Category: Views

A whistleblower tried to raise the alarm about appalling conditions at the Buncombe County jail, the deadliest in the state. This is his story of running into evasion, lies and retaliation from multiple levels of government “The law, in its majestic equality, prohibits rich and…

A bizarre primary campaign season seems to take place in a different world than the harsh reality most in Asheville face Life in this city is goddamn grim. There’s no way around that. There never really was for many of us, but the past years…

Congressional candidate Jasmine Beach-Ferrara has marketed herself as a progressive queer minister devoted to “values of love and peace.” But she’s directed tens of millions in public cash to one of the worst weapons companies on the planet. Above: graphic by Orion Solstice. Background photo…

In November, Blade journalist Orion Solstice caught a breakthrough Covid-19 case. This is the story of his ordeal — and recovery — as a working class trans person in Asheville Above: The positive covid test result the author received in November. Photo by Orion Solstice.…

Asheville city government declares war on the houseless and attacks protests, the press, mutual aid groups and anyone who dares to speak up Above: Asheville police move to block off a table with food and supplies during the Dec. 25 raid. Photo by Veronica Coit…

This week Blade reporter Veronica Coit tested positive for covid. This is their story of trying to find tests and treatment in the days of Omicron Above: The writer’s positive at-home COVID test result On Wednesday, Jan. 5 Blade reporter Veronica Coit tested positive for…

City hall tries to sneak through a new measure, written by airbnb landlords, to bring in even more airbnbs and kick locals out on the street Graphic by Orion Solstice Tomorrow, Dec. 14, sees the last Asheville city council meeting of the year. It’s bad,…

Forget the marketing about a “historic” council. The current crop of Asheville’s elected officials are easily the most conservative in over a decade Above: Asheville city hall by night. File photo by Max Cooper “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: there must be…

As more locals try to speak up, city hall’s increasingly clamped down on any methods to do so. Inside Asheville government’s war on public comment Graphic by Orion Solstice It was the dead end of July and yet another Asheville City Council meeting stretched for…

Asheville police and a right-wing pr firm unleashed a wave of propaganda falsely portraying the city as overrun by violent crime. Overwhelmingly, they targeted Black people Graphic by Orion Solstice. Quotes are taken from Colepro marketing material as well as APD press releases and emails…