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
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
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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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.
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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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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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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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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
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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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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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September 23, 2025 • 20 mins
Host Dawn Vaughan and politics reporter Avi Bajpai discuss the omnibus crime bill that Republicans filed late Sunday, also known as Iryna’s Law, in response to the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte last month. They also talk about other legislative happenings, including mini budget bills awaiting House action, including law enforcement raises and bonuses for the National Guard. Plus, a controversial bill to defund Plann...
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September 16, 2025 • 22 mins
This week, host Dawn Vaughan is joined by reporters Mary Ramsey and Julia Coin from our sister paper The Charlotte Observer. Ramsey covers Charlotte area politics, and Coin covers courts and public safety.
Last month’s fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte light rail by DeCarlos Brown Jr. has drawn national attention. Coin and Ramsey have been part of the team at the Observer covering the ...
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September 9, 2025 • 22 mins
This week, host Dawn Vaughan talks to McClatchy D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about what she’s keeping tabs on on Capitol Hill, namely the impending Sept. 30 deadline for Congress to pass 12 appropriations bills in order to prevent a government shutdown. They break down the potential impacts of the federal budget on North Carolina. You’ll also hear about the latest developments in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District...
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September 2, 2025 • 20 mins
This week, Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan and Mary Ramsey discuss prominent figures in Charlotte-Mecklenburg politics, particularly Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham and Democratic Rep. Carla Cunningham: From Cunningham's controversial speech on immigration, which could lead to a primary challenge, to Cotham's undisclosed surgery and changed political standing and key issues in Charlotte's local elections.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Mary ...
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August 26, 2025 • 20 mins
Host Dawn Vaughan talks to higher ed reporter Korie Dean about why North Carolina universities like UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and Davidson College have significantly increased their spending on lobbying in the first six months of Donald Trump’s second term amid federal funding cuts.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Korie Dean
Producer: Kevin Keister
Executive Producer: Laura Brache
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August 19, 2025 • 21 mins
This week, state politics reporter Kyle Ingram is your guest host. He talks to D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about the anticipated matchup between two high profile candidates in the North Carolina U.S. Senate race: Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Party leader Michael Whatley.
Host: Kyle Ingram
Guest: Danielle Battaglia
Executive Producer: Laura Brache
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