With several competitive primaries for the key county commissioner races, we’re seeking your ideas about what to ask the candidates Hello readers, it’s that time again. With a major primary election coming up, the Blade‘s hard at work crafting questions for candidates all across the…

Over its two-day retreat, Asheville City Council set some goals, split on affordable housing, clashed with staff and set the stage for some interesting times ahead Above: the goals of Council members and staff during part of their annual retreat Every year, Asheville City Council…

Transit comes under major scrutiny as activists push for an end to evening hour cuts, the box is banned, questions are raised and, yes, another hotel comes before Council Above: Asheville City Council member Keith Young. File photo by Max Cooper. Welcome back, readers. After…

The future of Asheville’s downtown is in the balance. It’s time to have a much broader discussion about what that future should look like Above: downtown Asheville by night. Photo by Max Cooper Downtown Asheville never really leaves the news. It’s not just the seat…

A divided Council decides on a ‘McKibbon standard’ for new hotels, approving an overhaul of one of downtown’s most notorious buildings Above: Council member Gordon Smith. File photo by Max Cooper. After the hibernation of the holidays, city politics sprang back to life again on Jan.…

Despite misinformation and outright lies, you have a legal right to talk about how much you’re paid. Given Asheville’s catastrophically low wages, it’s time for this culture of silence to end Above: Tupelo Honey’s downtown location. Last year, following wage cuts for support staff at…

With the support of our readers, the Asheville Blade did a lot in 2015 and helped change our city for the better. We aim to do even more this year Above: Fireworks outside City Hall. Photo by Bill Rhodes As winter (finally) arrives, Ashevillians shake…

Ashevillians speak out on what what they’re willing to take at Council’s last meeting of the year, and a time of conflict draws closer Above: Asheville City Council member Julie Mayfield. File photo by Max Cooper. When the new Asheville City Council first met on…

What’s the big deal about the I-26 project? It’s huge, incredibly controversial and could have major impacts — perhaps devastating ones – on Asheville for decades to come Above: This postcard of the Smokey Park Bridge from the 1960s shows sidewalks on both sides of the…

During the Waking Life protests, activists mobilized to fight misogyny and rape culture in our city. Here’s an inside look at what happened, and some important lessons Above: Protesters outside the closed Waking Life coffee shop in September. Photo by Max Cooper. In September, protests and…