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
Project 170: Questioning candidates of all 170 ...
In this episode of Under the Dome for the week of Oct. 3, 2022, News & Observer politics reporter Dawn Vaughan talks with Kyle Ingram about our Project 170, which brings coverage of legislative races statewide.
17 min
102
Loan taxes, beach pizza politics, and what Reps...
On Under the Dome for the week of Sept. 26, 2022, find out what N&O reporters Dawn Vaughan and Lars Dolder said about the latest in Medicaid expansion, what you missed at Politics at the Pub with Rep. Saine and Leader Reives, loan taxes, beach pizza and golf.
17 min
103
Scouting Out a Former President
In this episode of Under the Dome for Sept. 19, 2022, News & Observer politics reporters Dawn Vaughan and Will Doran talk about why former President George W. Bush was in Raleigh, plus the latest on Voter ID and our Headliners of the Week.
19 min
104
Why Don't You Just Meet Me in the Middle?
In this Under the Dome for the week of Sept. 12, 2022, N&O politics reporter Dawn Vaughan talks with Congressional reporter Danielle Battaglia about candidates moving toward the middle -- or are they? -- as Election Day gets closer. Plus our picks for Headliner of the Week.
20 min
105
Elections countdown: Why Democrats need Kamala ...
In Under the Dome for Sept. 5, 2022, Dawn Vaughan and Avi Bajpai talk about why Vice President Kamala Harris made yet another trip to North Carolina and what that means, plus an elections trust tour and our picks for Headliner of the Week. Spoiler: Dogs and basketball.
20 min
106
Look Ahead: First Day of School and Eyes on Mid...
In this Under the Dome Look Ahead for Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, Dawn Vaughan and Lars Dolder discuss education as the school year begins and what legislative leaders are saying about top of mind midterms issues like abortion. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week.
19 min
107
Look ahead: NC's 20-week abortion ban and a far...
In this episode, reporter Luciana Pérez Uribe Guinassi dives into the 20-week abortion ban reinstated by a federal judge in North Carolina last week. Plus, Danielle Battaglia sends off summer politics intern Kyle Ingram on his last day at The News & Observer.
20 min
108
Look ahead: Women and children first?
Longtime News & Observer reporter Tammy Grubb joins Under the Dome to talk about her new series Women & Children First?
20 min
109
Special episode: Politics at the Pub
The News & Observer and NC Insider kicked off a new "Politics at the Pub" event series Wednesday. Our first gathering was at the Raleigh Times and was sponsored by Randolph Cloud & Associates and Fidelity Investments.
24 min
110
Look ahead: Mo Money Mo Problems? The latest ca...
New federal and state campaign finance reports show money is rolling in for candidates... Some more than others. The News & Observer's Will Doran and Washington DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia dive into what the numbers say about key races. Plus, Headliner of the Week!
17 min
111
Look ahead: North Carolina named No. 1 in Business
Danielle Battaglia and Will Doran discuss how North Carolina is honored with the distinction as the best state for business and lawmakers are credited with putting partisan politics aside.
21 min
112
Look Ahead: Ballot drama and control of the leg...
N&O politics reporters Dawn Vaughan and Kyle Ingram discuss the Green Party ballot drama, Democrats' midterm strategy and more North Carolina political news.
14 min
113
Look Ahead for July 5, 2022
In this week's Under the Dome episode, Dawn Vaughan and Lars Dolder of The N&O and Insider discuss the final votes of the state budget bill now on Gov. Cooper's desk and what happens next.
17 min
114
Look Ahead: What does SCOTUS overturning Roe vs...
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, leaving the question of whether abortion is legal for the states to answer. The News & Observer's Will Doran spoke to The Charlotte Observer's Hannah Smoot about North Carolinians' reactions and the future of abortion rights in the state.
18 min
115
Look ahead: LGBTQ caucus and the fast-track budget
In this look ahead for the week of June 20, N&O reporter Dawn Vaughan and N&O politics intern Kyle Ingram discuss his interviews with the NCGA's LGBTQ members, plus what to expect as the state budget process moves forward.
12 min
116
Look ahead: From Capitol Hill, gun control and ...
After the shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, the biggest topics on Capitol Hill is gun control. Danielle Battaglia from McClatchy DC talks to North Carolina Congresswoman Deborah Ross about gun law, "Dreamers," and her favorite spots on Capitol Hill and her district.
21 min
117
Look Ahead: What's next for these 3 bills passe...
Medicaid expansion, legalization of medical marijuana and a ban on instruction of LGBTQ issues in K-3 classrooms were all approved by the North Carolina Senate last week.
20 min
118
Look Ahead: NC Republicans torn over Medicaid e...
NC lawmakers have a full agenda this summer and reporter Will Doran walks us through Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana, the “Parents Bill of Rights,” and more.
11 min
119
Look Ahead: The General Assembly is back!
Preview of the 2022 "short" legislative session with Dawn Vaughan and Will Doran.
16 min
120
Bonus Episode: Breaking down the 2022 primary r...
News & Observer reporters Will Doran and Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan break down what happened with Madison Cawthorn, the successes Black Democrats had, and Gov. Roy Cooper’s big gamble.
18 min
121
Look Ahead: It's primary week! Who's on the bal...
It's finally primary week! In this episode of Under the Dome, Dawn Vaughan and Danielle Battaglia talk about the big races in the North Carolina primary on May 17 and what's at play. Plus stay tuned for their picks for Headliner of the Week.
14 min
122
Closer look: How the SCOTUS leak could impact l...
The News & Observer's Danielle Battaglia and Avi Bajpai discuss the ways in which the leaked ruling from the United States Supreme Court could impact midterm elections here in North Carolina.
24 min
123
Look Ahead: Drip, drip, drip — impact of early ...
With early voting underway, News & Observer reporter Dawn Vaughan and Insider editor Brian Murphy talk about how turnout will impact the primary, what growth in Southern Wake County means, plus their picks for Headliner of Week.
15 min
124
Look ahead: The Democratic primary for U.S. Hou...
NC Insider editor Brian Murphy discusses the open Democratic primary for U.S. House in District 4 with former state Sen. Floyd McKissick and Asher Hildebrand, the former chief of staff for retiring Rep. David Price.
39 min
125
Look Ahead: How much will endorsements matter i...
News & Observer reporters Dawn Vaughan and Will Doran talk about the power of major endorsements in the North Carolina primary and what other factors are at play for the upcoming election.
21 min