Under the Dome

Latest Episodes:

How Iryna’s Law could impact NC’s judicial system Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan and politics reporter Avi Bajpai discuss the omnibus crime bill that Republicans filed late Sunday, also known as Iryna’s Law, in response to the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte last month. They also talk about other legislative happenings, including mini budget bills awaiting House action, including law enforcement raises and bonuses for the National Guard. Plus, a controversial bill to defund Planned Parenthood.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Avi Bajpai

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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.

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The political ramifications of the Charlotte light rail stabbing Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

This week, host Dawn Vaughan is joined by reporters Mary Ramsey and Julia Coin from our sister paper The Charlotte Observer. Ramsey covers Charlotte area politics, and Coin covers courts and public safety.

Last month’s fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte light rail by DeCarlos Brown Jr. has drawn national attention. Coin and Ramsey have been part of the team at the Observer covering the situation, including the Charlotte Area Transit System’s release of video footage, the police response, and the political ramifications at the local, state and federal level.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Julia Coin, Mary Ramsey

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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

Counting down the days to a potential government shutdown Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

This week, host Dawn Vaughan talks to McClatchy D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about what she’s keeping tabs on on Capitol Hill, namely the impending Sept. 30 deadline for Congress to pass 12 appropriations bills in order to prevent a government shutdown. They break down the potential impacts of the federal budget on North Carolina. You’ll also hear about the latest developments in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District race.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Danielle Battaglia

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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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Charlotte-Mecklenburg political figures in the spotlight Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

This week, Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan and Mary Ramsey discuss prominent figures in Charlotte-Mecklenburg politics, particularly Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham and Democratic Rep. Carla Cunningham: From Cunningham's controversial speech on immigration, which could lead to a primary challenge, to Cotham's undisclosed surgery and changed political standing and key issues in Charlotte's local elections.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Mary Ramsey

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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NC universities ramp up congressional lobbying spending Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan talks to higher ed reporter Korie Dean about why North Carolina universities like UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and Davidson College have significantly increased their spending on lobbying in the first six months of Donald Trump’s second term amid federal funding cuts.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Korie Dean

Producer: Kevin Keister

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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

Catching up on North Carolina’s anticipated U.S. Senate race Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

This week, state politics reporter Kyle Ingram is your guest host. He talks to D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about the anticipated matchup between two high profile candidates in the North Carolina U.S. Senate race: Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Party leader Michael Whatley.

Host: Kyle Ingram

Guest: Danielle Battaglia

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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

Could NC colleges see fewer international students this fall? Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration has enacted several policies and procedures that are making it more difficult for students to obtain visas. That could mean some students aren’t able to make it to the U.S., or North Carolina, in time for fall classes. On the podcast, Korie Dean and Sophia Bailly discuss the short- and long-term impacts of a potential drop in enrollment, covering the implications for on the state’s economy, research and global standing.

Host: Korie Dean

Guest: Sophia Bailly

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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 Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. 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

Rep. Brian Turner talks veto overrides and his return to the House Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan is joined by Rep. Brian Turner, a Democrat from Buncombe County. First elected in 2014, Turner served the House and then took a term off, then came back. We talk about why he left and why he came back, and his career from Mills Manufacturing to UNC Asheville. More than a decade later, Turner has a unique perspective of serving under different Democratic House leadership, different governors and with a lot of different legislators.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Rep. Brian Turner

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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Veto override chances at the NCGA Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Dawn Vaughan, Capitol bureau chief and host of Under the Dome is joined by politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Ronni Butts to talk about the incredibly busy day of veto override votes expected Tuesday in both the House and the Senate of the North Carolina General Assembly.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Avi Bajpai and Ronni Butts

Executive 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

All things state employees with State HR director Staci Meyer Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

This week on Under the Dome, host Dawn Vaughan interviews Staci Meyer, director of the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources. Meyer has spent her entire career in public service across various state agencies. Vaughan and Meyer talk about vacancy rates, recruitment and retention efforts by the state, plus the latest on state employee pay raises.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Staci Meyer

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

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