Episodes

  • What to know as North Carolina candidate filing for 2026 begins

    What to know as North Carolina candidate filing for 2026 begins
    Dec 2 2025
    Candidate filing for the 2026 election has begun in North Carolina. Under the Dome politics podcast host Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporters Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Kyle Ingram about what to know as filing gets underway, plus races we are watching. Plus new state laws, how the feds impact the hemp industry and our picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and 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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    24 mins
  • Thanksgiving travel, RDU and the NC DMV

    Thanksgiving travel, RDU and the NC DMV
    Nov 25 2025
    On the latest episode of the Under the Dome podcast for Nov. 25, 2025, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and host Dawn Vaughan talks with transportation reporter Richard Stradling about what's changed at the NC DMV, what's coming soon at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and what to expect as you travel in North Carolina this Thanksgiving week. Plus stayed tuned for their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Richard Stradling 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
  • Federal shutdown ends, impact on NC lingers

    Federal shutdown ends, impact on NC lingers
    Nov 18 2025
    On this new episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast for Nov. 18, 2025, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia about the end to the federal government shutdown and funding restarting, plus how Rep. Don Davis' vote factored in. 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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    23 mins
  • How NC’s state budget delay is impacting K-12 education, teachers

    How NC’s state budget delay is impacting K-12 education, teachers
    Nov 11 2025
    This week, host Dawn Vaughan and News & Observer K-12 education reporter T. Keung Hui discuss how the long-delayed new comprehensive state budget is impacting education funding, including raises for teachers and other school employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 mins
  • The federal shutdown hits 36 days. What is NC’s delegation doing?

    The federal shutdown hits 36 days. What is NC’s delegation doing?
    Nov 4 2025
    This week, host Dawn Vaughan and McClatchy DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia discuss the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 36th day with no signs of a resolution. As The News & Observer has previously reported, the shutdown is affecting federal workers and social safety net programs, like SNAP and WIC, and public reception of the White House renovations during the shutdown haven’t been great. 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Nearing November, here’s why NC budget talks remain stalled

    Nearing November, here’s why NC budget talks remain stalled
    Oct 28 2025
    Just days away from November, North Carolina still does not have a new comprehensive budget. As Capitol bureau chief and host Dawn Vaughan explains, the battle is actually between Republicans this time — not Republicans and Democrats. The team discusses the reasons for the holdup, including tax fights, plus why a clean Medicaid rebase bill couldn’t make it across the finish line. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi 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
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    22 mins
  • Monitoring the progress of the new GOP-backed congressional map

    Monitoring the progress of the new GOP-backed congressional map
    Oct 21 2025
    This week, host Dawn Vaughan and reporter Kyle Ingram discuss (so far, successful) efforts by Republicans in the legislature to redraw the state’s congressional map. There’s a long history of redistricting and gerrymandering in North Carolina. In Monster: Maps, Math & Power in North Carolina — a four-part podcast series by former investigative reporter Tyler Dukes — The N&O explores how maps are drawn, their political impact on the state and the ongoing fight against gerrymandering. Find all four episodes here, or listen to them individually: Part 1: So you want to make a map... Part 2: What gerrymandering isn’t Part 3: Math on the front lines Part 4: Making NC maps in 2021 Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Kyle Ingram 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
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    20 mins
  • A Conversation with Gabe Esparza, NC Department of Administration Secretary

    A Conversation with Gabe Esparza, NC Department of Administration Secretary
    Oct 14 2025
    As Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month comes to a close, host Dawn Vaughan sat down with North Carolina Department of Administration secretary Gabe Esparza, the first Latino member of Gov. Josh Stein’s cabinet. The two discuss Esparza’s journey from the private sector to public service and his background as a third-generation Mexican-American. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Gabe Esparza 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
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    25 mins