Category: News

An in-depth interview with Todd Williams, Democratic candidate for District Attorney, about priorities, the role of law enforcement and more. District Attorney is arguably the most powerful single local elected position, overseeing prosecution and exercising a great deal of discretion over how the law is…

Asheville City Council mulls affordable housing solutions, forms ‘innovation districts’ in three neighborhoods and continues its long contemplation of graffiti Above: the borders for the South Slope “innovation district” Asheville City Council passed Oct. 14 Some of the biggest news at Asheville City Council’s Oct.…

Powerful images from the day marriage equality finally reached North Carolina, starting with Asheville and the state’s first legal same-sex marriage Above: A pride flag displayed on City Hall Photo by Max Cooper. Yesterday, after years of activism, court cases and campaigning, U.S. District Court Judge…

In a packed three hours, Asheville City Council hits issues including burying power lines, housing, graffiti and the surveillance of protesters Above: power lines over a stretch of grass behind the Aloft Hotel and city parking deck at 51 Biltmore Avenue. The city will pay $250,000…

After buskers mobilize against possible restrictions on their art, an Asheville Council committee decides not to pursue new rules further. Above: buskers fill the room before yesterday’s meeting of Asheville City Council’s Public Safety Committee. Photo by Max Cooper. Usually, Asheville City Council’s committee meetings…

With new restrictions possible, Asheville’s buskers become the latest flashpoint in the debate over the future of downtown and its culture. Above: The Stillwater Hobos performing in a still from Erin Derham’s documentary Buskin Blues. The movie delves into Asheville’s busking culture at a time when…

With the city of Asheville considering more incentives for “affordable” and “workforce” housing, it’s worth looking at what that means. Above: An image from the city of Asheville’s documents of the proposed site of 32 “workforce” housing units on the back of the Aloft Hotel…

As Asheville catches TIGER grants and plans big changes, a look at city government’s long grapple with the infrastructure beast Above: an image of Riverside Drive and the front of the city’s development plan. The staff and elected officials of the city of Asheville were…

Despite concerns about affordability and process, Asheville City Council votes for higher-than-average incentives for the 209 unit RAD Lofts project. Above: The site of the future RAD Lofts development, with dissenting graffiti painted on its sign. By the time the RAD Lofts project came to…

A local rally protests police brutality, shows support for Ferguson residents and pushes for a ‘Mike Brown Law’ requiring cops to wear cameras. Above: Shanita Jackson, one of the organizers of the rally against police brutality, holds a sign while surrounded by other protesters. Photo…