@JHS - given that we can’t tell, doesn’t that suggest there’s something wrong with the piece? I like @Marlowe1’s point above: it’s very likely that something happened but that “something happened” doesn’t quite rise to the level of news and smacks of irresponsibility or even vindictiveness. They have a platform; it should be used responsibly.
When we start justifying with “I’m sure they thought” we are making assumptions that might not be accurate. Any news article needs to stand on its own.
BTW, I’m really hoping they are able to produce more clarity one way or the other. And, in fact, that would be necessary given the original piece.