Category: News

City government will finally pay a living wage to all its employees. But the worker who raised concerns in the first place was fired. Above: Lauren Bacchus, a U.S. Cellular Center worker who raised concerns late last year about a lack of living wage for workers…

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…

Communities bring forward a mix of topics — from saving a downtown forest to cat cafes — with varying reactions from Council Above: Vice Mayor Marc Hunt. File photo by Max Cooper. With the huge fight over short-term rentals dying down (at least for a bit),…

The short-term rental issue hits City Hall with a contentious debate, as Council tries to put the brakes on Airbnb and its ilk Above: Mayor Esther Manheimer, who vociferously defended the city’s ban on short-term rentals in most neighborhoods and the need to be careful…

After months of debate stepped-up fines on short-term rentals — and relaxed rules on residents renting out rooms — go to Council tonight. But a decision might be delayed due to concerns about how to grapple with a rapidly-changing issue Above: The logo for Airbnb,…

With a department in trouble a chief departs and Asheville’s city manager starts the search for another. Here’s the first of a two-part series delving into what happened next Above: City Manager Gary Jackson, behind his nametag on the Asheville City Council dais. File photo…

It’s election season and we’re asking for your help, readers, in crafting some hard-hitting questions for the 15 people running for Asheville City Council seats Above: Downtown Asheville by night, photo by Max Cooper It’s that time, readers. As the October primary approaches, you’ll see…

As pushes for higher wages increase, can Asheville pass its own minimum wage? A look at the legal questions and political battles over a key issue Above: Raise Up for 15 protesters near the Biltmore Avenue Hardee’s in April. Partly inspired by that regional labor movement,…

An end to animal circuses, a push for supporting arts education, the contemplation of stinking parking decks and more as Council tackles a wide variety of topics at its mid-summer meeting Above: Council member Jan Davis, file photo by Max Cooper During Summer, Council meetings…

Airbnb cues up the lobbyists to push Asheville City Council as the fight over short-term rentals continues, local government considers new rules and the tech giant turns its attention to our city Short-term rentals are, to put it mildly, a controversial topic here. With the…