Three major political issues — wrangling over the budget, short-term rentals and the ‘Pit of Despair’ — take center stage for Council, but many answers wait for another day Above: a slide on ending the ‘Pit of Despair’ reputation of the city property across from the Basilica, presented in December

A student who went to last month’s climate march with the Asheville contingent shares their thoughts about what happened and why it matters. Above: Marchers at the Sept. 21 People’s Climate March, which included a sizable Asheville contingent. Photo by Khaetlyn Grindell, used with permission. We were 400,000 strong, marching