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),…

With poor wages and working conditions a major problem in Asheville, Labor Day is an excellent time to look at some changes Above: The fight for the eight-hour working day rallied workers around the world. Image via Wikimedia. It’s Labor Day. In Asheville it’s a…

While City Council wrangled over short-term rentals and the future of the city, I sat with the crowd in an overflow room. Here’s what I witnessed Above: City Hall under renovation, file photo by Bill Rhodes. The Aug. 25 Asheville City Council meeting saw a…

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…

No, Asheville’s government isn’t far-left. That’s absurd. But over the past decade city government’s politics have changed. Here’s an analysis of what actually happened. Above: A pride flag flies from City Hall after the state’s ban on equal marriage was struck down in October. Photo…