With a department in trouble a chief departs and Asheville’s city manager starts the search for another. Here’s the first of a two-part series delving into what happened next Above: City Manager Gary Jackson, behind his nametag on the Asheville City Council dais. File photo by Max Cooper. This is

It’s election season and we’re asking for your help, readers, in crafting some hard-hitting questions for the 15 people running for Asheville City Council seats Above: Downtown Asheville by night, photo by Max Cooper It’s that time, readers. As the October primary approaches, you’ll see more forums (the first is

As pushes for higher wages increase, can Asheville pass its own minimum wage? A look at the legal questions and political battles over a key issue Above: Raise Up for 15 protesters near the Biltmore Avenue Hardee’s in April. Partly inspired by that regional labor movement, some locals are now pressing

An end to animal circuses, a push for supporting arts education, the contemplation of stinking parking decks and more as Council tackles a wide variety of topics at its mid-summer meeting Above: Council member Jan Davis, file photo by Max Cooper During Summer, Council meetings come a bit more sparsely

No, Asheville’s government isn’t far-left. That’s absurd. But over the past decade city government’s politics have changed. Here’s an analysis of what actually happened. Above: A pride flag flies from City Hall after the state’s ban on equal marriage was struck down in October. Photo by Max Cooper. As of

Airbnb cues up the lobbyists to push Asheville City Council as the fight over short-term rentals continues, local government considers new rules and the tech giant turns its attention to our city Short-term rentals are, to put it mildly, a controversial topic here. With the explosion of sites like Airbnb

Ashevillians played an important role fighting for marriage equality throughout the region and country. When the Supreme Court decision came down last month, they gathered to celebrate and rally. Above: Pride flags wave in Pack Square on June 26 as locals gather in a rally organized  to celebrate the Supreme

A budget, housing and monuments take center stage at the last Council meeting before the summer break, with more on the horizon Above: Asheville City Council member Gwen Wisler. File photo by Max Cooper. The spring and early summer are typically a big time for local politics. City government —

The Burton Street community faces down I-26 as the controversial interstate plans advance and criticisms about local and state government arise Above: The sign for Burton Street’s community center. Photo by Emily Foley. The Interstate 26 connector project has stirred debate for nearly 20 years between the city of Asheville,

While Council is set to pass a budget tonight, it will still be months before it’s clear if all city workers will actually get a living wage Above: the description of a U.S. Cellular Center job from the city of Asheville’s website last year, paying below a living wage. Asheville