Under the Dome

Each week, the Under the Dome team at The News & Observer brings you the most in-depth analysis of topics in state government and politics for North Carolina. Learn more at newsobserver.com/dome

News
Government
1
A month before election, GOP shifts money from ...
20 min
2
Politics of UNC Chapel Hill funding + NC House ...
Podcast summary: On this Sept. 29, 2026 episode of The News & Observer politics podcast Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell and legislative and lobbying reporter Esther Frances about political power and the UNC Chapel Hill Board of Trustees -- and what the university is asking for from the General Assembly. Plus our election race to watch for this week, NC House District 62. And their picks for Headliner of the Week.
21 min
3
UNC System athletics, tuition increases, and Wa...
22 min
4
WUNC's Colin Campbell on state-owned vacant his...
21 min
5
DMV, ferries and roads + NC11 race to watch
21 min
6
25 years covering the General Assembly: Gary Ro...
24 min
7
NC Board of Elections primary decisions + ABC l...
21 min
8
Changes coming to UNC as fall semester begins
20 min
9
The future of Congressman Chuck Edwards' NC11 seat
23 min
10
NC House is back, with a to-do list from the Se...
23 min
11
New ICE detention center coming to NC
23 min
12
NC's US Senate race election countdown
21 min
13
Budget, veto, and a switch-up at the auditor's ...
17 min
14
Vetoes of anti-DEI bill overridden, and budget ...
20 min
15
Coastal sea walls, budget and election bills
22 min
16
Community college tuition break and development...
23 min
17
Board of Elections local vote, Voter ID hearing
19 min
18
NC House Oversight hearing focuses on Charlotte...
20 min
19
Amendments, taxes and war impact on costs this ...
20 min
20
Politics and sports crossover: NIL, UNC System ...
23 min
21
3 Weeks into NCGA short session, what bills are...
21 min
22
Rep. Erin Paré on House GOP majority, property ...
26 min
23
2026 NCGA session begins with Medicaid deal, pa...
18 min
24
New NCGA session and downzoning
20 min
25
America250 in North Carolina
20 min