Dr. Chris Cooper is a regular contributor to #ncpol.  His commentary and political insights can be found on X (Twitter) and in NC and national media outlets.  

The Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Western Carolina University visited Raleigh to talk about his easy-to-understand public engagement, and his teaching and scholarly work.  Dr. Cooper also gives insightful political analysis, historical perspective, and shares his magic wand wish for NC politics.  

Skye and Brian also cover the announced Medicaid expansion rollout, redistricting, a Democrat spat, a pair of polls, an unsubstantiated rumor, #TOTW, and a candy debate. 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association. 

Rep. Allen Chesser was in the room on Tuesday afternoon when the news came down that casino legislation in the state budget was dead, including the one planned for his Nash County district.   

The freshman Republican takes us behind the scenes of this epic political drama, his work over the last nine months to bring casinos to his district, and why he thinks the issue is far from dead.  

Skye and Brian also talk about two election bills pending, the 'Reg-Reform' bill, U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth dies, #TOTW, sticking it to lobbyists, and an awkward situation with Sen. Paul Lowe.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association. 

It was an epic week at the General Assembly as casino politics took center stage and threw a state budget vote off track this week.  In this special edition of the podcast, Skye and Brian give a rundown of what happened (and what's likely to happen)from their vantage point just outside the Senate GOP Caucus room.  

They also discuss Mark Harris' re-entry into NC politics, Josh Stein gets a Democratic challenger in Mike Morgan, a new GOP gubernatorial poll, and the three GOP contenders for governor debate.  Plus, a consensus #TOTW at a time when few can agree on much.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association. 

Danielle Battaglia is the NC Congressional Correspondent for the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer and covers North Carolina's 16 members of Congress and reports on NC news from the White House.    

Danielle's reporting career started in Rockingham County in 2011, the year Sen. Phil Berger ascended to the President Pro Tem position.  She talks about her journalism career, falling in love with political reporting, and how she transitioned to covering state politics full-time.  She also opens up about her challenges with POTS and managing the disease with such a physically demanding job.   

Skye and Brian also talk about about the odds on casinos, its effect on the budget, an alcohol bill on the move, a delayed election bill, #TOTW, and Skye's birthday.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association. 

Rep. Ken Fontenot is known for his fiery floor speeches, dramatic committee presentations, and his constant reminder to his legislative colleagues that he was elected to bring resources and change to his majority Black district in Wilson.  

The first term Black Republican talks about his dynamic legislative and political style, his life and careers, and his decision to run for office in an area of the state with strong Democratic Party ties.  

Skye and Brian also discuss the UNC tragedy, Rep. Marvin Lucas recovering, a NC Supreme Court justice files a lawsuit, Hurricane Idalia, two more congressional candidates emerge, DGA ad, Governor Cooper endorses, #TOTW, and more. 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association. 

Rep. Cecil Brockman is one of a handful of Democrats who is considered a swing vote in the General Assembly.  The 5-term legislator talks about how he balances getting needed resources for his High Point district in the budget while holding to his values as a self-described progressive.  

Rep. Brockman also talks about his transition from serving as a legislative assistant to serving as a Representative, his evolving views on school choice, and his enduring friendship with Rep. Tricia Cotham.  

Skye and Brian also unpack the week of news including Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of the election bill, a Democratic legislator complains to Wake DA about Speaker Moore, GOP Lt. Governor’s race gets another candidate, Freedom Park opens, NC Supreme Court Justice to step down, new polling from John Locke Foundation, an Unsubstantiated Rumor circulating, #TOTW, and the politics of college football.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Sen. Brad Overcash started his political journey as Congressional page for the late Rep. Howard Coble before interning in the NC Senate.  He would later go on to serve as an officer in the NC Republican Party.  

In 2022, Senate Majority Leader Kathy Harrington announced her retirement and the the Gaston County attorney stepped in to succeed her.  Sen. Overcash talks about his first term in the Senate as well as the admiration from his colleagues because of his perfectly coiffed hair, height, and speaking style.  

Skye and Brian also cover a news filled week at the General Assembly, including six veto overrides, a controversial elections bill, a new House Republican Whip elected, a new political party approved for 2024, Dan Bishop's AG fundraising, #TOTW, Tomato Sandwich Day, and Brian makes a friend.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Ya Liu immigrated to the United States from China two decades ago to pursue higher education and better opportunities.  She had little money, spoke very little English, but went on to earn two doctoral degrees, started a thriving law practice, and is raising three children with her husband in Cary, which she now represents in the House.  

The western Wake County Democrat talks about her decision to run for office, her work in the Asian American community, and how she works across the aisle to get policy enacted.  

Skye and Brian also unpack the week in #ncpol, including budget and casino news, more 2024 announcements and rumors, #TOTW, and more.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

If you work on health care policy at the General Assembly, whether as a legislator or lobbyist, there's a good chance you've spoken to health care reporter Rose Hoban, the founder of NC Health News.  

However, you probably didn't know she started her career in architecture, and lived and worked in Micronesia, where she was inspired to pursue a career in health care.  Rose talks about her adventurous "origin story", including her decision to become a journalist and how it led her to North Carolina in 2005.  

Plus, Skye and Brian cover the budget progress made by the House and Senate leadership, casinos update, campaign finance reports released, a big endorsement, Dan Bishop is in for AG, #NCGA schedule next week, #TOTW, and more.  

 The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Jeff Zenger is by all accounts a success:  A beautiful family, a thriving business, and a productive political career.  However, life wasn't always so charmed for the two-term legislator.  

The Forsyth County Republican talks about a troubled childhood in the outskirts of Baltimore, a toxic family dynamic, and how he continues to take his childhood experience to the General Assembly.  

Skye and Brian also talk about the politics of casinos, another veto, Speaker's race news, Medicaid movement, GOP Lt. Governor's race, #TOTW, and more.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.