Beyond the glamour of Asheville’s name and the millions spent on PR lies an industry that is anything but natural or generous. As more locals are underpaid and pushed out, we must delve into the history of Asheville elites’ obsession with tourism, its ties to…

Water lines break, City Hall’s communications fail, the public’s questions go unanswered and locals are left wondering if the water’s safe to drink Above: documents from a press packet handed out by city officials this afternoon, depicting a somewhat sunnier picture (and clearer water) than…

Behind the controversies that weren’t discussed, the Airbnb presentation that wasn’t presented and the closed door dilemmas looming over a brief, bizarre Asheville City Council meeting  Above: Asheville City Council. File photo by Max Cooper As a place where systems of power touch the ground, a local…

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…

Gift subscriptions! Awesome stuff from great local places! A chance to keep local journalism fighting into the next year! All this and more as the Blade thanks our readers for their support Yes readers, it’s that time of year again. The Blade relies on the…

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…

Fascists recently doxed Asheville activists in an attempt to intimidate them. But the community is refusing to back down, and want locals to know how they can help support the fight against violent bigotry Above: signs at an anti-fascist demonstration in September 2017 that prevented…

Facing growing public pressure, Asheville’s police chief finally heads for the exit. A look at the damaging legacy of the city’s most-despised public official — and what a way forward might look like Above: Outgoing Asheville Police Department Chief Tammy Hooper. File photo by Max…