Under the Dome

Latest Episodes:

2023 local elections in Durham and Wake counties, ALEC and Florida vs. NC Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

For the week of July 31, 2023, we broke down our episode into two segments. First up are two of our local government reporters, because while statewide elections are more than a year away, local ones are coming up this fall.

After the break, I’m joined by our summer politics interns: Makiya Seminera with The N&O and Jazper Lu with NC Insider, one of our two daily politics newsletters.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Kristen Johnson, Mary Helen Moore, Jazper Lu, Makiya Seminera

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Video: Kaitlin McKeown, Kevin Keister

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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Stalled budgets of yore feat. WUNC’s Colin Campbell Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

For the week of July 24, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan talked with WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell, a longtime legislative reporter.

The NC state budget is delayed again this summer. How often has the General Assembly delayed the budget? Plus, stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Colin Campbell

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Video: Kaitlin McKeown, Kevin Keister

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Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham Democrat, on court decisions, athletes and guns Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

For the week of July 17, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan interviews N.C. Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham Democrat who is also a former judge and Olympian, and the House Democratic whip.

Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week about the timing of the legislative session and what can be done about it.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Rep. Marcia Morey

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

Editing and video: Kevin Keister

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Three vetoed transgender bills are up for override and what else to expect at the General Assembly this week Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

For the week of July 10, 2023, Under the Dome politics podcast host and News & Observer Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with her politics team colleagues, legislative correspondent Kyle Ingram and summer intern Makiya Seminera, about three significant bills vetoed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

All three impact transgender North Carolinians, from sports to health care to public schools.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Kyle Ingram and Makiya Seminera

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Laura Brache and Kevin Keister

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Two major SCOTUS rulings for NC and update on the gubernatorial race Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

On this episode for the week of July 3, 2023, host Lars Dolder talks with politics team colleagues Korie Dean and Avi Bajpai about two landmark rulings delivered by the U.S. Supreme Court that have direct North Carolina connects.

Plus, hear about a prominent North Carolina Democrat who is eyeing a gubernatorial campaign, and Headliner of the Week.

Host: Lars Dolder

Guests: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced by: Laura Brache

Video: Kevin Keister and Kaitlin McKeown

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Catching up with NC House Majority Leader John Bell Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

For the week of June 26, 2023, N&O Capitol Bureau Chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan interviews N.C. House Republican Majority Leader John Bell about avoiding the camera, his pick for U.S. president and the lawsuit against House Speaker Tim Moore. Plus, hear Bell’s menu item of choice from the Legislative Cafeteria and stay tuned to the end for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Rep. John Bell (R)

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Laura Brache and Kevin Keister

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Why bills about NC boards are a big deal Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

On this episode for the week of June 19, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with N&O legislative correspondent Kyle Ingram about why bills about boards are nowhere near boring. That’s because they are about control over elections, separation of powers, the role of the governor and how the legislature is trying to shift power.

Plus, hear about another elections bill that would make a variety of changes to how you cast your vote.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Kyle Ingram

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Kevin Keister and Kaitlin McKeown

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NC Sen. Todd Johnson on budget, raises, biscuits and what his dad told him Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

On this episode for the week of June 12, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observer's state Capitol bureau chief interviewed Sen. Todd Johnson, a Union County Republican. They discuss budget priorities, including raises, and the timeline for passing the state budget. Johnson is on the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee and chairs one of the subcommittees.

Listen to what Johnson’s favorite item in the Legislative Cafeteria is, and stick to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Sen. Todd Johnson (R)

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Laura Brache, Kevin Keister

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Why North Carolina played a key role in the federal debt ceiling Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

On this episode for the week of June 5, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan talks with Washington, D.C., correspondent Danielle Battaglia about how North Carolina’s congressional delegation factored into the federal government’s debt ceiling dealings and deadline.

Plus, what to expect at the General Assembly this week, including final votes on legalizing online sports betting.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Danielle Battaglia

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Kevin Keister and Kaitlin McKeown

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The head of SEANC talks what’s at stake for NC state employees May 29, 2023

Show notes

On this episode for the week of May 29, 2023, state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina.

SEANC and Republican state agency leaders are the latest to sound the alarm about the impact of North Carolina state employees’ vacancy rate, which is is nearing 25%.

Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week, both about remembering those who have gone before us.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Ardis Watkins

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Kevin Keister and Kaitlin McKeown

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