For the week of Sept. 25, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan is joined (again) by politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram. The General Assembly is full of surprises, not just policy provisions hidden deep in the state budget, but we cover that part, too. This past week brought the final, actually here, budget deal, and casinos weren’t in it. Within a week, the budget will become law. We break down some of the play-by-play, a lot of analysis, ...
Sep 25, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 174
In the latest episode, for the week of Sept. 18, 2023, Dawn Vaughan, your News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host, is joined by politics team colleagues Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram. As much as everyone — especially state employees and teachers waiting on raises — wished for final budget votes last week, they didn’t happen. Will they happen this week? Don’t hold your breath. After the break, gun laws after the recent gun violence on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, and what Berger and...
Sep 18, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 173
For the week of Sept. 11, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics team colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai to talk about the potential for the long-awaited, much anticipated arrival of the state budget. Stayed tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week, which range from political soda to the weather to downtown Raleigh music. Host: Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan Guest: Kyle Ingram, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinass...
Sep 11, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 173
For the week of Sept. 4, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan talks about the future of sports gambling in North Carolina with Scott Ward, vice president of the Sports Betting Alliance. The alliance is comprised of sports betting companies Draft Kings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Fanatics Sportsbook. After the break, Korie Dean, who covers higher education, and politics reporter Kyle Ingram, who also writes our Under the Dome newsletter, share more #ncpol updates ...
Sep 04, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 172
For the week of Aug. 28, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan talks with retired UNC Chapel Hill history professor Reginald Hildebrand and N.C. Sen. Natalie Murdock about the new North Carolina Freedom Park in downtown Raleigh. Hildebrand and Murdock, who both served key roles on the park’s planning, discuss the site selection to why “I Can’t Breathe,” the words said by George Floyd before being killed by Minneapolis police in 2020, is among the quotations...
Aug 28, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 171
For the week of Aug. 21, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast Dawn Vaughan talks with N&O politics team colleagues Kyle Ingram and Korie Dean about the busy one-day voting session last week — from the veto overrides of bills about transgender youth and athletes to new bills. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week. Spoilers: they range from new music to the collegiate return to campus and the opening of North Carolina Freedom Park. Host: Dawn Vau...
Aug 21, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 170
For the week of Aug. 14, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan talks with Suzanne Beasley, the government relations director for the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC). She’s been through delayed budgets before, which means a delay in raises for tens of thousands of state employees. But it’s not just about the wait on raises, according to Beasley, it’s about what the amount will be. Host: Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan Guest: Suzanne Beasley (S...
Aug 14, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 169
For the week of Aug. 7, 2023, N&O politics reporter Kyle Ingram is podcast host for Dawn Vaughan. First up is a look into the North Carolina Speaker of the House position, which longtime Speaker Tim Moore recently said he does not plan to run for again. After the break, DC Correspondent Danielle Battaglia joins to discuss former President Donald Trump’s latest criminal indictment. Plus, stick to the end of each segment for their Headliners of the Week. Host: Kyle Ingram Guest: Luciana Perez ...
Aug 07, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 163
For the week of July 31, 2023, we broke down our episode into two segments. First up are two of our local government reporters, because while statewide elections are more than a year away, local ones are coming up this fall. After the break, I’m joined by our summer politics interns: Makiya Seminera with The N&O and Jazper Lu with NC Insider, one of our two daily politics newsletters. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Kristen Johnson, Mary Helen Moore, Jazper Lu, Makiya Seminera Executive Producer:...
Jul 31, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 162
For the week of July 24, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan talked with WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell, a longtime legislative reporter. The NC state budget is delayed again this summer. How often has the General Assembly delayed the budget? Plus, stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Colin Campbell Executive Producer: Laura Brache Video: Kaitlin McKeown, Kevin Keister For more North Carolina g...
Jul 24, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 161
For the week of July 17, 2023, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan interviews N.C. Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham Democrat who is also a former judge and Olympian, and the House Democratic whip. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week about the timing of the legislative session and what can be done about it. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Rep. Marcia Morey Executive Producer: Laura Brache Editing and video: Kevin Keister For more North Carolina ...
Jul 17, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 160
For the week of July 10, 2023, Under the Dome politics podcast host and News & Observer Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with her politics team colleagues, legislative correspondent Kyle Ingram and summer intern Makiya Seminera, about three significant bills vetoed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. All three impact transgender North Carolinians, from sports to health care to public schools. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Kyle Ingram and Makiya Seminera Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Pro...
Jul 10, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 159
On this episode for the week of July 3, 2023, host Lars Dolder talks with politics team colleagues Korie Dean and Avi Bajpai about two landmark rulings delivered by the U.S. Supreme Court that have direct North Carolina connects. Plus, hear about a prominent North Carolina Democrat who is eyeing a gubernatorial campaign, and Headliner of the Week. Host: Lars Dolder Guests: Avi Bajpai, Korie Dean Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Produced by: Laura Brache Video: Kevin Keister and Kaitlin McKeow...
