Last week's cover story by Worcester's alt-weekly addressed the practical complications of a new state law allowing over-the-counter sales of hypodermic needles to reduce the spread of HIV among intravenous-drug users. Ten AIDS activists who thought the cover "sensationalized" the issue took it upon themselves to change it, applying Photoshopped stickers to 2,000 copies in order to alter the meaning of a subhed. Then they called the local daily to publicize the stunt. Worcester Magazine Editor Michael Warshaw didn't take offense: “This is exactly the kind of ruckus we’re looking for," he told the Boston Phoenix.
Co-associate publishers at Worcester Magazine are taking the pressure off owner-publisher Allen Fletcher as the parent company grows. Kathleen Real and Betsy Abeles-Kravitz, both seasoned alt-pub editors, continue to work with former publisher Peter Stanton, who’s now the parent company’s COO.
