Nevada Editor Fired For Quotes In Humor Article

By: Scott Sonner, Associated Press Writer (AP) A newspaper editor in Battle Mountain lost her job after she was quoted in a humorous Washington Post Magazine story that dubbed the Nevada mining town "the armpit of America." Local residents interpreted her comments as agreeing with the label.

Lorrie Baumann, former editor of the twice-weekly, 1,700-circulation Battle Mountain Bugle, said she was fired after local merchants threatened to pull advertising because of her comments in the magazine's Dec. 2 issue. "I lost my job because of this," Baumann told The Associated Press last week.

Bugle Publisher Lee Denmark said Baumann's departure was a personnel matter and he would not comment.

Residents were upset by comments attributed to Baumann in which she generally agreed with the unflattering label pinned on the town of about 5,000.

"Sounds about right," she was quoted as saying in the article, written by Gene Weingarten. "I think a quick drive around downtown will answer any questions that might be lingering in your mind."

Weingarten, who grew up in the South Bronx in New York City and had never visited Nevada before his assignment, said he was stunned by Baumann's firing.

The publisher of the Bugle said that local reaction to the article was varied and that he found "large segments mean-spirited and unnecessary."

"Some people were outraged. Some thought it was humorous. At this point, I think most of them want to try to figure out a way to capitalize on the publicity," he said.