Jul 03, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 158
For the week of June 26, 2023, N&O Capitol Bureau Chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan interviews N.C. House Republican Majority Leader John Bell about avoiding the camera, his pick for U.S. president and the lawsuit against House Speaker Tim Moore. Plus, hear Bell’s menu item of choice from the Legislative Cafeteria and stay tuned to the end for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Rep. John Bell (R) Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Produced and edited by: Laura Brache Video: ...
Jun 26, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 157
On this episode for the week of June 19, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with N&O legislative correspondent Kyle Ingram about why bills about boards are nowhere near boring. That’s because they are about control over elections, separation of powers, the role of the governor and how the legislature is trying to shift power. Plus, hear about another elections bill that would make a variety of changes to how you cast your vote. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Kyle Ingram ...
Jun 19, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 156
On this episode for the week of June 12, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observer's state Capitol bureau chief interviewed Sen. Todd Johnson, a Union County Republican. They discuss budget priorities, including raises, and the timeline for passing the state budget. Johnson is on the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee and chairs one of the subcommittees. Listen to what Johnson’s favorite item in the Legislative Cafeteria is, and stick to the end for their picks for Headliner of t...
Jun 12, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 155
On this episode for the week of June 5, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan talks with Washington, D.C., correspondent Danielle Battaglia about how North Carolina’s congressional delegation factored into the federal government’s debt ceiling dealings and deadline. Plus, what to expect at the General Assembly this week, including final votes on legalizing online sports betting. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Danielle Battaglia Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Produced and edited by: Laura Brache Video: Kevin ...
Jun 05, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 154
On this episode for the week of May 29, 2023, state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina. SEANC and Republican state agency leaders are the latest to sound the alarm about the impact of North Carolina state employees’ vacancy rate, which is is nearing 25%. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week, both about remembering those who have gone before us. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Ar...
May 29, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 153
On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 22, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporters Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai about the abortion veto override, tension on the House floor and what it means for the atmosphere at the Legislative Building. Listen to audio from the final, dramatic moment that a supermajority of Republicans overturned Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the...
May 22, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 152
On the May 15, 2023 episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews state Sen. Mary Wills Bode about the abortion bill veto and debate. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Sen. Mary Wills Bode Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Produced and edited by: Laura Brache For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsle...
May 15, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 151
On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 8, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan discusses what’s happening in North Carolina politics with colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai. Vaughan, Perez Uribe and Bajpai talked about the House and Senate debate over Senate Bill 20, the abortion restrictions bill. From parliamentary procedure to the timing of debate, hear what it was like to be in the room. H...
May 08, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 150
On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 1, 2023, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan discusses what’s happening in North Carolina politics with colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Korie Dean. Monday is busier than usual in the legislature, and a big reason is a deadline known as crossover on May 4, when most bills need to pass at least one chamber in order to move ahead in the current session. Dean talks about ...
May 01, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 149
On this new episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interview Republican Rep. Jon Hardister about being the House GOP caucus whip, caucus changes with Rep. Tricia Cotham joining the party, education issues and more. Plus Hardister's cafeteria go-to and their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: North Carolina Rep. Jon Hardister Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Producer and edi...
Apr 24, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 148
On this Under the Dome episode for the week of April 17, 2023, host and Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Vaughan talks with D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Congressman Jackson's TikTok drama and what's ahead at the legislature now that Rep. Tricia Cotham is a Republican. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 17, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 147
On this episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, NC Insider editor Lars Dolder fills in as host for Dawn Vaughan and talks to politics team freelancer Kyle Ingram, Charlotte Observer local news editor Josh Bergeron and congressional correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Rep. Tricia Cotham defection from the Democratic Party to the NC GOP House caucus. Plus an update on the state budget and their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Lars Dolder Guests: NC politics...
Apr 10, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 146
On this latest episode of the News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host Dawn Vaughan talks with politics teammate Lars Dolder about the dramatic House veto override, shining a light on a budget item and their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader Producer: Laura Brache Audio editor: Laura Brache For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer ...
Apr 03, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 145
On this episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, host Dawn Vaughan talks about the sports betting bill and corporate taxes with Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a Raleigh Democrat. Plus what's coming up this week at the legislature and their picks for Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 144
On this episode of the News & Observer’s NC politics podcast, host Dawn Vaughan and the rest of the state politics team talk about the N.C. Supreme Court, Cooper's budget, gun debate, plus Headliner of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 20, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 143
On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of March 13, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan interviews Republican Sen. Vickie Sawyer of Iredell County. They talk mostly about high school sports, as well as the Senate Republican supermajority, abortion, the CROWN Act and more. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week, both about Senate words. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 13, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 142
On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of March 6, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan talks with Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi about the big Medicaid expansion deal between the House and the Senate. Plus the Senate puff-puff-passing medical marijuana, the upcoming State of the State and what else is coming up. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week, state symbols edition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 06, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 141
