Under the Dome

Latest Episodes:

Wrapping up a tense week at the N.C. General Assembly May 22, 2023

Show notes

On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 22, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporters Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai about the abortion veto override, tension on the House floor and what it means for the atmosphere at the Legislative Building. Listen to audio from the final, dramatic moment that a supermajority of Republicans overturned Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the abortion restrictions bill. Vaughan, Guinassi and Bajpai were all in the chamber when it happened. And that wasn’t the last moment of tension on the House floor a few days ago. Plus listen to what’s coming up this week in legislation.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

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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Triangle Democratic Sen. Mary Wills Bode on the abortion veto and override vote May 15, 2023

Show notes

On the May 15, 2023 episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews state Sen. Mary Wills Bode about the abortion bill veto and debate.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Sen. Mary Wills Bode

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

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Behind the scenes of the legislative abortion debate and crossover week May 08, 2023

Show notes

On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 8, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan discusses what’s happening in North Carolina politics with colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai.

Vaughan, Perez Uribe and Bajpai talked about the House and Senate debate over Senate Bill 20, the abortion restrictions bill. From parliamentary procedure to the timing of debate, hear what it was like to be in the room.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producers and editor: Laura Brache and Scott Sharpe

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Voting rights rulings, ‘compelled speech’ and a bill deadline May 01, 2023

Show notes

On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 1, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan discusses what’s happening in North Carolina politics with colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Korie Dean.

Monday is busier than usual in the legislature, and a big reason is a deadline known as crossover on May 4, when most bills need to pass at least one chamber in order to move ahead in the current session.

Dean talks about the latest on bills dealing with “compelled speech” and university faculty tenure, and Perez Uribe and Vaughan give you a quick rundown of the three big N.C. Supreme Court decisions on Friday.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Korie Dean

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producers and editor: Laura Brache and Scott Sharpe

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Whipping the votes with Republican Rep. Jon Hardister Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

On this new episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interview Republican Rep. Jon Hardister about being the House GOP caucus whip, caucus changes with Rep. Tricia Cotham joining the party, education issues and more. Plus Hardister's cafeteria go-to and their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: North Carolina Rep. Jon Hardister

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producer and editor: Laura Brache

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TikTok Jackson and a different NCGA this week Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

On this Under the Dome episode for the week of April 17, 2023, host and Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Vaughan talks with D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Congressman Jackson's TikTok drama and what's ahead at the legislature now that Rep. Tricia Cotham is a Republican. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week.

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How Rep. Tricia Cotham's move will have major ramifications for NC state politics Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, NC Insider editor Lars Dolder fills in as host for Dawn Vaughan and talks to politics team freelancer Kyle Ingram, Charlotte Observer local news editor Josh Bergeron and congressional correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Rep. Tricia Cotham defection from the Democratic Party to the NC GOP House caucus. Plus an update on the state budget and their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Lars Dolder

Guests: NC politics freelance reporter Kyle Ingram, The Charlotte Observer local news editor Josh Bergeron and congressional correspondent Danielle Battaglia

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producer and editor: Laura Brache

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House veto override drama and budget Easter eggs Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

On this latest episode of the News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host Dawn Vaughan talks with politics teammate Lars Dolder about the dramatic House veto override, shining a light on a budget item and their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producer: Laura Brache

Audio editor: Laura Brache

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/under-the-dome/ 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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Sports betting bill and corporate tax talk with Sen. Lisa Grafstein Mar 25, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, host Dawn Vaughan talks about the sports betting bill and corporate taxes with Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a Raleigh Democrat. Plus what's coming up this week at the legislature and their picks for Headliner of the Week.

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NC Supreme Court cases, power plays, the budget and gun debate Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of the News & Observer’s NC politics podcast, host Dawn Vaughan and the rest of the state politics team talk about the N.C. Supreme Court, Cooper's budget, gun debate, plus Headliner of the Week.

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