Flagpole Editor Credits Involvement with "Alternative" Local Community with Success

            Pete McCommons, editor-in-chief of Flagpole magazine, said he and his publication benefit from local involvement as well as the practice of free circulation.

            “It’s the fact that this is a university town,” the 74-year-old said, crediting the Athens, Ga. community with the success of alternative news such as Flagpole.

McCommons speaking with UGA students.

            After being fired by The University of Georgia, McCommons found success in journalism four decades ago with the Athens Observer because of his involvement in the local community and government.

            “Our strong suit is local coverage,” McCommons explained to UGA students Monday morning. And Athens, which he described as an urban, alternative town, embraces alternative news, especially a publication that is free in print and online.

            Flagpole has a circulation of 14,000 and a full-time staff of 11 people.