The twisting tale of how the state legislature sold out our mountains for private gain, why it matters, and what you can do about it Above: a map of potential fracking areas in N.C., map courtesy of WNC Frack Free “We promised the people of North Carolina we were not

In a packed three hours, Asheville City Council hits issues including burying power lines, housing, graffiti and the surveillance of protesters Above: power lines over a stretch of grass behind the Aloft Hotel and city parking deck at 51 Biltmore Avenue. The city will pay $250,000 to bury the lines so

After buskers mobilize against possible restrictions on their art, an Asheville Council committee decides not to pursue new rules further. Above: buskers fill the room before yesterday’s meeting of Asheville City Council’s Public Safety Committee. Photo by Max Cooper. Usually, Asheville City Council’s committee meetings don’t see a particularly large

With new restrictions possible, Asheville’s buskers become the latest flashpoint in the debate over the future of downtown and its culture. Above: The Stillwater Hobos performing in a still from Erin Derham’s documentary Buskin Blues. The movie delves into Asheville’s busking culture at a time when the city’s considering changing its

With the city of Asheville considering more incentives for “affordable” and “workforce” housing, it’s worth looking at what that means. Above: An image from the city of Asheville’s documents of the proposed site of 32 “workforce” housing units on the back of the Aloft Hotel in downtown. On Tuesday, Sept.

As Asheville catches TIGER grants and plans big changes, a look at city government’s long grapple with the infrastructure beast Above: an image of Riverside Drive and the front of the city’s development plan. The staff and elected officials of the city of Asheville were in high spirits last Friday.

Every city has illusions about its culture. Here’s a list of Asheville’s, because it’s time we started facing our myths Above: Hieronymus Bosch’s “The Conjuror,” with a crowd getting their pockets picked while they watch an illusionist perform. Asheville’s got its own magic, a spell it casts that brings people

Pay is terrible in Asheville because there’s often no real protection for workers’ rights. To fix that, this city needs unions. Above: The rights assured to all workers under federal law, a key part of what unions help to enforce. Asheville has a wage problem, and a bad one. We’re making

Readers and supporters, come visit the Asheville Blade’s booth at the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival. We’ll have prizes, sign up subscribers and show our thanks for your support. Above: Your decidedly unphotogenic editor, taking a break from a weekend of journalism to set up the Asheville Blade booth.

Despite concerns about affordability and process, Asheville City Council votes for higher-than-average incentives for the 209 unit RAD Lofts project. Above: The site of the future RAD Lofts development, with dissenting graffiti painted on its sign. By the time the RAD Lofts project came to Asheville City Council last night,