A long, ugly COVID wave is devastating our communities. Here’s what’s going on and what you need to know to help keep yourself and your community safe Graphic by Matilda Bliss If you want to support the Blade’s covid alerts — and everything else we…

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…

Last April’s police raid on the Aston Park camp set the model for future crackdowns. Documents reveal city officials rejoicing over arrests and seeking to please gentry groups Above: Asheville police gather for the April raid on the Aston Park camp. 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…

Asheville police mark the holiday with a night raid on the Aston Park camp and arrest two Blade journalists for reporting on it Above: Asheville police surround the Aston Park camp and prepare to attack on Dec. 25. Photo by Veronica Coit Blade reporters Matilda…

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…