Under the Dome

Under the Dome

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

Episodes

Mecklenburg County sheriff faces lawmakers in Raleigh

February 17, 2026 • 22 mins
On this episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast for Feb. 17, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Charlotte Observer politics reporter Mary Ramsey about how a NC House Oversight and Reform Committee about public safety turned into a grilling of Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, and what the fallout may be. Plus what to watch as primary early voting is underway, and Vaughan an...
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NC primaries to watch: GOP U.S. Senate and Durham U.S. House races

February 10, 2026 • 22 mins
On this Feb. 10, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporters Danielle Battaglia and Kyle Ingram about the Republican primary for U.S. Senate and the Democratic primary for U.S. House District 4 in Durham and Orange counties. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests:  Danielle Battaglia & Kyle Ingram Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North...
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UNC budget cuts and DC budget, ICE battles

February 3, 2026 • 20 mins
On this latest episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, for Feb. 3, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with higher education reporter Jane Sartwell and Congressional reporter Danielle Battaglia. The UNC System and its schools are cutting job positions and programs to save money. In Washington, Congress is battling over the Trump administration's handling of ICE in Minneso...
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Changes in early voting days in NC, UNC cuts

January 27, 2026 • 19 mins
On this latest episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, for Jan. 27, 2026: Host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with democracy reporter Kyle Ingram and new higher education reporter Jane Sartwell about changes in early voting days at some voting sites, as well as a dispute over a candidate's party status. Plus UNC Trustees consider program cuts, and what to expect at the Board of...
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Charlotte goes to Raleigh for Oversight hearing on public safety

January 20, 2026 • 22 mins
On our latest episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, for Jan. 20, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Charlotte Observer local government reporter Mary Ramsey about the mayor and Mecklenburg County sheriff being called to Raleigh for a legislative oversight hearing on public safety. Plus more about Sheriff Garry McFadden and scrunity of his time in office, including...
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Vacant jobs and costs in NC state government

January 13, 2026 • 22 mins
On this latest episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporter Kyle Ingram about a state auditor report of vacant state government jobs and the costs of lapsed salaries. Plus what to expect this week at the General Assembly and our picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Kyle Ingram Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more...
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An interview with NC Gov. Josh Stein on 2026 legislative battles on taxes, budget, Medicaid funding

January 6, 2026 • 24 mins
On this episode of Under the Dome for Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan sits down with North Carolina's Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to talk about the lack of a state budget, the fight over taxes, when Medicaid might get funding and working with GOP leaders. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Gov. Josh Stein Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter d...
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How the big NC politics stories of 2025 may shape 2026

December 23, 2025 • 23 mins
On this latest episode of Under the Dome for Dec. 23, 2025, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with reporters Kyle Ingram about the big statewide news of 2025 and Danielle Battaglia about the big federal news that impacted North Carolina. The big stories include the budget stalemate, failed attempt to overturn the NC Supreme Court election and Lumbee recognition. Plus what those 2025 issues mean for 2026.  Host: Dawn...
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NC Congressional primary candidates, and weight of a Trump endorsement

December 16, 2025 • 24 mins
On this new Dec. 16, 2025 episode of The News & Observer politics podcast, Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Washington correspondent Danielle Battaglia about candidates who have already filed to run for Congress, and how the Eastern District 1 is the race to watch, with a slew of Republicans vying in the primary to face off with incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis. And how a Trump endorsement ca...
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NC candidates file in Raleigh mayor, Wake commissioners and Supreme Court races

December 9, 2025 • 22 mins
On this latest episode of Under the Dome for Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks with City of Raleigh reporter Anna Roman and politics reporter Kyle Ingram about candidate filing for the 2026 election in the Raleigh mayor, Wake County Commissioners and N.C. Supreme Court races. And the latest on the new city hall in downtown Raleigh, plus our picks for Headliner of the Week, which cover a Cary town manager mystery, K&W C...
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What to know as North Carolina candidate filing for 2026 begins

