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…

Local school systems are forcing students back despite terrible safety protocols and a refusal to take covid seriously. As covid cases among children skyrocket, it is a catastrophe that’s only going to get worse Above: Asheville City Schools list of covid protocols, from an Aug.…

A civil rights lawsuit tells the story of workplace discrimination, verbal abuse, assault and rampant misogyny at a major Asheville company Graphic by Orion Solstice [This story describes acts of misogyny, discrimination, threats of violence, assault and workplace abuse] Moog, the major synthesizer company, is…

After tear gas, lies and excuses Asheville’s racist power structure loses a years-long battle, as the notorious monument finally comes down Above: the removal of the top of the Vance monument last week. Photo by Orion Solstice. In May 1898 the Vance monument was completed.…

Asheville police lie about a brutal crackdown on houseless campers and the locals supporting them as city hall ramps up its efforts to please the tourism industry at all costs Above: A banner outside the Aston Park houseless camp. Special to the Blade Blade reporters…

Local government officials have pointedly refused to ever name the locations of outbreaks at Asheville workplaces. So we are Tourism hubs are ripe for pandemics. Travel, bars, indoor dining and hotels are all some of the industries that spread a disease farthest and fastest. As…

In the face of public outrage, Asheville city hall is set to open the floodgates on a wave of new hotels while the industry does more damage than ever Above: The message is simple. No. More. Hotels. Asheville hates hotels. This is not new, of…

Asheville police and city hall suddenly destroy a houseless camp hours before the coldest night of the year, putting lives in danger and leaving services organizations scrambling Above: The Lexington Avenue overpass, site of the former houseless camp. Photo by Orion Solstice Blade reporters Elliot…

No honeymoon for city hall’s newest officials as the public turns up the pressure over police weapons, housing and more Above: City hall by night. File photo by Max Cooper. It’s a clarifying time. It’s easy to forget that local governments are grinding on, still…

This danger is not new and Asheville’s political establishment will not seriously fight it. As always, it’s up to us Above: Asheville police form a ring around far-right harasser Chad Nesbitt. Special to the Blade. There’s an image that’s been stuck in my mind this…