Episodes

  • It’s crunch time for the North Carolina legislature

    It’s crunch time for the North Carolina legislature
    Jun 24 2025
    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 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
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    23 mins
  • Changes at the NCGA in 2025, with WUNC’s Colin Campbell

    Changes at the NCGA in 2025, with WUNC’s Colin Campbell
    Jun 17 2025
    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 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
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    24 mins
  • GOP Rep. Allen Chesser on how 9/11 and COVID-19 rules shaped his life

    GOP Rep. Allen Chesser on how 9/11 and COVID-19 rules shaped his life
    Jun 10 2025
    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 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
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    26 mins
  • What’s next for Trump's ‘big beautiful bill’ and what it means for North Carolina

    What’s next for Trump's ‘big beautiful bill’ and what it means for North Carolina
    Jun 3 2025
    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 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
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    19 mins
  • A Q&A with Paul Tine, North Carolina’s new DMV commissioner

    A Q&A with Paul Tine, North Carolina’s new DMV commissioner
    May 27 2025
    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 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
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    17 mins
  • NC House’s budget plan for education and public safety

    NC House’s budget plan for education and public safety
    May 20 2025
    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 ⁠ 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
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    24 mins
  • Rep. Jake Johnson on budget, oversight and his journey from Polk County to the House

    Rep. Jake Johnson on budget, oversight and his journey from Polk County to the House
    May 13 2025
    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 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
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    31 mins
  • NC’s crossover deadline is here. Here's what bills have a chance.

    NC’s crossover deadline is here. Here's what bills have a chance.
    May 6 2025
    This is crossover week, the busy time at the North Carolina General Assembly that leads up to the May 8 crossover deadline. That’s a self-imposed cutoff date for legislation to pass at least one chamber. Host Dawn Vaughan talks to politics editor Jordan Schrader and politics reporter Kyle Ingram and break down what that means for North Carolina laws. Host: ⁠⁠Dawn Vaughan⁠⁠ Guest: Kyle Ingram, Jordan Schrader 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 Monday 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
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    22 mins