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
101
Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham Democrat, on court ...
For the week of July 17, 2023, 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.
22 min
102
Three vetoed transgender bills are up for overr...
Start your week with Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast hosted by Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan.
19 min
103
Two major SCOTUS rulings for NC and update on t...
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.
20 min
104
Catching up with NC House Majority Leader John ...
N&O Capitol Bureau Chief and podcast host Dawn Vaughan interviews N.C. House Republican Majority Leader John Bell.
23 min
105
Why bills about NC boards are a big deal
Host Dawn Vaughan talks with N&O legislative correspondent Kyle Ingram about why bills about boards are nowhere near boring.
18 min
106
NC Sen. Todd Johnson on budget, raises, biscuit...
Host Dawn Vaughan talks with state Sen. Todd Johnson, a Union County Republican.
20 min
107
Why North Carolina played a key role in the fed...
Host Dawn Vaughan and Capitol Hill correspondent Danielle Battaglia talk about the key role North Carolina’s congressional delegation played in debt ceiling negotiations.
21 min
108
The head of SEANC talks what’s at stake for NC ...
The News & Observer’s state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina.
21 min
109
Wrapping up a tense week at the N.C. General As...
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.
21 min
110
Triangle Democratic Sen. Mary Wills Bode on the...
Host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews state Sen. Mary Wills Bode about the abortion debate.
22 min
111
Behind the scenes of the legislative abortion d...
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.
22 min
112
Voting rights rulings, ‘compelled speech’ and a...
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.
15 min
113
Whipping the votes with Republican Rep. Jon Har...
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.
23 min
114
TikTok Jackson and a different NCGA this week
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.
22 min
115
How Rep. Tricia Cotham's move will have major r...
NC Insider editor Lars Dolder fills in 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.
23 min
116
House veto override drama and budget Easter eggs
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.
23 min
117
Sports betting bill and corporate tax talk with...
Host Dawn Vaughan talks about the sports betting bill and corporate taxes with Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a Raleigh Democrat.
21 min
118
NC Supreme Court cases, power plays, the budget...
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.
26 min
119
Sports, State of the State and the GOP Senate s...
Host Dawn Vaughan interviews Republican state Sen. Vickie Sawyer of Iredell County.
21 min
120
Medicaid expansion, marijuana and Democratic ch...
Host Dawn Vaughan talks with N&O politics reporter Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi about the big Medicaid expansion deal between the House and the Senate.
17 min
121
Interview with Senate Minority Dan Blue, also N...
Host Dawn Vaughan talks to Senate Minority Dan Blue about how he became the first Black speaker of the House in North Carolina, what it means today, what he thinks should happen with the long-stalled African Americans monument on the Capitol grounds and more.
26 min
122
Teaching Black history and not using it as 'a p...
News & Observer Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Vaughan interviews Rep. Amos Quick about how he learned Black history, how he thinks it should be taught, how he'll decide to vote with Republicans, and why he's a pastor.
21 min
123
There's a new caucus at the NCGA. What that cou...
Host Dawn Vaughan shares what the launch of the HBCU Caucus means for the lawmakers, the state and one of the schools: NCCU.
12 min
124
Black History Month with lawmakers who are livi...
Host and News & Observer reporter Dawn Vaughan interviews N.C. Sen. Natalie Murdock and Rep. Vernetta Alston about themselves, their families, their stance on legislation and more.
34 min
125
Congress, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the NC dele...
On this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Jan. 30, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan and DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia talk about what North Carolina's 14 U.S. House members have been up to lately, including the Speaker McCarthy drama.
23 min