, I can assure you that, outside of McClatchy Newspapers in California, there are no other Bee’s out there. In fact, I have a stuffed Scoopy right in front of me, courtesy of the fine folks at the Sac Bee (Hi Linda! I don’t know you, but I’m sure I’ve dealt with some of your coworkers at some point). I did consulting work for the Fresno Bee, but I didn’t get anything but a paycheck from them.
While there are no more Bees out there, there are about a gazillion Chronicles, Gazettes, Registers, Tribunes, Daily News, Eagles, and Republics, though.
My favorite newspaper name : Creative Loafing.
interface2x, that is incorrect. Other Bees include that of Phillips, WI; Portland, OR; the various Bees of Amherst, Clarence, Ken-Ton, Lancaster, Depew, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Orchard Park, and East Aurora, NY; and the original one I thought of when you said that, the Belleair Bee of Belleair Beach, FL.
Huh, well how do ya like that. Been an analyst for years and have never run into any of those before. I concede.
I’ve heard of the one in Portland. I think it was the subject of a documentary.
BTW; we have a Daily Planet here, in Berkeley. There are more of those, too.