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
126
Look Ahead: The General Assembly is back!
Preview of the 2022 "short" legislative session with Dawn Vaughan and Will Doran.
16 min
127
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
128
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
129
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
130
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
131
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
132
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
133
Closer look: Trump and friends in Selma, North ...
News & Observer reporters Avi Bajpai and Lars Dolder check in from former President Donald J. Trump's political rally in Selma, North Carolina, on Saturday night.
30 min
134
Look ahead: Economic incentives, big companies ...
NC Insider editor Brian Murphy and News & Observer business reporter Lars Dolder discuss the VinFast announcement, economic incentives, and how the state's chase for a car manufacturer led to this point.
21 min
135
Look ahead: A new system to combat the opioid c...
News & Observer reporter Avi Bajpai talks with Nabarun Dasgupta, an epidemiologist at UNC-Chapel Hill, about the current state of the opioid crisis in North Carolina.
27 min
136
Look ahead: Are Lt. Gov Mark Robinson and U.S. ...
Danielle Battaglia from McClatchy DC and Will Wright from the Charlotte Observer discuss recent reporting about the degree to which Lt. Gov Mark Robinson and U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn might represent the future of the Republican Party. 
18 min
137
Look ahead: Madison Cawthorn, the GOP primary i...
NC Insider editor Brian Murphy and Western Carolina University political science and public affairs professor Chris Cooper discuss how Rep. Madison Cawthorn's latest controversies could impact the chances of other candidates in the crowded 11th Congressional District
30 min
138
Look Ahead: Masks off, primary candidates and s...
In this Week Ahead episode of Under the Dome for March 7, Dawn Vaughan and Will Doran talk about masks coming off in schools, the final primary showdowns of candidates and if the legislature might actually adjourn. Plus we shared a Dome favorite: Headliner of the Week.
19 min
139
The week ahead: February 28, 2022
NC Insider editor Brian Murphy and News & Observer reporter Will Doran discuss the most competitive legislative districts for 2022 in North Carolina's new maps.
26 min
140
The week ahead: February 21, 2022
News & Observer reporters Will Doran and Dawn Vaughan take a look at what's on deck in North Carolina politics for the week of February 21, 2022.
19 min
141
The week ahead: February 14, 2022
The News & Observer's D.C. reporter Danielle Battaglia discusses the top three things in North Carolina politics this week.
15 min
142
Under the Dome: Sports Wagering
NC insider editor Brian Murphy discusses the latest on North Carolina legislation to legalize online sports gambling with the N&O's Avi Bajpai.
25 min
143
The week ahead: January 31, 2022
News & Observer reporter Will Doran takes a look at what's on deck in North Carolina politics for the week of January 31, 2022.
14 min
144
The week ahead: January 24, 2022
News & Observer reporter Danielle Battaglia looks ahead at the week in politics.
7 min
145
The week ahead: January 17, 2022
NC Insider editor Brian Murphy and News & Observer reporter Will Doran explore what next in the North Carolina redistricting saga, including the Supreme Court's hearing.
25 min
146
The week ahead: January 10, 2022
Here's what's coming in North Carolina politics this week.
10 min
147
The week ahead: January 3, 2022
Here's what's coming in North Carolina politics this week.
22 min
148
The week ahead: December 13, 2021
News & Observer reporter Will Doran and Insider editor Brian Murphy evaluate the state of affairs in North Carolina redistricting litigation.
24 min
149
The week ahead: December 6, 2021
News & Observer reporter Will Doran looks aheads to the week in North Carolina politics.
18 min
150
The week ahead: November 29, 2021
Dawn Vaughan talks with D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about Build Back Better and other upcoming Congressional news, as well as more campaign moves at the state level.
12 min