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.…

A student who went to last month’s climate march with the Asheville contingent shares their thoughts about what happened and why it matters. Above: Marchers at the Sept. 21 People’s Climate March, which included a sizable Asheville contingent. Photo by Khaetlyn Grindell, used with permission.…

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…

I came north when I was 18, seeking opportunity and fleeing violence. Now the lack of a piece of plastic poses a major obstacle to me living my life Above: sample licenses from the North Carolina DMV for residents qualifying under the federal Deferred Action…

A frank, honest discussion about the state of our city, following the mayor’s Oct. 1 “TED talk” presentation on where Asheville’s going. Above: skyline of downtown looking toward the Flat Iron building, photo by Max Cooper Concluding thoughts, Oct. 5: I’m awed. Since the original…

The twisting tale of how the state legislature sold out our mountains for private gain, why it matters, and what you can do about it Above: a map of potential fracking areas in N.C., map courtesy of WNC Frack Free “We promised the people of…

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…