An update, Texas connection

Barry Bearak, the New York Times reporter held in Zimbabwe, has been freed and charges have been dropped.

We noted his capture earlier, and the Texas connection: His wife, Celia, is the daughter of Ronnie Dugger, a founder of the Texas Observer.

As Times editor Bill Keller said, Bearak was arrested for just doing his job. He's headed home now.

Perhaps it's also worth noting that an AP photographer has also been freed from captivity. The case is a little different, though. He was held for two years by the United States ...

--Rex Seline