I don't remember reading that ABC withdrew the bentonite story. My recollection is that, after the story came under attack, ABC stood by the story and said three labs supported it. Maybe they withdrew it later, but, if so, I don't think I ever saw that.
"My recollection is that, after the story came under attack, ABC stood by the story and said three labs supported it. Maybe they withdrew it later, but, if so, I don't think I ever saw that." Now that you mention it, I recall ABC's initial defense of the story.
But I think the story was withdrawn about a week later. As I recall, it was reported by another outlet (as in "ABC has withdrawn their report that...").
I'm trusting memory here. The record, to be sure, is less than perfect...