Zeb Smathers knows the future of his town is riding on him. His own political ambitions depend on that success.
Jessica Wakeman
Jessica Wakeman is an Assembly contributing writer based in Asheville.
Posted inCulture
Small Town, Big Pride
Flamy Grant lived in fear growing up in Western North Carolina. Now She’s taking center stage.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Protester Banned From U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards’ McDonald’s Properties
Candler resident Leslie Boyd got the notice after she and other activists played a protest song inside a Hendersonville McDonald’s.
Posted inArt
Drawing from Real Life
“Islands in the Sky” depicts Hurricane Helene through survivors’ stories—with the help of some nationally recognized comic artists.
Posted inPlace
Lost and Found
Meet the teams working to reunite people with mementos they lost during Hurricane Helene.
Posted inPlace
In Asheville, a Natural Disaster and a Housing Crisis Collide
The city saw an increase in the number of people living on the street after Helene. For some, it was their first brush with homelessness.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Flag Burning With a Side of Potato Salad
An anarchist bookstore collective burned American flags in response to Trump’s executive order against flag burning.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Pride Cometh Before The Fall
After a two-year fight over LGBTQ books and displays, Yancey County is pulling its public library out of a regional system.
Posted inPolitics & Government
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards Accused of Hitting Man At Rotary Event
The rumor mill has been churning over allegations Edwards struck an audience member at the “Peace in Action” conference.
Posted inPolitics & Government
‘Of Course People are Yelling’: Rep. Chuck Edwards Faces Protesters at Asheville Town Hall
The GOP lawmaker’s answers were tough to hear over disruptions from the crowd of about 300 people.