December 2, 2025 • 23 mins
Candidate filing for the 2026 election has begun in North Carolina. Under the Dome politics podcast host Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporters Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Kyle Ingram about what to know as filing gets underway, plus races we are watching. Plus new state laws, how the feds impact the hemp industry and our picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests:  Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Kyle In...
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Thanksgiving travel, RDU and the NC DMV

November 25, 2025 • 21 mins
On the latest episode of the Under the Dome podcast for Nov. 25, 2025, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and host Dawn Vaughan talks with transportation reporter Richard Stradling about what's changed at the NC DMV, what's coming soon at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and what to expect as you travel in North Carolina this Thanksgiving week. Plus stayed tuned for their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan ...
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Federal shutdown ends, impact on NC lingers

November 18, 2025 • 23 mins
On this new episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast for Nov. 18, 2025, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia about the end to the federal government shutdown and funding restarting, plus how Rep. Don Davis' vote factored in. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Danielle Battaglia Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the...
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How NC’s state budget delay is impacting K-12 education, teachers

November 11, 2025 • 19 mins
This week, host Dawn Vaughan and News & Observer K-12 education reporter T. Keung Hui discuss how the long-delayed new comprehensive state budget is impacting education funding, including raises for teachers and other school employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The federal shutdown hits 36 days. What is NC’s delegation doing?

November 4, 2025 • 20 mins
This week, host Dawn Vaughan and McClatchy DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia discuss the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 36th day with no signs of a resolution. As The News & Observer has previously reported, the shutdown is affecting federal workers and social safety net programs, like SNAP and WIC, and public reception of the White House renovations during the shutdown haven’t been great. Host: Dawn Vaughan ...
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Nearing November, here’s why NC budget talks remain stalled

October 28, 2025 • 22 mins
Just days away from November, North Carolina still does not have a new comprehensive budget. As Capitol bureau chief and host Dawn Vaughan explains, the battle is actually between Republicans this time — not Republicans and Democrats. The team discusses the reasons for the holdup, including tax fights, plus why a clean Medicaid rebase bill couldn’t make it across the finish line. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai, Luciana Pe...
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Monitoring the progress of the new GOP-backed congressional map

October 21, 2025 • 19 mins
This week, host Dawn Vaughan and reporter Kyle Ingram discuss (so far, successful) efforts by Republicans in the legislature to redraw the state’s congressional map. There’s a long history of redistricting and gerrymandering in North Carolina. In Monster: Maps, Math & Power in North Carolina — a four-part podcast series by former investigative reporter Tyler Dukes — The N&O explores how maps are drawn, their political impact on...
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A Conversation with Gabe Esparza, NC Department of Administration Secretary

October 14, 2025 • 24 mins
As Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month comes to a close, host Dawn Vaughan sat down with North Carolina Department of Administration secretary Gabe Esparza, the first Latino member of Gov. Josh Stein’s cabinet. The two discuss Esparza’s journey from the private sector to public service and his background as a third-generation Mexican-American. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest:  Gabe Esparza Executive Producer: Laura Brache Want even...
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Why the budget stalemate also creates uncertainty in higher ed funding

October 7, 2025 • 19 mins
This week, host Dawn Vaughan talks to higher ed reporter Korie Dean about the lack of a state budget impacting performance funding for universities, a new funding method recently approved by UNC Board of Governors. Vaughan and Dean also talk about how a lack of a budget affects current university employees and retirees. Stick to the end for Headliner of the Week, and a professional update from Dean. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest:...
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Why lawmakers didn’t fund Medicaid ahead of deadline, or pass a budget

September 30, 2025 • 21 mins
This week, Dawn Vaughan, Avi Bajpai, and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi discuss the ongoing disagreement between House and Senate lawmakers over Medicaid funding. They also cover the state budget impasse, which some link to a disconnect between Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall, who has voiced his opposition to funding a new children's hospital. What are the potential consequences of cuts to Medicaid providers? ...
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