Jessica Wakeman
Writer + editor
Asheville, North Carolina-based reporter and editor with over 19 years experience covering politics, culture and health, with a solutions journalism focus. Reach me at jessica dot wakeman at gmail dot com.
The Guardian
Hurricane Helene Destroyed Asheville’s Flourishing Arts Community. Can They Rebuild What Was Lost?
The River Arts District attracted artists with cheap rents. With buildings flattened, the community fears a land grab.
patreon.com
How Choire Sicha Is Steering Style in a Crisis
The man behind the curtain of the New York Times’s most innovative section emerged fully formed from the Internet. But the Style section's reputation for lightness is running up against our chaotic moment.
theassemblync.com
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. Residents wonder what will be left.
theassemblync.com
‘Of Course People are Yelling’: Rep. Chuck Edwards Faces Protesters at Asheville Town Hall
At a raucous town hall on March 14, Rep. Chuck Edwards told constituents he supports abolishing the U.S. Department of Education and defunding USAID, believes Elon Musk has “brought a lot of smart people” to the federal government, and can get behind “a deal” with Ukraine to “recoup” the cost of U.S. military support.
Rolling Stone
‘Put Your Head Down, Help Each Other Out’: Inside Asheville’s Helene Response
Helene’s destruction and the need for immediate response has activated a community long considered to be so-called blue dot in a red sea to provide care for their neighbors while they wait for aid to arrive.
theassemblync.com
FEMA Extends Temporary Hotel Stays, But Not Without Widespread Confusion
Even Helene survivors who’ve benefited from FEMA programs feel exhausted by the effort that’s gone into making phone calls and navigating red tape.
theassemblync.com
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards Accused of Hitting Man At Rotary Event
This story is co-published with Talking Points Memo.
A regional Rotary conference in Asheville on Saturday night appears to have ended with a confrontation between Western North Carolina’s U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and an unknown man, with witnesses attesting that the congressman struck the attendee.
Glamour
Men Who Scream at Work Aren't "Passionate." They're Abusive.
The toxic effect of verbal harassment in the office.
Bustle
The Women Of Democratic Socialism Prove The Movement Isn't Just A Bunch Of Sexist White Guys
Meet the young women joining the Democratic Socialist movement in the wake of the 2016 election.
New York Magazine
A Beginner’s Guide to Danielle LaPorte, Shailene Woodley’s Self-Help Guru
The woo is strong in this one.
The Guardian
‘They Regress’: Kids Struggle Without School and Structure After Helene
Asheville families cope as experts say learning disruptions caused by hurricane can set children back for years.
damemagazine.com
Why Are So Many Women Crowdsourcing Their Healthcare?
“The problem is when you turn to an online community, you have no idea what information you’re really getting.”
Mountain Xpress
Neighborhood Backlash Derails North Asheville Emergency Shelter
Misinformation, inadequate communication and unsubstantiated fears have scuttled plans to offer temporary shelter for homeless people at a North Asheville church.
Mountain Xpress
NC's 12-week Abortion Ban Adds Layers of Red Tape
North Carolina's SB 20, which went into effect July 1, 2023, bans most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. In the case of rape or incest, abortion is allowed up to 20 weeks.