Under the Dome

Latest Episodes:

Primary results in NC court races and what it means for the general election Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

For the week of March 11, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan is joined by fellow state politics reporters Avi Bajpai, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Kyle Ingram. The four break down post-primary analysis of the N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals primary elections, as well as General Assembly races. The legislative primaries had some surprises, and some races hinge on the final canvass to determine their outcomes. Plus, hear about the general election for attorney general.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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Bonus Episode: Surprises, upsets and takeaways from the 2024 NC Primary Election Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

In this post-primary bonus episode, originally recorded live on X (formerly Twitter), Charlotte Observer and News & Observer politics reporters share their biggest takeaways from Election Night: From some surprises in the Council of State primaries, to what last night’s results tell us about how NC’s congressional delegation might look different in 2025, to possible runoffs.

This recording was edited from its original version for brevity and clarity.

Featuring: Josh Bergeron, Danielle Battaglia, Mary Ramsey, Dawn Vaughan, and Keung Hui.

X Space produced by: Zach Dennis, Andrew Nantais, and Laura Brache

Podcast episode edited by: Laura Brache

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

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NC Primary Day is here: Frontrunner fundraising, candidates and campaigns to watch Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

For the week of March 4, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan is joined by fellow politics reporters Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram to discuss the latest fundraising numbers for the gubernatorial primary frontrunners and what it means for the general election. We also talk about the primary for attorney general, looks ahead to the probable candidates for the general election in that race, as well as lieutenant governor. Plus, legislative primary races to watch.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle ingram

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Learn more about the candidates running in the primary at The News & Observer’s Voter Guide.

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Dale Folwell on what conservatism means to him Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

fFor the week of Feb. 26, 2024, podcast host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan shares outtakes from a recent interview with State Treasurer Dale Folwell, a longshot candidate in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Folwell talks about his views on abortion restriction legislation, his primary opponent Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and what he thinks of former President Donald Trump. I also asked Folwell about how he would work with Republican legislative leaders as governor, and what he plans to do on primary Election Day and whatever happens after it.

Stay tuned to the end for Dawn's pick for Headliner of the Week, which has to do with the governor’s office and who has power when the leader is out of state.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Dale Folwell

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Interview recorded by: Travis Long

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

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Josh Stein talks labor issues, his opponents, and why he wants to be governor Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

For the week of Feb. 19, 2024, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan shares excerpts of a recent interview Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, who is running for governor. Hear Stein talk about the primary election, his friend and mentor Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, and his likely general election opponent: Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Josh Stein

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

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Breaking down NC's upcoming primary: Endorsements, races to watch and the Black voter bloc Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Ready or not, we’re days away from the North Carolina polls opening for the 2024 Primary Election. Early voting begins Feb. 15 with the primary on March 5. With that comes a deluge of information — often in the form of TV ads — about candidates, their positions and their endorsements. It can be hard for the average voter to discern who is behind the endorsements and how important they really are. To break it all down, McClatchy D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia joins Under the Dome, along with The Charlotte Observer's Kendrick Marshall and Mary Ramsey.

Host: Kyle Ingram

Guests: Danielle Battaglia, Kendrick Marshall, Mary Ramsey

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Recording: Kevin Keister

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

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What we found in campaign finance reports, plus border politics Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

On this latest episode for the week of Feb. 5, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan and N&O politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram talk about campaign finance reports, the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policy, and much more. Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Video Producer: Kevin Keister

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goings-on at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC elections bills, and Oscar noms Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

On this latest episode for the week of Jan. 29, 2024, Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean, and Kyle Ingram talk about Lee Roberts, the new interim chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill, and some important discussions that took place at last week’s meeting of the UNC System’s Board of Governors.

We also talk about recent developments in a legal challenge against one of the two major elections bills GOP lawmakers passed over Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto at the end of last year’s legislative session.

Host: Avi Bajpai

Guests: Korie Dean, Kyle Ingram

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Audio edited by: Kevin Keister

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

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The people's business: Inside The N&O’s reporting on government transparency in North Carolina Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

In mid-October, The News & Observer requested communications from all 170 members of the North Carolina General Assembly, after GOP state lawmakers moved to shield all former and current legislators from having to comply with the state’s public records law.

Reporting this story involved several steps: filing initial requests, following up with lawmakers, reviewing and processing their records, and publication. Here’s a breakdown of what went into this story.

Stick around after the break for our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Avi Bajpai

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What gridlock in Congress could mean for government shutdown, plus NC primary endorsements Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

Snow is expected up in Washington, D.C., in the coming days, but it is unlikely to chill out the gridlock in Congress right now. Capitol Hill correspondent Danielle Battaglia explains the latest drama related to the impending federal government shutdown and what that means going forward.

Yearning to be part of that congressional scene are several primary candidates who want to represent North Carolina. Will turnover mean more or less influence from the Old North State? We talk about that, plus the Trump factor.

After the break, we move on to the latest endorsements for both Republicans and Democrats, and how that could play out with primary voters. The primary is March 5.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests:

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Video Producer: Kevin Keister

Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices