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Sulfur-gate
The coal-fired Asheville power plant is causing dangerous air pollution. It’s time for locals to push to rein Duke Energy in and protect our air. Above: the Asheville power plant. Photo from the Beyond Coal campaign. Every three to four days, communities downwind of Duke Energy’s Lake Julian facility— including parts
The silence from City Hall
Once again, an important request for public records faces lengthy, unexplained delays from the city of Asheville. It’s time for this disturbing pattern to end Above: City Hall, file photo by Max Cooper. Update: The city of Asheville does track records of police complaints in annual internal affairs audits. On Friday,
No more
It’s time to bring the focus on violence against trans people as the Fix Society movement pushes locally for justice, better services and an end to hate Above: A flier for the recent Fix Society rally and forum in Asheville. Photo by Jennifer M. Barge. The Fix Society movement is
From Appalachia to Ferguson
A conversation with activist Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson about regional solidarity, organizing for justice and how Asheville can win its struggles Above: Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson during the Chattanooga Day of Resistance protests. Photo by Jared Story. A few years ago, some might have asked why a two-day training from a young
Who represents downtown?
Despite the regard given them by local government, the Downtown Association has some very controversial positions and only speaks for a sliver of this changing area. Who actually represents the city’s core is a much larger — and overdue — question. Above: Fireworks over downtown Asheville, photo by Bill Rhodes.
These streets aren’t made for walking
Despite Asheville’s aspirations of being a first-rate city, this is a place dangerously focused around cars. How that happened and how we can change it. Above: A pedestrian tries to navigate Tunnel Road. Photo by Don Kostelec Human beings are designed for walking. Our streets are not. This was evident
I believe in justice
A recent immigration executive order promises to give relief to hardworking families, including mine. That’s now in limbo, but we fought to get here and we’ll keep fighting for justice Con cariño Victoria comparte a su gente en Español Above: An image from the Not 1 More anti-deportation campaign, which
I tried to make a life in Asheville
I was drawn to Asheville by hopes for happiness, a supportive community and education. I found low pay and few opportunities before I was forced to leave Above: Downtown Asheville at night, photo by Bill Rhodes This is the latest in our Leaving Asheville series, featuring the stories and perspectives
Is Asheville the next union city?
As Asheville struggles with low wages and bad working conditions, thoughts on what might have to change for it become a union city Above: Johaunna Cromer and her son Tejuan at the recent HKonJ march in Raleigh. Cromer, a local fast-food worker, has joined with the labor advocacy group Raise
Watch the retreat
Behind a very general agenda, two meals and lots of debate over wording, Asheville’s leaders are about make some big decisions for the year Above: City hall by moonlight. Photo by Max Cooper. It’s not on the main page of the city’s website. Or their calendar of meetings (though the agenda