Zoning for overdose
Rather than a progressive place with an innovative approach to substance use, Asheville has created a culture that exacerbates the overdose crisis. An inside look at how a city zoning crackdown can cost locals their health and lives Above: A pro-harm reduction message painted on…
Stand on ceremony
Strange applause, another broken promise on policing and massive blind spots mark a dismaying turn in City Hall Above: Asheville City Council, file photo by Max Cooper As one, all seven Asheville City Council members marked the opening of their Sept. 25 meeting by rising…
The Tally: Aug. 28 and Sept. 11 Asheville City Council meetings
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…
The Tally: July 24 Asheville City Council meeting
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 plot to gerrymander Asheville
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…
Good riddance
City Attorney Robin Currin’s far-right legal views have played a key role in halting progressive change. Now she’s resigning. A look at the damage she did, and what might happen next Above: Asheville City Attorney Robin Currin, file photo by Max Cooper The announcement came…
Self-inflicted
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 attack on Johnnie Rush
What you need to know about the police brutality case that’s causing an uproar in Asheville and making national news. What happened, how the problem stretches to the highest levels and how this violence is rooted in our city’s segregation Above: A sign highlighting the…
Fire Hooper
Enough is enough. The Asheville police chief’s awful track record, deceptions and inexcusable inaction mean she must be removed from office. Our city can’t have change while allowing powerful officials to keep their positions no matter what damage they do. Above: Asheville Police Department Chief…
This will happen again
Video of an APD officer brutally assaulting a black man walking home from work shines a harsh light on the reality of our city. But it was enabled by a city that has repeatedly failed to take the depths of racism in its own backyard…
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