Category: News

As public pressure to fight a state-imposed racist gerrymander mounts, Council finally breaks their silence, revealing more delays and refusing to challenge a part of the law giving them another year in office Above: Mayor Esther Manheimer, who finally responded to mounting public outcry about…

The giant 1920s-era murals in City Hall are drenched in an ugly racist history, depicting a mythical all-white Appalachia and a glorification of genocide. It’s time for them to go. Above: ‘The White Man’s Family Council’ (yes, that is actually its name), the Clifford Addams…

Despite claims of a new era of transparency, the selection of one of Asheville’s most powerful jobs — city attorney — is being decided behind closed doors, with no public input and few clear answers Above: A binder of city attorney candidates and a confidentiality…

Will there be a city election next year? Will it use racist gerrymanders pushed by the state? Will City Hall fight back? What happens if they don’t? A look at the big questions looming over local politics. Above: City Hall by night. Photo by Max…

The Blade asks the hard questions about corruption charges, the A-B Tech cash, rural development, ending de facto segregation, trans rights and more. One candidate responds. It is, as you’ve all probably heard by this point, a particularly important election season. But while state and…

Name: Amanda Edwards Profession: Executive (oversees administration, programs, and strategic plan) In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Lifelong Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: To put my county management and executive public service skills to work to…

A breaking transit system, an attempt to sweep the Rush attack under the rug, an early start to budget battles, land use wrangling and the public comment that wasn’t Above: Pictures taken by bus drivers of a major oil leak on an Asheville transit system…

In a new feature focusing on the tally of Asheville City Council’s latest doings, we look at a bus system overhaul, a grassroots push for community space and the ongoing battle over policing and racism Above: A map of proposed overhauls to Asheville’s bus system.…

The return of a state plan to gerrymander city elections and break black voting power gets a surprising boost from a Democratic senator — and sets the stage for a major civil rights fight Above: A map of gerrymandered Asheville City Council election districts in…

The choice facing Asheville is clear. In fights over NAACP reforms and the annual budget, City Hall is ground zero for the long-brewing fight between pushes for reform and the city’s historic racism, now openly backed and defended by the police chief and law enforcement…