'USA Today' Editor Jurgensen Resigns Abruptly

By: E&P Staff USA Today Editor Karen Jurgensen resigned late Tuesday, according to a memo from President and Publisher Craig Moon to the newspaper's staff posted on USAToday.com. Jurgensen was apparently a victim to the fallout over the Jack Kelley scandal that rocked America's largest newspaper.

The memo read: "For 21 years, Karen worked tirelessly to build USA Today in to the nation's largest newspaper. She has been meticulous in every detail since becoming editor. As a result of her efforts, Karen has improved both the presentation and the content of the newspaper. She will be missed. Karen's retirement opens the door to move the USA TODAY brand forward under new leadership. A search for a new editor is under way. We will fill the position as soon as possible."

The memo also quoted Jurgensen: "Like all of us who worked with Jack Kelley, I wish we had caught him far sooner than we did. The sad lessons learned by all in this dreadful situation will make USA Today a stronger, better newspaper. My goal long has been to make USA Today a lasting institution for the forces of good in the country because journalism is daily service to readers.

"I am grateful to the staff for giving readers an increasingly better daily newspaper over the past few years. And I am honored to have worked with such talented, committed journalists. The new leadership will help the staff to turn this event into an opportunity to further our progress."

The introduction to the memo posted on USAToday.com noted: "The announcement followed a months-long examination of the work of former USA Today reporter Jack Kelley by a team of journalists. They found evidence that Kelley fabricated substantial portions of at least eight major stories, lifted nearly two dozen quotes or other material from competing publications, lied in speeches he gave for the newspaper and conspired to mislead those investigating his work."

Since the Kelley affair came to light, some critics have suggested that the newspaper's management should have taken responsibility for the errant reporter's transgressions.