Under the Dome

Latest Episodes:

What to know about a new cryptocurrency bill at the N.C. General Assembly Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

For the week of Feb. 24, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics team colleague Avi Bajpai and newsroom colleague Brian Gordon, who is The N&O’s business and technology reporter.

New Republican House Speaker Destin Hall’s cryptocurrency bill. House Bill 92 would allow State Treasurer Brad Briner to invest in “qualified digital assets.” Gordon explains why Republicans and others are supporters of Bitcoin, what it actually is, and what risk is involved in investing the state’s money.

Plus, Bajpai has details on the latest move by Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Republicans related to his power, and we talk about what else to expect at the General Assembly this week. Spoiler: a lot of Appropriations committees.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Brian Gordon

Executive Producer: Laura Brache

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New N.C. Labor Commissioner Luke Farley talks elevators, raises, and DEI Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

For the week of Feb. 17, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to new N.C. Labor Commissioner Luke Farley, a Republican about everything from elevators, the Labor Building itself, the 10% raises he wants for inspectors, eliminating DEI in his agency to getting Cherie Berry’s endorsement and more.

Stay tuned until the end for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: N.C. Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley

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

Trump's fire hose of executive orders, federal workers and the D.C. aircraft crash Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

For the week of Feb. 10, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to Washington correspondent Danielle Battaglia about the fire hose of President Donald Trump orders, comments and decisions over the past few weeks, including giving Elon Musk power, and the subsequent protest in downtown Raleigh against it all. Plus what people should know about Washington-area federal employees.

After the break, they talk about the recent Black Hawk helicopter and commercial airliner crash at National Airport, and the North Carolinians who were killed in the tragedy.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: 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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Upcoming redistricting trial, UNC BOG’s requests Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief, is joined by her politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram along with Korie Dean, who covers higher education to talk about theGeneral Assembly session business beginning for 2025, the redistricting trial, and UNC Board of Governors.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean and Kyle Ingram

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

Under the shadow of Helene and Trump, legislative work begins in North Carolina Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

For the week of Jan. 27, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks with legislative team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram about the General Assembly beginning its work and what's first on deck.

They also talk about the recent death of Rep. Joe John and President Donald Trump’s flurry of executive orders during the first week of his term, and a trickle-down effect in state government.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram

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

Donald Trump's second inauguration, presidential trivia and NC’s new treasurer Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

For the week of Jan. 20, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks to N&O politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi about what North Carolina and the country can expect in the first weeks of the new Trump administration. Some of the issues at play include immigration, taxes and the pressure to lower costs for Americans. After the break, Guinassi shares what she’s learned from an interview with new State Treasurer Brad Briner, and what that means for the State Health Plan.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Avi Bajpai and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi

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

North Carolina’s congressional GOP freshmen & Trump's immigration plans Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

For the week of Jan. 13, 2025, podcast host and The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks to Washington D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about the five new members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation. They also discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for immigration policy and how that may impact our state.

Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: 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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The long legislative session, inauguration and our 2025 In/Out list Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

For the week of Jan. 6, 2025, host Dawn Vaughan talks with reporters Kyle Ingram and Korie Dean about what you need to know this week with the General Assembly and new governor beginning their work with ceremonial events. They talk about what we are already seeing about how the legislature may interact with new Gov. Josh Stein.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Korie Dean, Kyle Ingram

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

Headliners of the Year for 2024 Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan and reporters Avi Bajpai and Korie Dean talk about their picks for Headliners of the Year, from the UNC protests to Gov. Cooper leaving office to changes at the legislature.

Guests: Korie Dean and Avi Bajpai

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

The NC GOP's latest veto override and a look ahead to immigration in 2025 Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Host Dawn Vaughan talks with Claudia Rivera Cotto, a reporter at Enlace Latino NC who covers political, government and immigration issues, about concerns facing immigrants in North Carolina with recent legislation and president-elect Donald Trump's campaign promises.

Stay tuned to the end for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Claudia Rivera Cotto

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