(Above: Duffy)

From the release:

Mortimer Zuckerman, editor-in-chief of U.S.News & World Report, announced today that editor Brian Duffy is stepping down to complete a book and to pursue other long-format writing projects.

"It is with great regret but understanding that I have accepted Brian Duffy's decision to leave to complete his book and pursue long-format writing projects," said Mr. Zuckerman. "Brian has been a member of the U.S. News family for 16 years, serving as our extraordinary editor for the last six years, and he has made a major contribution both to U.S. News and to journalism in general. I thank him for all that he has done for U.S. News and wish him every success in the future."

Brian Duffy first joined U.S. News in 1986 and stayed until 1996, when he left to manage investigative coverage on the national desk at The Washington Post. He subsequently joined The Wall Street Journal as its investigative editor, returning to U.S. News in August 1998 as executive editor and becoming editor in June 2001.

He has previously written a novel and co-authored four non-fiction books. He is currently working on a history of the espionage efforts of the Americans and the British during the Revolutionary War.
Brian Kelly, executive editor of U.S. News, will now manage all editorial functions of the publication.

(below: Kelly)