The OED lists a number of uses of "As well as" in conjunctive role,
dating way back. This, from Mallory, is typical: 1470-85 MALORY Arthur
IX. xxxvi. 397 Whan men ben hote in dedes of armes ofte they hurte
their frendes as wel as their foes.

   In this example, you could think "their friends" as news and "their
foes" almost as given, so that may be a useful pattern to emulate.

   It's interesting that their one example of a structure in subject
position is treated as singular: 1821 CRAIG Lect. Drawing etc. vii. 404
The back-ground as well as other parts is dotted or stippled.

    I think the commentary in Karl's post is by far the most thoughtful.
In a nutshell, common sense would call for some flexibility even
though prescriptive grammars present the singular as "correct."

Craig

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