Ex-Times reporter Eric Slater blames his story errors partly on editing and says the paper fired him before completing its investigation into his work. He confirms for the Chico Enterprise-Record that he was asked Monday to resign and refused, then was dismissed, and also that he has hired an attorney. In a short staff-written New York Times story today, "a Web site that reports on media and culture" appears to be a reference to L.A. Observed and this. And if you don't know what any of this is about, copious earlier coverage is down below.

* Also: Retired Times staffer Ken Reich, who also left against his will last year, blogs on the Slater situation. Local Liberty has a take here. And judging by my email, other Slater stories are being examined for errors, at least informally.