A state legislator’s trying to drastically gerrymander Asheville’s city elections. Here’s why that push matters, and where it comes from Above: A list of census blocks making up the proposed Council districts in state legislation that would force Asheville to switch to a district system. On June 22, state Sen.

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

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

An important correction, in light of additional evidence, about the misidentification of Isaac Dickson in historic photographs with Theodore Roosevelt Above: bodyguard Frank Tyree, at left, with President Theodore Roosevelt while he reviews the Chickamauga battlefield, 1902. New evidence has led local researchers and historians to identify this as a

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 —

[IMPORTANT: additional evidence and research has revealed that the figure identified as Isaac Dickson in this piece was instead Roosevelt bodyguard Frank Tyree. For more on this correction, see here.] Recently found images of legendary African-American leader Isaac Dickson with Theodore Roosevelt shed new light on an important chapter in

Locals gather to mark the end of slavery in Asheville and educate about oft-forgotten history at a site that’s still the topic of debate and controversy today Above: local activist and poet DeWayne Barton speaks at the From Slavery to Freedom teach-in and event. Photo by Fred Meyer. On Sunday, April

The historian and UNCA professor on African-Americans in WNC, facing the reality of American tragedy and the importance of power and democracy in public spaces Above: Darin Waters speaking at a Martin Luther King Day event at Kenilworth Presbyterian. Photo by Max Cooper. From informing Ashevillians about the reality of

An e-cigarette ban, delayed public hearings, repairing the Vance Monument and background checks for school board members in an unusually short Asheville City Council meeting Above: Council member Jan Davis, file photo by Max Cooper. “Short” is a relative term when it comes to Asheville City Council meetings. A lot’s

As Asheville struggles with low wages and bad working conditions, thoughts on what might have to change for it become a union city Above: Johaunna Cromer and her son Tejuan at the recent HKonJ march in Raleigh. Cromer, a local fast-food worker, has joined with the labor advocacy group Raise