PUBLISHING

THE ECONOMIST NAMES NEW EDITOR

The Economist has named John Micklethwait as its new editor, effective immediately. He replaced Bill Emmott, who retired from the post last month after 13 years to write books.

Mr. Micklethwait, who is 43 years old, had previously overseen coverage of American affairs, based in London. He also edited the magazine’s business section and set up its Los Angeles office, where he worked from 1990 to 1993.

Mr. Micklethwait has also co-authored four books with Adrian Wooldridge, the Economist’s bureau chief in Washington.

– Associated Press

FORMER LIFE MAGAZINE EDITOR, PHILIP KUNHARDT, DIES AT 78

Lincoln Historian and former Life Magazine editor Philip B. Kunhardt, Jr., 78, died at home Tuesday of pulmonary fibrosis. The death was announced yesterday by his documentary company, Kunhardt Productions.

After working as a correspondent at Life, he became an editor in 1959. When Life was revived as a monthly in 1978, Kunhardt became managing editor, until his retirement in 1982. He edited several anthologies of articles and photos from the magazine. Among the books he wrote was “Twenty Days” (1965), written with his mother, Dorothy Meserve Kunhardt, about the death of President Lincoln. In 1982,he published “A New Birth of Freedom,” about the Gettysburg Address. Kunhardt also wrote the memoir ” “My Father’s House,” and a biography of his mother, who was a famous children’s book author.

As both writer and producer, he worked with his sons Peter and Philip III on documentaries about P.T. Barnum, President Lincoln, and a survey, “The American Presidents.”

Kunhardt is survived by his wife Katharine, his six children-Philip B. Kunhardt III, Peter W. Kunhardt, Jean Herschkowitz, Sandra Basile, Sarah Horton, and Michael T. Kunhardt-and by eighteen grandchildren. A sister, Edith Davis, also survives him.

– Staff Reporter of the Sun

MIDWEST

RADIO HOST FIRED FOR RACIAL EPITHET DESCRIBING CONDOLEEZZA RICE

ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis radio show host is out of a job after using a racial epithet on the air while talking about Secretary of State Rice.

KTRS AM announced the firing shortly after morning talk show host Dave Lenihan used the word “coon” in describing Ms. Rice’s attributes for the post of NFL commissioner.

Mr. Lenihan and the station’s management both called the use of the word a “slip of the tongue.” Station president and general manager Tim Dorsey said the utterance was nonetheless “unacceptable, reprehensible and unforgivable.”

Mr. Lenihan was heaping praise on Rice, a big football fan, then said: “She’s African-American, which would kind of be a big coon. A big coon. Oh my God. I am totally, totally, totally, totally, totally sorry for that.”

Reached at home, Mr. Lenihan said he was trying to say “quite a coup.” He says he’s drafting a letter of apology to Ms. Rice.

– Associated Press