Under the Dome
Twice each week, the Under the Dome team at The News & Observer bring you the most in-depth analysis of topics in state government and politics for North Carolina. Learn more at newsobserver.com/dome
Episodes
June 11, 2021 • 21 min
Dawn Vaughan hosts this Closer Look for June 11, joined by N&O K-12 education reporter Keung Hui. Most North Carolina students are finishing up their school years this week, and year-round students start the new year in July. Listen to what Hui has to say about all the school drama this year at the state and local level, from virtual and in person issues, to critical race theory and teacher raises.
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June 7, 2021 • 6 min
In the Under the Dome Week Ahead for June 7, Danielle Battaglia scans the legislative horizon at the North Carolina General Assembly.
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June 4, 2021 • 23 min
Reporter Brian Murphy interviews North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in this episode. Robinson, a Republican and the state's first Black lieutenant governor, discusses his political future, his push against the state's new social studies standards, the state's vaccination efforts and more.
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May 31, 2021 • 20 min
In Under the Dome for May 31, News & Observer reporter Will Doran takes a look at the week ahead in North Carolina politics.
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May 28, 2021 • 20 min
State politics reporter Lucille Sherman talks with former ProPublica fellow Sean Campbell about a provision that provides sweeping immunity for health care facilities and providers during the pandemic. Read Sherman’s latest story on a facility that is likely immune from civil liability for the slow, painful death of an adult care home resident: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article251178409.html
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May 24, 2021 • 14 min
In the Under the Dome Week Ahead for May 24, Dawn Vaughan hosts and talks with Will Doran about what you need to know in North Carolina politics: jobs, budget limbo and COVID-19 federal relief.
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May 21, 2021 • 18 min
NC Insider editor Colin Campbell speaks with Scott Mullins of Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics of North Carolina about proposed legislation to help firefighters deal with cancer related to occupational hazards, post-traumatic stress -- and why they want to put blue lights on fire trucks.
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May 17, 2021 • 9 min
With the all-important legislative crossover week in the rearview mirror, News & Observer reporter Danielle Battaglia breaks down what to expect at the North Carolina General Assembly in the week ahead.
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May 14, 2021 • 20 min
News & Observer reporter Brian Murphy speaks with bill drafting veteran Gerry Cohen about his three decades drawing districts in North Carolina.
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May 10, 2021 • 15 min
This week is one of the most important at the legislature all year: Crossover week. It’s the last chance, for most bills, to determine if they’re dead until the next session, or if they still have a shot at passing this year. We break down what some of the biggest bills are that are pushing up against the deadline. Will Doran hosts.
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May 7, 2021 • 21 min
State politics reporter Lucille Sherman talks with Rep. Gale Adcock, a Democrat representing Wake County, about a health care bill supported by a majority of North Carolina legislatures, yet the legislation still hasn't come up for a vote.
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April 30, 2021 • 25 min
News & Observer politics reporter Dawn Vaughan hosts this Closer Look at what covering protests on the ground is like for N&O visual journalist Julia Wall, and what people should know about the tension in the air, protesters, police and the role of the free press.
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April 29, 2021 • 27 min
NCInsider editor Colin Campbell speaks with Zoe Chace about the making of The Improvement Association podcast from Serial and The New York Times, and what the troubled elections history of Bladen County, North Carolina, might have to tell us about U.S. elections moving forward.
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April 26, 2021 • 9 min
State politics reporter Danielle Battaglia talks with reporter Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan about what's coming up in North Carolina politics this week.
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April 23, 2021 • 24 min
News & Observer journalists Brian Murphy, Tyler Dukes and Will Doran discuss Episode Four of The Improvement Association podcast, including their own experiences writing about elections in North Carolina's Bladen and Robeson counties.
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April 21, 2021 • 23 min
In this episode, coinciding with the release of Chapter Three of The Improvement Association podcast from the makers of Serial and The New York Times, The News & Observer's Brian Murphy and NCInsider editor Colin Campbell share views on the podcast and clips from Colin's interview of its creator, Zoe Chace.
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April 19, 2021 • 11 min
State politics reporter Lucille Sherman talks with Rep. Destin Hall, Republican House Rules Chairman, about what's coming up in North Carolina politics.
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April 15, 2021 • 24 min
Coinciding with the release of Chapter Two of The Improvement Association podcast from the makers of Serial and The New York Times, The News & Observer digs into the complicated history of race and elections in North Carolina with an interview of Irving Joyner, a professor at North Carolina Central University School of Law who specializes in civil rights and race and the law. Reporter Carli Brosseau hosts.
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April 13, 2021 • 21 min
In this discussion of Chapter One of The Improvement Association podcast from the makers of Serial and The New York Times, reporters from The News & Observer dig into the episode and share insights from their own coverage of Bladen County, North Carolina's complex and troubled elections history. Brian Murphy, WIll Doran and Carli Brosseau discuss the 2018 elections scandal that undid the apparent victory of a congressional ...
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April 12, 2021 • 17 min
Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan hosts the Under the Dome Week Ahead for April 12. She and Colin Campbell tell you big things to watch for this week in the state legislature after a flurry of recent bill filings, and what could bring an HB2-like spotlight on North Carolina.
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