Wow: Jack Kelley resigns from USA Today over allegations that he’s made up stories.
In some ways, this is a bigger deal to me than the Jayson Blair stuff. Blair just wasn’t very good, whether he was reporting things straight or blowing smoke. But Kelley consistently put out “holy shit” stories that were, without a doubt, the best thing about USA Today. (Yes, even better than the sports section.) He was one of those reporters whose stuff you’d read and think: “Wow, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do that.” (And when you’re an arrogant asshole like me, that’s saying something.) If he’s been making them up, well, that would explain quite a bit.
From Howie Kurtz’s article, it’s unclear to me if Kelley really has been stretching the truth. (Kelley’s got some defenders over at Romenesko.) I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.