Join us for the Blade’s third Birthday Bash and celebrate three years of journalism, sharp perspectives and fighting for the city we love Above: Fireworks over downtown, photo by Bill Rhodes On June 13, the Blade‘s third anniversary rolled around. While it was perhaps appropriate…

Old wounds, segregation, a lack of transparency and skyrocketing costs all collide as the city’s ambitious plans to overhaul the river district flounder Above: A painting from the cover to the 2004 Wilma Dykeman Riverway plan, depicting part of the imagined future River Arts District.…

The Asheville Blade started three years ago. A look at where we’ve been, what we’re about and what we’re fighting for Above: “Three years of the Blade,” artwork by Wendy Lou I can still remember the feel of the particular kind of paper the Virginian…

A split Council passes a controversial budget and affordable housing deal, showing how the battle lines have shifted after a contentious political season Above: Council member Keith Young vied with his colleagues at the June 13 meeting, criticizing both a city budget than included a…

A public showdown at City Hall sets the stage for the final act of the budget wars and marks the end of a political era Above: Luis Serapio, one of the first interpreters at an Asheville City Council meeting, translating the meeting into Spanish on…

City officials have treated two budget expansions — for police and transit — in ways that are very different and revealing about local government priorities Above: City Hall by night, photo by Max Cooper. Tomorrow, Asheville City Council is set to vote on the City’s…

Stemming from the successful ‘About Asheville’s Government’ presentations, here’s a handy list of resources, links and context about your local government Above: City Hall under renovation, photo by Bill Rhodes Welcome back, readers. I was fortunate enough to engage with many of you during our…

A recent town hall exemplifies the repeated contempt and disdain of several local politicians for Asheville’s non-binary and transgender community, signaling that they do not deserve to hold office Above: State Sen. Terry Van Duyn, at right in white suit, standing alongside activists (including the…

It’s the most contentious budget year in over a decade and as the public ramps up to officially weigh in, many key parts of the city’s $174 million budget remain undetermined or unclear Above: Asheville by night, photo by Bill Rhodes. From policing to the…

How the city backed away from defending renters, the housing crisis fueled segregation, a climate of fear faces tenants and much, much more on a key Asheville issue. An interview with Robin Merrell, Parker Smith and Ben Many of Pisgah Legal Services. Above: Graffiti criticizing…