Under the Dome

Host Dawn Vaughan and WUNC's Colin Campbell talk about how the 2025 long legislative session is going, especially with Republican House Speaker Destin Hall at the helm for the first time. They discuss what and how policy, procedures, politics — and yet, even the schedule — is different under Hall compared to former House Speaker Tim Moore, who is now in Congress. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Colin Campbell Producer: Gabriella Hartlaub Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here.Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Dawn Vaughan interviews North Carolina Rep. Allen Chesser of Nash County about the family tragedy that led to his run for the state House, and the status of his bill about foster care, and why he recruited Democratic Rep. Vernetta Alston to cosponsor. Stay tuned until the end for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Rep. Allen Chesser Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, host Dawn Vaughan talks with McClatchy DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Congress' Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for the state, plus the roles of Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Danielle Battaglia Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Tine became North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles commissioner on May 6, taking over a state agency known mostly these days for long lines and poor customer service. This episode includes highlights from an interview with Tine. He sat down with The News & Observer's transportation reporter Richard Stradling on Friday, May 9, 2025, his fourth day in office. The interview has been edited for clarity. Reporter: Richard Stradling Guest: Paul Tine Recording: Kaitlin McKeown Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Dawn Vaughan is joined by K-12 education reporter T. Keung Hui and politics reporter Avi Bajpai to discuss what's in the NC House budget, including cuts, a UNC System tuition increase, and what the House wants to do in the areas of education and public safety. Host: ⁠Dawn Vaughan⁠ Guests: T. Keung Hui & Avi Bajpai Executive Producer: Kevin Keister ⁠ Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up ⁠here⁠. Please consider supporting local journalism with a ⁠subscription to The N&O⁠. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Dawn Vaughan interviews Rep. Jake Johnson, a Polk County Republican, about his early start in politics and what's going on in the North Carolina House of Representatives, from the upcoming state budget to crossover to his role on the House Oversight Committee. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest:  Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is crossover week, the busy time at the North Carolina General Assembly that leads up to the May 8 crossover deadline. That's a self-imposed cutoff date for legislation to pass at least one chamber. Host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics editor Jordan Schrader and politics reporter Kyle Ingram and break down what that means for North Carolina laws. Host: ⁠⁠Dawn Vaughan⁠⁠ Guest: Kyle Ingram, Jordan Schrader Executive Producer: ⁠⁠Laura Brache⁠⁠ Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Monday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Please consider supporting local journalism with a ⁠⁠subscription to The N&O⁠⁠. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The North Carolina General Assembly is back in session after a weeklong break, with a packed schedule of bills moving through various committees. While legislators were away last week, a lawsuit resulting from a bill they passed in December was in court. Host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram discuss a ruling in that lawsuit over governor and auditor appointments to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Host: ⁠Dawn Vaughan⁠ Guest: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: ⁠Laura Brache⁠ Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Monday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up ⁠here⁠. Please consider supporting local journalism with a ⁠subscription to The N&O⁠. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four Senate Democrats voted for the Republican-written Senate budget last week, setting up seats at the negotiating table for them as the budget progresses. Host Dawn Vaughan talks to legislative reporting colleague Avi Bajpai and higher education reporter Korie Dean to break down the budget, including how the Senate's budget impacts the UNC System. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Monday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

North Carolina is getting ​closer to a resolution in the N.C. Supreme Court case between Allison Riggs and Jefferson Griffin. Host Dawn Vaughan and politics reporters Kyle Ingram and Avi Bajpai talk extensively about the latest in the race between Riggs, who is the Democratic incumbent on the court, and Griffin, the Republican candidate and a Court of Appeals judge. Plus, another court case about the composition of the State Board of Elections and what to expect at the General Assembly this week. Stay tuned to the end for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Monday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Dawn Vaughan and McClatchy DC's Danielle Battaglia discuss how President Donald Trump's tariffs are costing Americans money, and not all Republicans are falling in line behind the president's costly decisions. So what do North Carolina's members of Congress say about the tariffs? And who's not talking yet, and what does that mean? Stay tuned to the end for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Danielle Battaglia Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Monday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democratic Sen. Woodson Bradley from Mecklenburg County discusses a debate over concealed carry gun permits on the Senate floor. Bradley talks about how she won a close, and closely watched, race last year in a swing district, and her priorities in office. Stay tuned to the end for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Sen. Woodson Bradley Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Monday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Dawn Vaughan talks to fellow political reporters Kyle Ingram and Avi Bajpai about new developments in the still-unresolved North Carolina Supreme Court race and how a Senate floor debate showed what how debate may go​ the rest of this session may look like. Vaughan shares that the governor's budget proposal has landed on lawmakers' desks. Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Monday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of March 10, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics team colleague Avi Bajpai and higher education reporter Korie Dean. They discuss Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's State of the State speech and House Speaker Destin Hall's Republican response, and what's going on in the UNC System scrubbing language related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of March 10, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram about upcoming Senate action on legislation about the attorney general and President Donald Trump executive orders, diversity, equity and inclusion in K-12 schools, along with immigration bills moving in both chambers. Plus, what to expect with the upcoming Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's State of the State Address, and the Trump firing of the head of the Office of Special Counsel, North Carolina native Hampton Dellinger. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of March 3, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram about the latest news from the North Carolina General Assembly and what to expect this week. The House Oversight Committee has started a series of hearings about state agencies, particularly the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles and agencies using any diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs or practices. House Oversight is taking a detailed look at efficiency in agencies, something that has been tied in these discussions to the Trump administration's new Department of Government Efficiency. Stay tuned to the end for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Feb. 24, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics team colleague Avi Bajpai and newsroom colleague Brian Gordon, who is The N&O's business and technology reporter. New Republican House Speaker Destin Hall's cryptocurrency bill. House Bill 92 would allow State Treasurer Brad Briner to invest in “qualified digital assets.” Gordon explains why Republicans and others are supporters of Bitcoin, what it actually is, and what risk is involved in investing the state's money. Plus, Bajpai has details on the latest move by Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Republicans related to his power, and we talk about what else to expect at the General Assembly this week. Spoiler: a lot of Appropriations committees. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: N.C. Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Feb. 17, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to new N.C. Labor Commissioner Luke Farley, a Republican about everything from elevators, the Labor Building itself, the 10% raises he wants for inspectors, eliminating DEI in his agency to getting Cherie Berry's endorsement and more. Stay tuned until the end for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: N.C. Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Feb. 10, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to Washington correspondent Danielle Battaglia about the fire hose of President Donald Trump orders, comments and decisions over the past few weeks, including giving Elon Musk power, and the subsequent protest in downtown Raleigh against it all. Plus what people should know about Washington-area federal employees. After the break, they talk about the recent Black Hawk helicopter and commercial airliner crash at National Airport, and the North Carolinians who were killed in the tragedy. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Danielle Battaglia Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief, is joined by her politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram along with Korie Dean, who covers higher education to talk about the General Assembly session business beginning for 2025, the redistricting trial, and UNC Board of Governors. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean and Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Jan. 27, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks with legislative team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram about the General Assembly beginning its work and what's first on deck. They also talk about the recent death of Rep. Joe John and President Donald Trump's flurry of executive orders during the first week of his term, and a trickle-down effect in state government. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Jan. 20, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to N&O politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi about what North Carolina and the country can expect in the first weeks of the new Trump administration. Some of the issues at play include immigration, taxes and the pressure to lower costs for Americans. After the break, Guinassi shares what she's learned from an interview with new State Treasurer Brad Briner, and what that means for the State Health Plan. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Jan. 13, 2025, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks to Washington D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about the five new members of North Carolina's congressional delegation. They also discuss President-elect Donald Trump's plans for immigration policy and how that may impact our state. Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Danielle Battaglia Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Jan. 6, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks with reporters Kyle Ingram and Korie Dean about what you need to know this week with the General Assembly and new governor beginning their work with ceremonial events. They talk about what we are already seeing about how the legislature may interact with new Gov. Josh Stein. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Korie Dean, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Dawn Vaughan and reporters Avi Bajpai and Korie Dean talk about their picks for Headliners of the Year, from the UNC protests to Gov. Cooper leaving office to changes at the legislature. Guests: Korie Dean and Avi Bajpai Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Dawn Vaughan talks with Claudia Rivera Cotto, a reporter at Enlace Latino NC who covers political, government and immigration issues, about concerns facing immigrants in North Carolina with recent legislation and president-elect Donald Trump's campaign promises. Stay tuned to the end for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Claudia Rivera Cotto Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Dec. 9, 2024, Dawn Vaughan talks to News & Observer colleagues Korie Dean and Kyle Ingram about what you can expect this week on the House override vote of Senate Bill 382, the bill that adds money to the Helene relief fund and takes powers away from the executive branch, primarily appointment power on the State Board of Elections. Plus, Ingram catches you up on the latest in the still-ongoing election results of of the N.C. Supreme Court race between Allison Riggs and Jefferson Griffin. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Korie Dean, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Nov. 25, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan talks with News & Observer colleagues Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram and Adam Wagner about the veto override of House Bill 10 on immigration and vouchers, as well as Senate Bill 382, the bill that is sort of about Helene disaster relief but mostly about taking power away from Gov.-elect Josh Stein and the next attorney general, Jeff Jackson, who are both Democrats. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram, Adam Wagner Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Nov. 18, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics team colleague Avi Bajpai and News & Observer K-12 schools reporter Keung Hui. For the first half of the episode, Hui explains the win and what to expect from the leadership of the winner of the superintendent of public instruction statewide race — Democrat Mo Green. After the break, we talk about what we know is happening at the General Assembly this week as they return for a weeklong session, including a planned override of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of House Bill 10, which combines funding for the private school voucher backlog with a requirement for sheriffs to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai, Keung Hui Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Nov. 11, 2024, Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics team colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi, Kyle Ingram and Korie Dean in part two of our post-Election Day look at the North Carolina races that were on the ballot. They talk about the N.C. Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, the General Assembly and the rest of the Council of State, from auditor to agriculture commissioner. Plus what the “working supermajority” means for swing Democrats in the House. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.  Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Kyle Ingram, Korie Dean, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this post-Election bonus episode of the Under the Dome podcast, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan talks to D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia, state politics reporter Avi Bajpai and The Charlotte Observer's Josh Bergeron and Ryan Oehrli about the 2024 general election results. What do the outcomes of North Carolina's presidential, governor's, attorney general and legislative races tell us about the state? Plus, stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Election. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Danielle Battaglia, Avi Bajpai, Josh Bergeron, Ryan Oehrli Producer: Kevin Keister Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our latest Under the Dome podcast episode for the week of Nov. 4, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics team colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Kyle Ingram about all the last minute information you need to know. From statewide voting information, the impact of Helene on voting in Western North Carolina and the flurry of presidential candidate campaign visits. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Oct. 28, 2024, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by N.C. Central University political science professor Jarvis Hall, for a conversation about the upcoming election. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at the NCCU School of Education auditorium. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Jarvis Hall Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Oct. 21, 2024, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram to break down the totals from the first day of in-person early voting and bring a behind-the-scenes look at recent presidential campaign visits. Plus, the latest on two lawsuits. Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week. ICYMI: Join The N&O for a live recording of the Under the Dome podcast on the campus of North Carolina Central University. RSVP here. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of Under the Dome for the week of Oct. 14, 2024, host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics team colleagues Kyle Ingram and Avi Bajpai. share what it was like on the floor of the Senate and House as lawmakers put the focus not on themselves, but on the people of Western North Carolina.  They also bring you up to speed on the latest in lawsuits. ICYMI: Join The N&O for a live recording of the Under the Dome podcast on the campus of North Carolina Central University. RSVP here. