In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, co-host Liz Purvis welcomes Durham County Commission Chair Nida Allam. As the first Muslim woman elected to office in North Carolina, Nida shares her journey from her STEM education background to her current political role. She discusses her commitment to equity and justice, her experience getting into politics following an Islamophobic hate crime that left three of her friends dead, and her grassroots activism.

The conversation delves into Nida's advocacy for higher minimum wages, property tax relief, and the unique challenges of governing in Durham County. Nida also offers advice to aspiring young politicians about the importance of mental health, support systems, and coalition-building. Additionally, the episode touches on the broader implications of international and local political issues.

Join Liz and Nida for an inspiring and informative discussion about making meaningful change at the local level.

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, hosted by Gina Baxter and Liz Purvis, the discussion kicks off with a recap of the Democratic Municipal Official Summit and a the biggest Democratic fundraiser in Durham, Bourbon and Bowties.

The hosts dive into the politics of local candidate endorsement processes. They also analyze recent controversies about COVID-19 vaccination accessibility in North Carolina, highlighting Governor Josh Stein's executive order to reduce barriers to vaccination for adults 18-65 with high-risk conditions.

The conversation transitions to discussing federal funding cuts to public broadcasting, emphasizing the critical impact on local journalism and educational resources, particularly in rural areas. To wrap up, Liz shares her excitement about the upcoming seasons of Survivor and the hosts discuss various upcoming Oktoberfest events in North Carolina. The episode concludes with a reminder to participate in early voting and a call to listeners to engage with their community and make positive changes.

This week on The Foxfire Dispatch, Gina is joined by another trailblazing young leader from Western North Carolina: Preston Blakely, the youngest mayor in the state. Together, they dig into their personal journeys into public service, the realities of leading through Hurricane Helene, and why local government is the heartbeat of community resilience. Along the way, we keep it grounded with some lighter moments—including go-to Cookout orders. It’s a conversation about the power of youth, diversity, and everyday leadership in shaping a better South.