Asheville’s boards and commissions have a lot of power and shape the whole city. But despite increased interest, they remain whiter, wealthier and more male than the city they represent Above: City Hall by night, photo by Max Cooper This is a collaborative project between the Blade and the Asheville Citizen-Times, investigating the make-up and

The city of Asheville is set to pass a $161 million budget. Here’s what’s in it — and just as important — what isn’t It’s that time of year again, as Asheville City Council will, next week, vote to pass an annual budget, specifically $161 million in this case. You

Tensions escalate over short-term rentals and the city budget as Council decides exactly how far it will go — for now Above: Mayor Esther Manheimer, who cast the deciding vote against allowing Airbnb-style rentals in the city’s garage and basement apartments Rowdy is not usually a word used to describe

From Airbnb to city boards, too much of our politics focuses on property owners, but renters are half the city’s population. It’s time to listen to them seriously. City Hall under renovation. Photo by Bill Rhodes. If you haven’t heard, Airbnb and its ilk are back in the news, as

The Lee Walker Heights overhaul is one of the largest housing deals in Asheville’s history. It just took a major step forward, as the city also cut a deal with Duke. A look at the complicated history of power, poverty and race behind the project Above: The Lee Walker question,

Asheville’s City Attorney has consistently taken stances against basic government transparency. It’s time for Council, and the people, to demand better of a major public servant Above: Asheville City Attorney Robin Currin. File photo by Max Cooper. Recent events in Asheville have turned an eye, for a moment, towards an

Council condemns HB2 after some last-minute changes, sketches out the coming budget and gives the go-ahead for a major greenway, over some opposition. Also: bear selfies. Above: Anti-HB2 protesters move onto the space near the Vance Monument after a smaller, pro-HB2 demonstration leaves on April 2. Photo by Max Cooper.

Council gets a first look at the budget, hikes (some) fees, checks up on short-term rentals and tries to take a swing at (eventually) solving West Asheville’s parking crunch Above: Asheville City Council member Gordon Smith. File photo by Max Cooper. By the time Asheville City Council settled in for

The sweeping effects of HB2, the local response and a look at how Asheville and North Carolina got to this point Above: Opponents of HB2 gather on March 24 to express their opposition to the bill. Photos by Bill Rhodes. It was a windy, grey afternoon last Thursday when 100 people

After Charlotte passes extensive LGBT protections, it’s a matter of question if Asheville City Council will do the same in the near future Above: A pride flag flies from City Hall in 2014 after a federal court struck down the state’s ban on equal marriage. Photo by Max Cooper. On Monday