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Oct. 7, 2024, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by N&O colleague Adam Wagner, who covers the environment and climate change to talk about what we know, and what we don't, about Helene's impact. Plus, what recovery might look like. You can read all News & Observer coverage of Hurricane Helene with no paywall at newsobserver.com/topics/helene-nc. Host and Executive Producer: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Adam Wagner Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Sept. 30, 2024, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by Jason Husser of the Elon University Poll. Vaughan and Husser talk about the latest polls in North Carolina on the governor's race and presidential race, plus what issues are important to people being polled. They also break down what is involved in doing a serious poll. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Jason Husser Producer: Kevin Keister Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Sept. 23, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief, is joined by our Washington correspondent Danielle Battaglia, to discuss the continued fallout over a CNN report alleging Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson made many vulgar, racist and sexually explicit comments on a pornography website. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Danielle Battaglia Executive Producers: Laura Brache and Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Sept. 9, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief is joined by her politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram. to talk about the mini budget and Rep. Destin Hall, the champion of a significant element of the mini budget: requiring sheriffs to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Sept. 9, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief, is joined by News & Observer assistant sports editor Steve Wiseman, who is also a reporter on the Duke University sports beat. They discuss how sports and politics intersect on the regular, from state laws to state championship celebrations.  Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Steve Wiseman Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Sept. 2, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief, is joined by Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper. They talk about the North Carolina's governor race and the latest news about where the campaign stands for Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Chris Cooper Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of Aug. 26, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and Capitol bureau chief, is joined by politics reporter Kyle Ingram and metro intern William Tong to talk about former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance's campaign rally in Asheboro, a counter-programming to the week of Democratic National Convention news. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Kyle ingram and William Tong Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of August 19, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief, is joined by her politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram to discuss the latest presidential poll, fundraising in the NC House, third party candidates, and, seasoning salt news. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of August 12, 2024. Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief is joined by higher education reporter Korie Dean and summer intern Emmy Martin. to talk about UNC-Chapel Hill's Friday announcement that interim Chancellor Lee Roberts has been chosen as the permanent chancellor. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Korie Dean and Emmy Martin Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of August 5, 2024. Dawn Vaughan your podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief is joined by her politics team colleague Avi Bajpai to talk about what the rest of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's time as governor will bring, and what happened at the General Assembly during the House's one-day voting session last week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of July 29, 2024. Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief is joined by our Washington, D.C., correspondent Danielle Battaglia to talk about the state of the presidential race, and what a whirlwind of news the month of July has been. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Danielle Battaglia Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

N&O producer/intern Gabi Hartlaub and Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Vaughan talk about what it's like covering Cooper and what he's known for, from Covid response to budget battles with the NCGA. Host: Dawn Vaughan Executive Producer: Gabi Hartlaub Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of July 22, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief, is joined by Raleigh politics and government reporter Anna Roman to talk about who is running in local Raleigh races this fall. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Anna Roman Executive Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of July 15, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, your podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief, is joined by now-former state Sen. Jim Perry, Kinston Republican. Perry had powerful influence in the General Assembly, particularly finance, health care and the budget, and in his former role as majority whip. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Former State Senator Tim Perry Executive Producer: Gabriella Hartlaub Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of July 8, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, your podcast host and The News & Observer's Capitol bureau chief, is joined by politics reporter Avi Bajpai, higher education reporter Korie Dean and summer intern Emmy Martin. They discuss how abortion is a major issue in the governor's race between candidates Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean, Emmy Martin Executive Producer: Gabriella Hartlaub Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the week of July 1, 2024, Kyle Ingram, this week's podcast host and politics reporter for The News & Observer, is joined by his politics team colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai, to discuss the House and Senate adjourning their short session on Thursday after passing a flurry of bills. Host: Kyle Ingram Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai Executive Producer: Gabriella Hartlaub Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices