Pandemic Updates, An Improved Budget Forecast, And Calls For A Chancellor To Step Down
From the next vaccination group to poor report cards, there were several pandemic developments in the state this week.
Feb 12, 2021•17 min
WUNC Politics
The WUNC Politics Podcast is a free-flowing discussion of what we're hearing in the back hallways of the General Assembly and on the campaign trail across North Carolina.
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Episodes
NC Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson On The Constitution, Teaching History, And Discrimination
Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson is the highest ranking Black elected official in state history. And he does not shy away from sharing his opinions. On this episode of The Politics Podcast, Robinson covers a range of topics as he settles into his post as Lieutenant Governor.
Feb 10, 2021•26 min
NC Republicans Vote Against Punishment For Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
This week on Capitol Hill, Republicans tried to downplay the social media posts of controversial new member Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Meanwhile, as state lawmakers appropriated billions of dollars in federal relief funds, the governor called on them to do more.
Feb 05, 2021•18 min
The Unrest That Led To Arrests Of The Wilmington Ten
In February 1971, an incident of racial unrest in Wilmington, N.C. ultimately led to the wrongful convictions of 10 people. “The Wilmington Ten” serves as title for one of the greatest chapters of injustice in North Carolina history.
Feb 02, 2021•19 min
Objections To A Trial, And Curriculum
North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr joined 43 of their GOP colleagues in objecting to a Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump this week.
Jan 29, 2021•23 min
A 2021 State Politics Primer
It's likely to be another bustling year in North Carolina politics. A U.S. Senate race is taking shape, redistricting is on the summer horizon, and Republican legislative leaders and the Democratic governor once again battle over the budget.
Jan 26, 2021•24 min
With Biden In, Major Parties Consider Their Next Moves
Joe Biden was sworn in as the nation's 46th president on Wednesday, as Kamala Harris became the first female, Black and Asian vice president.
Jan 22, 2021•24 min
With Trump Gone From The White House, Where Do NC Republicans Go Next?
Donald Trump was a divisive president, however his popularity persisted in North Carolina. Enthusiasm over the unconventional leader helped Republicans drum up a win in 2020.
Jan 19, 2021•19 min
Another Impeachment, More Threats Of Violence
Congress held an unprecedented impeachment vote this week, following the president’s role in the January 6th act of domestic terrorism on the U.S. Capitol.
Jan 15, 2021•22 min
Political Extremists: From Capitol Hill To Wilmington
The only successful political insurrection in American history took place in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1898. On this episode of the podcast Duke professor Deondra Rose discusses that little-known dark chapter in U.S. history, and how it might help us understand the events of last week.
Jan 12, 2021•20 min
Should NC Republicans Shoulder Any Blame For The Attack On The US Capitol?
It was an extraordinary week in American history. After a failed insurrection on Capitol Hill, Congress certified the election of Joe Biden over Donald Trump. In our weekly political roundup, Clark Riemer and Aisha Dew discuss.
Jan 08, 2021•22 min
Rep. Deborah Ross On A Chaotic Start To Congress
Democratic U.S. House Representative Deborah Ross was sworn into the 117th Congress on Sunday. Ross now serves a redrawn Wake County district, and is optimistic about politics in 2021. On this episode she talks about crucial Senate runoffs in Georgia, and shares how many GOP colleagues she has cell phone numbers for.
Jan 05, 2021•18 min
Will Anything In NC Politics Change In 2021?
2020 was an exhausting year for North Carolinians, and in the world of news and politics.
Dec 31, 2020•19 min
Journalists Reflect On 2020
It was unprecedented, exhausting, unrelenting and — to at least one local reporter — bananas. The 2020 calendar will be remembered for a pandemic, racial reckoning and a once-in-a-generation election. On this episode of the WUNC Politics Podcast, journalists reflect on what they will remember most from this wild year.
Dec 22, 2020•24 min
Biden Eyes North Carolina Leaders
Several elected officials from North Carolina are in the mix for positions within President-elect Joe Biden's administration. State Environmental Secretary Michael Regan, for one, has been tapped to lead the EPA.
Dec 18, 2020•16 min
Anatomy Of A Governor
What is the typical gubernatorial profile in North Carolina? Are there patterns in the background, upbringing or political composition of those who have occupied the Governor's Mansion during the last 50 years? And what might these patterns tell us about who could be chief executive going forward?
Dec 15, 2020•19 min
Cooper's Curfew In Effect, And A Push For Loan Forgiveness
With hospitalizations and new cases of COVID infections surging, a curfew takes effect on Friday night. Meanwhile the Attorney General joined a lawsuit against Facebook.
Dec 11, 2020•15 min
Congressman-Elect Cawthorn, A New Firebrand Of Conservatism?
Congressman-Elect Madison Cawthorn is set to steal the seat last held by former Representative Mark Meadows. Cawthorn, a Republican, will become the youngest member of the U.S. House of Representatives by six years. On this episode of The Politics Podcast, Cawthorn discusses plans for Capitol Hill, and allegations of anti-semitism.
Dec 08, 2020•24 min
Mark Walker Is First Out Of The 2022 Senate Gate
Republican Congressman Mark Walker announced this week that he will vie for an open North Carolina Senate seat. Meanwhile this week in state politics, a federal appellate court ruled in favor of a photo voter ID requirement. And, the closest statewide race in North Carolina history isn't over quite yet.
Dec 04, 2020•13 min
Representing The 6th: Kathy Manning Is Gearing Up For The U.S. House
In the beginning of the new year, the 117th Congress will be sworn in and North Carolina will welcome three new representatives to its delegation. Congresswoman-elect Kathy Manning will be among them, representing the state’s 6th District that encompasses most of the Triad. She'll be the first woman to represent that district and North Carolina's first Jewish congresswoman.
Dec 01, 2020•15 min
Chasing Conventions, Candidates And The Truth
Jim Morrill started covering politics during the Reagan administration. After reporting on dozens of elections, 11 national conventions and countless elected officials, the longtime Charlotte Observer journalist is retiring.
Nov 24, 2020•29 min
Lara Trump Eyes NC Senate Run In 2022
Election Day month rolls on with a recount in the North Carolina Chief Justice Supreme Court contest. A crowded field of candidates is forming for a vacant U.S. Senate seat. In our latest review of North Carolina politics, Aisha Dew and Becki Gray discuss those races, the likelihood Republicans will decriminalize marijuana, and what they're appreciative for this November.
Nov 20, 2020•16 min
The Split Ticket: When Voters Go Outside The Party Lines
In the last 40 years, North Carolina has voted for a president and governor from separate parties in seven out of 11 elections. Each time the state has split the vote, North Carolinians have elected a Republican president and a Democratic governor. The 2020 election produced the same result, as thousands of people voted for President Donald Trump and Governor Roy Cooper.
Nov 17, 2020•22 min
All North Carolina's Votes Are Now In
County elections boards have finalized their official vote tallies. Still, on Friday the race to be chief justice of the state Supreme Court looked almost certainly headed for a recount.
Nov 13, 2020•19 min
A Ticket Splitting Status Quo
For all the hundreds of millions of dollars that were spent in North Carolina during the 2020 election cycle, not all that much changed. The GOP will maintain legislative majorities, and likely again spar with a Democratic Governor. Conservatives were able to add seats on the state courts, which may benefit them when it comes time for the next round of redistricting. On this latest episode of the WUNC Politics Podcast Meredith College Political Science Professor David McLennan and Associated Pre...
Nov 10, 2020•20 min
What A Year This Week Was
Election Day brought little closure for our nation or our state in 2020.
Nov 06, 2020•20 min
From 'Tested': The Anti-Bias Classroom
Virtual learning has changed almost everything about the classroom experience in North Carolina, but implicit racial biases remain as a hindrance to students' education. Microaggressions and discriminatory behavior from teachers and other classmates can have detrimental effects on students of color, especially young children in preschool.
Nov 03, 2020•19 min
Predictions For A Quiet Election Day In North Carolina With Races Too Close To Call
At least 4 million North Carolina voters won't be at the polls next Tuesday because they've already cast their ballots. And the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week officials can keep counting mail-in ballots for nine days after Election Day.
Oct 30, 2020•18 min
Closing In On Election Day
With less than two weeks until November 3, more than two million people have already voted. In our review of the week in state politics, Democratic strategist Aisha Dew and former chair of the North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans Clark Riemer discuss when they expect to have results and how they’re feeling about the races. Plus, what to make – if anything – about the Governor’s comment on Cal Cunningham.
Oct 23, 2020•17 min
Voters Surge, Along With Virus
This week: North Carolina voters turned out in record numbers for the start of in-person early voting. Lines were made longer by social distancing — the polls are open as cases of COVID-19 across the state are surging.
Oct 16, 2020•17 min
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