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
June 16, 2026 • 24 mins
On this June 16, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell and politics intern Ronni Butts. Hear the latest news on UNC System education legislation in the General Assembly, plus development projects like Carolina North and what's being demolished at NC State. Plus the response to a bleeped out vide...
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June 9, 2026 • 20 mins
On this June 9, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by legislative and lobbying reporter Esther Frances and democracy reporter Kyle Ingram, looking at State Board of Elections upcoming hearing and the dustup at the Jackson County Board of Elections. Plus what to expect at the General Assembly this week, from Jaleeyah's Law to budget talks. S...
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June 2, 2026 • 22 mins
On this June 2, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by Charlotte Observer politics and government reporter Mary Ramsey for a closer look at the upcoming House Oversight hearing about legislation in the wake of a 6 year-old girl's death. And the NC General Assembly's two unaffiliated lawmakers both represent Charlotte and Mecklenburg County d...
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May 26, 2026 • 21 mins
On this May 26, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by congressional impact reporter Danielle Battaglia and democracy reporter Kyle Ingram to talk about ballot amendments, taxes, rising costs and how the U.S.-Iran war may affect gas prices. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: D...
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May 19, 2026 • 24 mins
On this May 19, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell and UNC athletics reporter Shelby Swanson. It's a politics and sports crossover episode. We focus first on pending state legislation about NIL, plus talk about the UNC System bill and other higher ed and UNC news. Stay tuned to the end for th...
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May 12, 2026 • 23 mins
On this May 12, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by legislative reporters Esther Frances and Kyle Ingram. The NC General Assembly is three weeks into the short session: What have lawmakers done so far, what's cooking and what's next? Plus our picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Esther Frances & Kyle Ingr...
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May 5, 2026 • 29 mins
On this May 4, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by Rep. Erin Paré, a Holly Springs Republican, as they discuss the House GOP majority, property taxes, the budget and a new bill Paré is sponsoring.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Rep. Erin Paré
Producer: Kevin Keister
Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsl...
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April 28, 2026 • 21 mins
On this April 28, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with her fellow legislative reporters Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Esther Frances about the major news out of the start of the North Carolina General Assembly session, including two House Democrats changing parties to unaffiliated and what's in the Medicaid bill that lawmakers will send t...
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April 21, 2026 • 22 mins
On this April 21, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with reporters Brian Gordon and Kyle Ingram about the start of the NC General Assembly's short session, with a focus on downzoning law and data centers, and potential legislation. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Brian Gordon & Kyle Ingram
Pro...
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April 14, 2026 • 23 mins
On this April 14, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Congressional impact reporter Danielle Battaglia about the 250th anniversary of the Halifax Resolves and America250 events in NC. Plus the latest in the US Senate race and their picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Danielle Battaglia
Producer: Kevin Keister
...
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April 7, 2026 • 21 mins
On this April 7, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Congressional reporter Danielle Battaglia about outgoing US Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican who has become nationally known for his unfiltered take on those advising President Donald Trump, and other issues. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Danie...
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March 31, 2026 • 20 mins
On this March 31, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell about how outgoing Senate leader Phil Berger's influence extends across UNC and state government, including several former staff. Plus who wants to replace Berger, the lastest on NC State and our picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn V...
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March 24, 2026 • 21 mins
On this March 24, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics reporters Esther Frances and Kyle Ingram for the latest news on the still-undecided primary election between Republican Senate leader Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. The race is in a second recount.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Kyle In...
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March 17, 2026 • 21 mins
On this March 17, 2026, episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Congressional reporter Danielle Battaglia about Vice President JD Vance's recent trip to Rocky Mount, what it means for the NC-01 Congressional race and why we'll get more campaign stops. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Danielle Battaglia
Pr...
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March 10, 2026 • 24 mins
On this March 10, 2026 episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by reporters Nathan Collins and Kyle Ingram to talk about the primary that isn't decided yet: Senate leader Phil Berger vs. Sheriff Sam Page. From what it was like being in the room with the candidates on election night to the latest in ballot counting and what's next.
L...
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March 3, 2026 • 23 mins
Gear up for today's North Carolina primary on this new episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast for March 3, 2026. Host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with reporters Danielle Battaglia and Kyle Ingram about three major primary races: Republican Senate leader Phil Berger vs. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page; both the GOP and Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate, and in the Durham area, the ...
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February 24, 2026 • 35 mins
On this new Feb. 24, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome podcast about North Carolina politics, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek about the growing auditor's office, DMV as its own agency, ROI on Smith Center location and what he's targeted next in audits, including the lottery and local bonds.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: State Auditor Dave Boliek
P...
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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 Vaugha...
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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 ev...
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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 Min...
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