The News & Observer

Under the Dome

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Each week, the Under the Dome team at The News & Observer brings you the most in-depth analysis of topics in state government and politics for North Carolina. Learn more at newsobserver.com/dome

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.newsobserver.com

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The News & Observer

Episodes

Wrapping up a tense week at the N.C. General Assembly 22.05.2023 22:50

On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 22, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporters Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai about the abortion veto override, tension on the House floor and what it means for the atmosphere at the Legislative Building. Listen to audio from the final, dramati...

Triangle Democratic Sen. Mary Wills Bode on the abortion veto and override vote 15.05.2023 23:48

On the May 15, 2023 episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews state Sen. Mary Wills Bode about the abortion bill veto and debate. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Sen. Mary Wills Bode Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Produced and edited by: Laura Brache For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe t...

Behind the scenes of the legislative abortion debate and crossover week 08.05.2023 24:37

On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 8, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan discusses what’s happening in North Carolina politics with colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai. Vaughan, Perez Uribe and Bajpai talked about the House and Senate debate over Senate Bill 20, the abortion restrictions bill....

Voting rights rulings, ‘compelled speech’ and a bill deadline 01.05.2023 17:39

On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 1, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan discusses what’s happening in North Carolina politics with colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Korie Dean. Monday is busier than usual in the legislature, and a big reason is a deadline known as crossover on May 4, when most bills ne...

Whipping the votes with Republican Rep. Jon Hardister 24.04.2023 25:02

On this new episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interview Republican Rep. Jon Hardister about being the House GOP caucus whip, caucus changes with Rep. Tricia Cotham joining the party, education issues and more. Plus Hardister's cafeteria go-to and their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaugha...

TikTok Jackson and a different NCGA this week 17.04.2023 23:48

On this Under the Dome episode for the week of April 17, 2023, host and Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Vaughan talks with D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Congressman Jackson's TikTok drama and what's ahead at the legislature now that Rep. Tricia Cotham is a Republican. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Rep. Tricia Cotham's move will have major ramifications for NC state politics 10.04.2023 25:18

On this episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, NC Insider editor Lars Dolder fills in as host for Dawn Vaughan and talks to politics team freelancer Kyle Ingram, Charlotte Observer local news editor Josh Bergeron and congressional correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Rep. Tricia Cotham defection from the Democratic Party to the NC GOP House caucus. Plus an update on t...

House veto override drama and budget Easter eggs 03.04.2023 25:44

On this latest episode of the News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host Dawn Vaughan talks with politics teammate Lars Dolder about the dramatic House veto override, shining a light on a budget item and their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Producer: Laura Brache Audio editor: Laura Brache For more North Carolina government and...

Sports betting bill and corporate tax talk with Sen. Lisa Grafstein 25.03.2023 23:16

On this episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, host Dawn Vaughan talks about the sports betting bill and corporate taxes with Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a Raleigh Democrat. Plus what's coming up this week at the legislature and their picks for Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NC Supreme Court cases, power plays, the budget and gun debate 20.03.2023 28:27

On this episode of the News & Observer’s NC politics podcast, host Dawn Vaughan and the rest of the state politics team talk about the N.C. Supreme Court, Cooper's budget, gun debate, plus Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports, State of the State and the GOP Senate supermajority, with Sen. Vickie Sawyer 13.03.2023 22:54

On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of March 13, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan interviews Republican Sen. Vickie Sawyer of Iredell County. They talk mostly about high school sports, as well as the Senate Republican supermajority, abortion, the CROWN Act and more. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week, both about Senate words. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Medicaid expansion, marijuana and Democratic chairs 06.03.2023 18:45

On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of March 6, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan talks with Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi about the big Medicaid expansion deal between the House and the Senate. Plus the Senate puff-puff-passing medical marijuana, the upcoming State of the State and what else is coming up. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week, state symbols edition. Learn more about your ad...

Interview with Senate Minority Dan Blue, also NC's first Black Speaker of the House 27.02.2023 28:39

On this Under the Dome episode for the week of Feb. 27, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan talks to Senate Minority Dan Blue about how he became the first Black speaker of the House in North Carolina, what it means today, what he thinks should happen with the long-stalled African Americans monument on the Capitol grounds and more. Plus what he said about playing basketball with Roy Cooper, what's good at the...

Teaching Black history and not using it as 'a political football' (with Rep. Amos Quick) 20.02.2023 23:15

On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Feb. 20, 2023, News & Observer Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Vaughan interviews Rep. Amos Quick about how he learned Black history, how he thinks it should be taught, how he'll decide to vote with Republicans, and why he's a pastor. Plus Quick's favorite snack bar food and Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

There's a new caucus at the NCGA. What that could mean for NCCU and other HBCUs. 13.02.2023 14:16

On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Feb. 13, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan shares what the launch of the HBCU Caucus means for the lawmakers, the state and one of the schools: NCCU. Plus Headliner of the Week with Vaughan, Jordan Schrader and Avi Bajpai. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Black History Month with lawmakers who are living it: Sen. Murdock and Rep. Alston 06.02.2023 36:21

Under the Dome is celebrating Black History Month with episodes about Black history, lawmakers and legislation. Host and News & Observer reporter Dawn Vaughan interviews N.C. Sen. Natalie Murdock and Rep. Vernetta Alston about themselves, their families, their stance on legislation and more. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week, and a bonus question about what lawmakers' get at the Legislati...

Congress, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the NC delegation 30.01.2023 25:01

On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Jan. 30, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan and DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia talk about what North Carolina's 14 U.S. House members have been up to lately, including the Speaker Kevin McCarthy drama. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Producer: Laura Brache Audio editor: Laura Brache For m...

Bonus episode: NC Insider's legislative preview with Tim Moore and Phil Berger 29.01.2023 44:28

Didn't get a seat to The NC Insider/News & Observer's sold-out Legislative Preview event with House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger? Listen to the entire, unedited conversation here. -------- For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer and the NC Insider at newsobserver.com/under-the-dome and nci...

How Senate Republicans will operate in 2023 (feat. former GOP staffer Pat Ryan) 23.01.2023 22:58

In this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Jan. 23, 2023, N&O reporter Dawn Vaughan talks with former Republican Senate staffer Pat Ryan about what the supermajority means and his former boss, Senate leader Berger. Plus Vaughan and Ryan's picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Producer: Laura Brache Audio editor: Laura Brache For more North C...

What’s happening with the North Carolina State Health Plan? 15.01.2023 21:07

In this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Jan. 16, 2023, News & Observer politics reporter and podcast host Dawn Vaughan talks with health reporter Teddy Rosenbluth and politics reporter Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi about the latest developments with changing from Blue Cross NC to Aetna in the State Health Plan. Plus the start of the NCGA session and Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaugh...

First episode of 2023: The NC General Assembly is back this week! 09.01.2023 24:51

In this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Jan. 9, 2023, News & Observer politics reporters Dawn Vaughan and Will Doran tell you what to expect as the North Carolina General Assembly comes back for its long session. Plus what factors are at play in legislation, maps and 2024 — and their picks for Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outgoing Democratic Sen. Kirk deViere talks about his party's "political machine" 27.12.2022 27:55

On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Dec. 26, 2022, News & Observer reporter Dawn Vaughan interviews outgoing Cumberland County Sen. Kirk deViere, a Democrat who served four years. He lost his primary after Gov. Roy Cooper endorsed his opponent. What deViere says about the "political machine" and his time in office. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad...

Senate Republican Whip Jim Perry talks budget forecast, abortion and Medicaid legislation in 2023 19.12.2022 26:19

Content warning: The following episode contains discussions of rape and abortion. Listener discretion advised. On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Dec. 19, 2022, News & Observer politics reporter Dawn Vaughan talks with Sen. Jim Perry, a Kinston, NC Republican, about his views about legislation on Medicaid expansion, abortion, the state budget and more looking ahead to the 2023 legis...

What U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross says about NC Congressional freshmen, Moore v. Harper 12.12.2022 22:02

In this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Dec. 12, 2022, News & Observer politics reporter talks with U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat, about North Carolina's Congressional freshmen, what it was like inside the U.S. Supreme Court last week, what's in common between state and federal lawmakers and more. Plus our picks for Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

The politics of NC's Big Poultry and its impact on neighbors and the environment 05.12.2022 23:13

This week on the Under the Dome politics podcast, host Dawn Vaughan talks with the main reporting team behind a project by The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, “Big Poultry.” Plus a sneak peek of what’s to come in their coverage. Listen to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices