Episodes

  • NC primaries to watch: GOP U.S. Senate and Durham U.S. House races

    NC primaries to watch: GOP U.S. Senate and Durham U.S. House races
    Feb 10 2026
    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
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    23 mins
  • UNC budget cuts and DC budget, ICE battles

    UNC budget cuts and DC budget, ICE battles
    Feb 3 2026
    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
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    21 mins
  • Changes in early voting days in NC, UNC cuts

    Changes in early voting days in NC, UNC cuts
    Jan 27 2026
    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
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    20 mins
  • Charlotte goes to Raleigh for Oversight hearing on public safety

    Charlotte goes to Raleigh for Oversight hearing on public safety
    Jan 20 2026
    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
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    23 mins
  • Vacant jobs and costs in NC state government

    Vacant jobs and costs in NC state government
    Jan 13 2026
    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
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    22 mins
  • An interview with NC Gov. Josh Stein on 2026 legislative battles on taxes, budget, Medicaid funding

    An interview with NC Gov. Josh Stein on 2026 legislative battles on taxes, budget, Medicaid funding
    Jan 6 2026
    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
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    24 mins
  • How the big NC politics stories of 2025 may shape 2026

    How the big NC politics stories of 2025 may shape 2026
    Dec 23 2025
    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
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    24 mins
  • NC Congressional primary candidates, and weight of a Trump endorsement

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