Under the Dome

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 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 Executiv...

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...

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 i...

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...

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...

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 Producer:...

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 Gue...

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 Producer: K...

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: ...

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 Prod...

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 Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carol...

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 Producer: Kevin Keister W...

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 Producer: Kevin K...

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 Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Un...

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 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 Tues...

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 Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #nc...

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 Producer: Gabriella H...

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 Vaugh...

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 Producer: Gabriella...

For the week of June 24, 2024, Dawn Vaughan, your podcast host and The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief, is joined by her politics team colleague Kyle Ingram and N&O environment and climate change reporter Adam Wagner to discuss this summer’s budget stalemate and environmental policy changes. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Kyle Ingram, Adam Wagner Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Car...

Start your week in North Carolina politics with our latest Under the Dome podcast, for the week of June 17, 2024. Dawn Vaughan here, your podcast host and The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief. On this episode, I’m joined by my politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean and Danielle Battaglia to talk about UNC System chancellor searches, the House’s budget move and voters. Host: Dawn Vau...

For the week of June 10, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan talks with her legislative team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram about Democrats walking out in the senate, early voting, and the abortion lawsuit. You’ll also hear a clip from Senate leader Phil Berger talking about what he would want for any future abortion legislation. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram Producer: Kevin Keiste...

Start your week in North Carolina politics with our latest Under the Dome podcast, for the week of June 3, 2024. Dawn Vaughan here, your podcast host and The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief. On this episode, I’m joined by my legislative team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Avi Bajpai and Kyle ingram Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina poli...

Start your week in North Carolina politics with our latest Under the Dome podcast, for the week of May 27, 2024. Dawn Vaughan here, your podcast host and The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief. On this episode, I’m joined by Asheville Democratic Rep. Caleb Rudow. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Rep. Caleb Rudow Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome n...