A growing backlash against city staff, pit of despair vexations, downed trees, arcane communication strategies and a busking agreement as Council heads towards Halloween (and Election Day) Above: A slide from a presentation at the Oct. 25 Council meeting about the so-called “Pit of Despair” across from the Basilica of St.

Hundreds of Ashevillians showed up to protest Donald Trump’s Sept. 12 rally, running into the thousands that showed up for the event. Here are scenes from that day Above: Protesters and police outside the Civic Center entrance during the Sept. 12 Trump rally. Photos by Max Cooper Earlier this week,

Lessons from Council’s summer days. South Asheville organizes, process woes send bus system plans back to the drawing board, the bond vote moves forward and policing comes under serious scrutiny Above: Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. File photo by Max Cooper. Summer, including this particular, blistering one, is an unusual time

On July 2, an APD officer shot and killed Jerry Williams. What’s known, what isn’t and what’s behind the public reaction that followed Above: Demonstrators embrace during a July 9 march through downtown. Photo by Micah Mackenzie On July 2, around 7:12 p.m., Asheville Police Department Sgt. Tyler Radford shot

Local Elmer Reynoso faces deportation as ICE increases raids on families and communities. Now, locals are rallying to get him back with his family Above: Bruno Hinojosa speaks at a June 20 press conference and rally in front of the federal building in downtown Asheville, calling for ICE to stop

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,

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

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,