Under the Dome

Latest Episodes:

Tillis’ exit shakes up North Carolina's Senate race and DC politics Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s Under the Dome podcast, Kyle Ingram and Danielle Battaglia break down the aftermath of Thom Tillis dropping out of the 2026 Senate race and the impacts of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” on Medicaid, SNAP and other social safety net programs.

Host: Kyle Ingram

Guest: Danielle Battaglia

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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Breaking down potential overrides on DEI and other vetoes Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

This week on the Under the Dome podcast, join host Dawn Vaughan and reporters Avi Bajpai and Korie Dean for a deep dive into veto overrides, diversity, equity and inclusion conflicts, and swing votes shaping state policies this summer.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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What Thom Tillis’ decision to leave the Senate race means for NC Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics team colleague Kyle Ingram and N&O summer interns, Ronni Butts and Sophia Bailly, about U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis announcing he won’t be running for reelection, what this could mean for the remainder of Tillis’ term, and who could step into the race next.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Sophia Bailley, Ronni Butts, Kyle Ingram

Producer: Gabi Hartlaub

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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It’s crunch time for the North Carolina legislature Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

This week at the North Carolina General Assembly is going to be jam packed. We are in the final week of the legislative long session — sort of. Most policy will be passed during this last week, but not the biggest bill of all: the state budget. Host Dawn Vaughan breaks it all down with politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Korie Dean.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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Changes at the NCGA in 2025, with WUNC’s Colin Campbell Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan and WUNC's Colin Campbell talk about how the 2025 long legislative session is going, especially with Republican House Speaker Destin Hall at the helm for the first time. They discuss what and how policy, procedures, politics — and yet, even the schedule — is different under Hall compared to former House Speaker Tim Moore, who is now in Congress.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Colin Campbell

Producer: Gabriella Hartlaub

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GOP Rep. Allen Chesser on how 9/11 and COVID-19 rules shaped his life Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan interviews North Carolina Rep. Allen Chesser of Nash County about the family tragedy that led to his run for the state House, and the status of his bill about foster care, and why he recruited Democratic Rep. Vernetta Alston to cosponsor.

Stay tuned until the end for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Rep. Allen Chesser

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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What’s next for Trump's ‘big beautiful bill’ and what it means for North Carolina Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, host Dawn Vaughan talks with McClatchy DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Congress’ Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for the state, plus the roles of Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Danielle Battaglia

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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A Q&A with Paul Tine, North Carolina’s new DMV commissioner May 27, 2025

Show notes

Paul Tine became North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles commissioner on May 6, taking over a state agency known mostly these days for long lines and poor customer service. This episode includes highlights from an interview with Tine. He sat down with The News & Observer's transportation reporter Richard Stradling on Friday, May 9, 2025, his fourth day in office. The interview has been edited for clarity.

Reporter: Richard Stradling

Guest: Paul Tine

Recording: Kaitlin McKeown

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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NC House’s budget plan for education and public safety May 20, 2025

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan is joined by K-12 education reporter T. Keung Hui and politics reporter Avi Bajpai to discuss what’s in the NC House budget, including cuts, a UNC System tuition increase, and what the House wants to do in the areas of education and public safety.

Host: ⁠Dawn Vaughan⁠

Guests: T. Keung Hui & Avi Bajpai

Executive Producer: 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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Rep. Jake Johnson on budget, oversight and his journey from Polk County to the House May 13, 2025

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan interviews Rep. Jake Johnson, a Polk County Republican, about his early start in politics and what’s going on in the North Carolina House of Representatives, from the upcoming state budget to crossover to his role on the House Oversight Committee.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest:

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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