In this special bonus episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis from The Foxfire Dispatch and CJ Robinson and Adrian Brakeley from The Left of Old North reflect on the outcomes of the recent North Carolina municipal elections. We celebrate significant Democratic wins in various races, discuss the strategies that led to increased voter turnout, and share personal experiences and setups during election night.

The conversation also delves into the broader political landscape, touching on national events, grassroots organizing, and the importance of addressing affordability and everyday issues in future campaigns. Join Liz, CJ, and Adrian as we analyze the election results and what they mean for the road to the 2026 elections.

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis interviews James Whalen, a Democratic candidate running in the March '26 primary for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. We discuss Whalen's background as a former state DOJ attorney and his motivation for reforming the state’s appellate courts.

Whalen shares his experiences defending voter rights, his perspectives on education funding, and the importance of judicial decisions in everyday lives. The conversation highlights the generational shift needed in the judiciary and ends with a fun lightning round to get to know Whalen better.

Join us as we dive deep into judicial reform and its impact on the future of North Carolina.

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis and CJ Robinson, host of Left of Old North, delve into the national implications of recent races, focusing on Supreme Court races in New York and Pennsylvania, and Virginia's gubernatorial win by Abigail Spanberger.

They celebrate the election of Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in Virginia. The discussion touches on the significant impact of Prop 50 in California as a response to Texas gerrymandering and the importance of quick election result reporting.

Liz and CJ also explore the critical role of canvassing, phone banking, and the need for sustainable infrastructure in electoral campaigns. The episode highlights the successes of young Democrats in local elections and stresses the importance of volunteer efforts. As they look forward, they emphasize the need for consistent, authentic messaging and the importance of translating local electoral wins into long-term power while retaining hope and realism.

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis chats with Hannah Preston from Influence NC. They delve into Hannah's work with Influence NC, a recently launched initiative aimed at engaging legislators with social media, and engaging Gen-Z North Carolinians in politics through social media. They discuss the importance of making voting accessible and exciting, the generational perspectives on politics, and the challenges young people face today. The conversation also touches on personal stories, fun event recaps, and the significance of vibrant and joyful political engagement.

In this special Halloween episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis takes listeners on a tour through North Carolina's most haunted locations. From the glamorous Grove Park Inn's resident ghost, the Pink Lady, to the eerie Brown Mountain Lights, Liz explores both well-known and obscure spooky spots across the state.

Listeners will journey to the Henry River Mill Village, the mysterious Devil's Tramping Ground, and the haunted coastline of the Outer Banks. This episode diverges from the podcast's usual political focus, delving into the rich, ghostly history of North Carolina and touching on broader themes of memory, loss, and the unending connection between the past and present.

Welcome to the first mini episode of The Foxfire Dispatch hosted by Gina Baxter, a local elected official from Western North Carolina, and Liz Purvis, a progressive organizer in Granville County, North Carolina. In this episode, they delve into the Hatch Act, discussing its origins, significance, and recent relevance concerning government shutdowns and allegations of its violation. The hosts also share their perspectives on the intersection of politics and local governance, highlighting the importance of ethical behavior and examining party endorsement processes. The episode concludes with a rant about political divisiveness and the need for a multi-party system and ranked choice voting to foster a healthier democracy.

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, hosts Liz and Gina kick off with a light-hearted discussion on Taylor Swift’s new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, sharing their personal connections to her music. As the conversation shifts, they delve into the current turmoil within North Carolina, highlighting the complications of the state’s budget crisis, the impact on Medicaid funding, and the ongoing debacle of redrawing congressional maps. They underscore the urgency of civic engagement during these pressing times and the importance of holding elected officials accountable. The episode concludes with a feminist poem from Yemeni American poet Threa Almontaser, exploring themes of identity and culture. Join Liz and Gina for an insightful mix of pop culture and pressing political issues in North Carolina.

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.