What’s the big deal about the I-26 project? It’s huge, incredibly controversial and could have major impacts — perhaps devastating ones – on Asheville for decades to come Above: This postcard of the Smokey Park Bridge from the 1960s shows sidewalks on both sides of the bridge with connections on the

With a new Council on the way, here’s a look at Asheville’s government, what it does and how you can change it Above: City Hall by night, photo by Max Cooper. Today three new Asheville City Council members — Keith Young, Brian Haynes and Julie Mayfield — will be sworn

Behind the results of election night upsets, the most closely-fought race Asheville’s seen in many years and the beginning of an era of conflict Above: Campaign signs outside the Board of Elections during early voting. Well, that was interesting. In a few hours last night, local electoral norms shattered and

Inside the results of the Asheville City Council primary, what it means and the showdown the results have set up The voters (about 13 percent of them anyway) have spoken: last night, six Asheville City Council candidates made it past the primary. Julie Mayfield, Brian Haynes, Vice Mayor Marc Hunt, Keith

Local government’s biggest — and most underrated — public hearing of the year happens tomorrow. Inside the city’s $154 million budget, from tax hikes to living wage, why it matters and what it means Above: City Hall under renovation, photo by Bill Rhodes. It’s easy, for those watching the goings-on

Federal statistics puncture myths about Asheville’s wages, which are staying stagnant, rising slowly or even declining in key sectors as the cost of living sharply increases Above: The skyline of downtown Asheville. Photo by Max Cooper. Every May, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics releases detailed breakdowns of pay for

A deeper look at short-term rentals and how, in the hands of the wealthy, they will hollow out our city — something that’s already happened around the country Above: Part of the Carolina Lane/Chicken Alley area, where some former apartments have been turned into short-term rentals The “sharing economy,” as

Whooping cough is making a local comeback. More on this once-defeated disease, why it’s returning and how our society’s frayed Above: The Bortedella pertussis bacteria that causes whooping cough, image from the Center for Disease Control Whooping cough is an easy disease to ignore. With its Seussical name and propensity

Concerns, fears, mutual applause and setting the stage  for the biggest political fight Asheville’s seen in a long time, all at this year’s Council retreat Above: Council members’ notes, on the banquet room wall, about what accomplishments they’re proud of. This past Friday, Asheville City Council, several ranks of city

There’s a major debate about the future of Asheville’s public housing. Here’s a regularly updated account of what’s happening and why it matters. Above: a 1964 booklet from the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville touting “urban renewal” programs. The devastating impact of that program continues to cast a