Not Just Headlines

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Hannah Preston, founder and executive director of Influence NC, a nonpartisan organization revolutionizing how young people engage with politics in North Carolina through social media. Hannah shares her journey from working in public health policy to quitting her job and starting a nonprofit that has grown from 6 creators to nearly 100...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Kyah Creekmore, who at just 23 years old, launched a congressional campaign in North Carolina's 5th District. Kyah shares his unconventional journey into politics, running a grassroots campaign with minimal resources that ultimately captured over 43% of the primary vote against an opponent who raised 33 times more money. This conversat...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Sally and Moriah from the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center to break down everything you need to know about North Carolina's state budget. They explain the budget process from start to finish, why North Carolina has been operating without a new budget for multiple years, and what that means for everyday North Carolinians. Key Topics C...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Irving Allen. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4 💬 What questions do y...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council Mayoral Candidate Robbie Perkins. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1Election Day: Nov. 4💬 What questions do yo...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Marikay Abuzuaiter. She shares her priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4 💬 What questio...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Irving Allen. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4 💬 What questions do y...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Richard Beard. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4 💬 What questions do...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Hugh Holston. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1Election Day: Nov. 4💬 What questions do you...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Jamilla Pinder. She shares her priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4 💬 What questions d...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council District 5 candidates Tammi Thurm and Jeannette Davidson-Mayer. They share their priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council District 4 candidates Adam Marshall and Nicky Smith. They share their priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council District 3 candidates Zack Matheny and April Parker. They share their priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4...

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council District 2 candidates Cecile Crawford & Monica Walker. They share their priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov....

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council District 1 candidates Crystal Black and Sharon Hightower. They share their priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: N...

a new chapter begins....

In this episode, Lily Oatis speaks with Carly Cooke, a current Commissioner on the Guilford County Board representing District 5. Carly brings over 20 years of experience in Guilford County, along with a background in business and a focus on public education advocacy. We’ll discuss her journey into public service and what her role entails. Join us as we explore the essentials of local politics, on...

In each episode, we’ll sit down with candidates and political figures to uncover the stories behind the headlines. This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Elaine Marshall, North Carolina's first female Secretary of State. With a rich background in law and public service, Elaine shares her journey, the challenges she faced as a trailblazer for women in politics, and how her office connects with young...

In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Grafstein, a civil rights lawyer and the current NC Senator for District 13. We’ll discuss her motivations for running for office, the impact of the North Carolina General Assembly’s composition on issues important to young voters, and the core values driving her campaign. We’ll also explore how Lisa plans to work across party lines to achieve meaningful chang...

In this episode, we sit down with Ed Eldred, a candidate for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He shares his insights on the purpose of the court, the responsibilities of a judge, and how he plans to influence the lives of young people in North Carolina. Join us as we unpack the complexities of the judicial system, one interview at a time. Don’t miss the chance to empower yourself with knowledg...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lorenza Wilkins, a servant leader with over three decades of experience across private, public, and social sectors. Dr. Wilkins, an advocate for youth development, shares her vision for fully funding public schools, expanding access to capital for small businesses, protecting women’s reproductive rights, and investing in mental health resources. Join us as we...

Welcome back to Not Just Headlines! I’m your hostess with the moistest, Lily Oatis. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Pricey Harrison, who’s running for re-election in NC House District 61. With a history in the North Carolina House since 2004, Pricey has tackled big issues like climate justice, gun violence prevention, and public school support. We’ll dive into her long journey in politics—wh...

In this episode of Not Just Headlines, we talk with Braxton Winston who is running for North Carolina's Commissioner of Labor. Our guest shares his vision for transforming North Carolina into the nation's top state for both business and workers. He argues that fostering a thriving business environment and supporting worker rights are not mutually exclusive goals. Tune in to hear how he plans to ba...

Are you curious about how local politics can impact your everyday life? This episode is tailor-made for you! We're diving into the pivotal role of North Carolina's Insurance Commissioner—a position that directly influences insurance rates, coverage transparency, and claim reliability. Join us as we talk with Natasha Marcus, a senator running for the role of Insurance Commissioner. Natasha sheds li...

In this episode of Not Just Headlines, we sit down with Safiyah Jackson, a candidate for North Carolina House District 37, to discuss her platform and vision for the district. Safiyah shares her goals, key policy positions, and the driving factors behind her campaign. Join us for an in-depth conversation as we explore her plans for addressing local issues, her approach to governance, and what she...