Under the Dome

Latest Episodes:

Mecklenburg County sheriff faces lawmakers in Raleigh Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

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 Vaughan and Ramsey's picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Mary Ramsey

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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 primaries to watch: GOP U.S. Senate and Durham U.S. House races Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

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 even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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

UNC budget cuts and DC budget, ICE battles Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

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 Minnesota, which is factoring into the federal shutdown debates.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Jane Sartwell & Danielle Battaglia

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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

Changes in early voting days in NC, UNC cuts Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

On this latest episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, for Jan. 27, 2026: Host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with democracy reporter Kyle Ingram and new higher education reporter Jane Sartwell about changes in early voting days at some voting sites, as well as a dispute over a candidate's party status. Plus UNC Trustees consider program cuts, and what to expect at the Board of Governors and House Oversight meetings this week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Kyle Ingram & Jane Sartwell

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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

Charlotte goes to Raleigh for Oversight hearing on public safety Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

On our latest episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, for Jan. 20, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Charlotte Observer local government reporter Mary Ramsey about the mayor and Mecklenburg County sheriff being called to Raleigh for a legislative oversight hearing on public safety. Plus more about Sheriff Garry McFadden and scrunity of his time in office, including from House Democratic Rep. Carla Cunningham.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Mary Ramsey

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.
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

Vacant jobs and costs in NC state government Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

On this latest episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporter Kyle Ingram about a state auditor report of vacant state government jobs and the costs of lapsed salaries. Plus what to expect this week at the General Assembly and our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Kyle Ingram

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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

An interview with NC Gov. Josh Stein on 2026 legislative battles on taxes, budget, Medicaid funding Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

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

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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

How the big NC politics stories of 2025 may shape 2026 Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

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 Vaughan

Guests: Kyle Ingram & Danielle Battaglia

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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

NC Congressional primary candidates, and weight of a Trump endorsement Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

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 can change a primary. Trump has already gotten into NC politics this primary by endorsing Senate leader Phil Berger. More on the Berger primary plus our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Danielle Battaglia

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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

NC candidates file in Raleigh mayor, Wake commissioners and Supreme Court races Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

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 Cafeteria and festive lights.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Anna Roman & Kyle Ingram

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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

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