Category: News

The Blade asks the hard questions about corruption charges, the A-B Tech cash, rural development, ending de facto segregation, trans rights and more. One candidate responds. It is, as you’ve all probably heard by this point, a particularly important election season. But while state and…

Name: Amanda Edwards Profession: Executive (oversees administration, programs, and strategic plan) In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Lifelong Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: To put my county management and executive public service skills to work to…

A breaking transit system, an attempt to sweep the Rush attack under the rug, an early start to budget battles, land use wrangling and the public comment that wasn’t Above: Pictures taken by bus drivers of a major oil leak on an Asheville transit system…

In a new feature focusing on the tally of Asheville City Council’s latest doings, we look at a bus system overhaul, a grassroots push for community space and the ongoing battle over policing and racism Above: A map of proposed overhauls to Asheville’s bus system.…

The return of a state plan to gerrymander city elections and break black voting power gets a surprising boost from a Democratic senator — and sets the stage for a major civil rights fight Above: A map of gerrymandered Asheville City Council election districts in…

The choice facing Asheville is clear. In fights over NAACP reforms and the annual budget, City Hall is ground zero for the long-brewing fight between pushes for reform and the city’s historic racism, now openly backed and defended by the police chief and law enforcement…

Insistence on a controversial police expansion and pay hikes for top-level staff bust a hole in Asheville’s finances and bring social justice proposals to a halt in this year’s hidden city budget fight Above: City Hall by night. Photo by Max Cooper [Editor’s note: While…

The District Attorney and Sheriff’s primaries cast an illuminating light on the divides in our area — and some of the fights that lie ahead Above: the map of election results from the Democratic primary between incumbent Todd Williams and challenger Ben Scales. Precincts that…

The Asheville Blade’s guide to the primary that will shape who’s the county’s top law enforcement officer in a time where local policing’s under increasing scrutiny Buncombe County Sheriff is a key position, one of the most powerful on the ballot. Elected, rather than appointed,…

Name: Quentin Miller Profession: Sergeant at the Asheville Police Department (APD). In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Progressive Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I’m running to change the mindset of the Sheriff’s office from that of a warrior to…