Huge changes are coming to the Washington City Paper, the alt-weekly announced today. Editor Michael Schaffer and Housing Complex reporter Lydia DePillis are joining The New Republic. Mike Madden is the new editor, and Jonathan L. Fischer is the new managing editor.

Schaffer, image courtesy City Paper Former Washington City Paper staffer Michael Schaffer has been hired to return to the publication as its top editor. The news came via an announcement on City Desk this morning.The 36-year-old D.C. native and City Paper alum, currently living in Philadelphia, was named the paper’s new editor on Monday. (Schaffer and his family will be moving back to the D.C. area as soon as he can find a place,…