Democrats, including two local legislators and Asheville’s mayor, ignore civil rights groups and cave on HB2, leaving the law practically intact. With its roots in earlier ‘compromises’ by our city’s leaders, this politically incompetent and morally bankrupt act is something no one should forgive or forget Above: Anti-HB2 protesters in

Another year, another legislator trying to force a change in city elections. A primer on the latest plan, the local reaction and what it might mean Above: Proposed Asheville City Council districts under last year’s failed state Senate bill. A state legislator is now reviving these districts if local government

Once again, a state legislator plans to force district elections on Asheville and the Airbnb issue reopens, in a Council meeting marked by old battles coming back for another round Above: Mayor Esther Manheimer, file photo by Max Cooper. The Feb. 28 Asheville City Council meeting, relatively brief as it was,

For the first time in its 135-year history, WNC’s Central Labor Council is bringing together local unions in a united effort to get out the vote. A look behind local labor’s push to get people to the polls. Above: Representatives from local unions gather for a group photo during recent

Council votes, reluctantly, for a developer’s relocation deal and sets the stage for some upcoming conflicts over transit, elections and more Above: Vice Mayor Gwen Wisler. File photo by Max Cooper. One of the biggest votes of the year passed without much remark in Asheville City Council’s chambers on June 14,

A bill passed by the state legislature would harm immigrants and their families and take the state in a hateful direction. Locals should encourage the governor to veto this legislation Above: A small group of locals rally Oct. 5 to encourage a veto of HB 318. Photo from COLA Earlier this

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

Despite a GOP tide, Buncombe sees Democratic upsets and major changes to the local political landscape. Here’s what it means. Above: An election worker brings a data card containing a precinct’s results into the Buncombe County Board of Elections late Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Rhodes. The polls close and from around the

The twisting tale of how the state legislature sold out our mountains for private gain, why it matters, and what you can do about it Above: a map of potential fracking areas in N.C., map courtesy of WNC Frack Free “We promised the people of North Carolina we were not

The annual topless “rally” is an overhyped farce. But the reaction from government and business leaders is far, far worse. Above: One of the topless rally attendees — and onlookers — at the 2011 event. Photo by Max Cooper. It’s that time again. Every year (for the past three), the