Ashevillians speak out on what what they’re willing to take at Council’s last meeting of the year, and a time of conflict draws closer Above: Asheville City Council member Julie Mayfield. File photo by Max Cooper. When the new Asheville City Council first met on Dec. 1, it was a

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

During the Waking Life protests, activists mobilized to fight misogyny and rape culture in our city. Here’s an inside look at what happened, and some important lessons Above: Protesters outside the closed Waking Life coffee shop in September. Photo by Max Cooper. In September, protests and organized action followed news of

Rewards! Gift subscriptions! Journalism! All that and more as the Blade launches its winter fund drive so we can keep bringing you the independent journalism our city deserves Season’s greetings, readers. Since our founding last year, the Asheville Blade has brought in-depth journalism, hard-hitting investigations, sharp perspectives and more to

A recently-unveiled collection of photos reveals a new look at black and working class Asheville in the 20th century, and adds a major chapter to the city’s history Above: Photo of an Asheville congregation. All photos from the Isaiah Rice collection, D.H. Ramsey UNCA Special Collection. Used with permission. Isaiah Rice

Three new Council members are sworn in, a vice mayor is chosen, unity is proclaimed and the mayor’s father leads a sing-along Above: the new Council, seated on the dais. From left: Brian Haynes, Gordon Smith, Vice mayor Gwen Wisler, Mayor Esther Manheimer, Cecil Bothwell, Julie Mayfield and Keith Young.

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

For too long the city has neglected the Walton Street park and pool, a place of history and community. It’s time to change that Three months ago, the Southside Community Advisory Board started a petition to save the Walton Street Park/Pool in an effort to galvanize not just the Southside

AirBnB and its ilk (some of them at least) are back before Council as it tries to nail down rules for homestays and three members have their final meeting Above: Vice Mayor Marc Hunt. File photo by Max Cooper. When Asheville City Council members took their place on the dais

A fight over development in Shiloh, a new pact with the chamber and new terms for a major Block project in a packed Council meeting Above: Council member Gordon Smith. File photo by Max Cooper. Welcome back, readers. My apologies for the delay. The venerable, held-together-with-tape charger for our laptop