On this June 30, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by democracy reporter Kyle Ingram and higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell. As all of #ncpol waits for the state budget bill to move toward votes this week, there are other factors at play. Recent veto overrides ban DEI programs in education, and passed because two House lawmakers who lost their primaries were absent. Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests:  Kyle Ingram & Jane Winik Sartwell

Producer: Kevin Keister

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On this June 23, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by legislative and lobbying reporter Esther Frances and democracy reporter Kyle Ingram. Listen to what pending legislation about bans on coastal sea walls means for North Carolina and the environment. Plus budget negotiations and an election bill. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week, which includes a sports/politics crossover.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Esther Frances & Kyle Ingram

Producer: Kevin Keister

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On this June 16, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell and politics intern Ronni Butts. Hear the latest news on UNC System education legislation in the General Assembly, plus development projects like Carolina North and what's being demolished at NC State. Plus the response to a bleeped out video by Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Jane Winik Sartwell and Ronni Butts

Producer: Kevin Keister

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On this June 9, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by legislative and lobbying reporter Esther Frances and democracy reporter Kyle Ingram, looking at State Board of Elections upcoming hearing and the dustup at the Jackson County Board of Elections. Plus what to expect at the General Assembly this week, from Jaleeyah's Law to budget talks. Stay tuned to the end for a Canes update and picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Esther Frances & Kyle Ingram

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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On this June 2, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by Charlotte Observer politics and government reporter Mary Ramsey for a closer look at the upcoming House Oversight hearing about legislation in the wake of a 6 year-old girl's death. And the NC General Assembly's two unaffiliated lawmakers both represent Charlotte and Mecklenburg County districts. Plus the latest on the race to replace Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.

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On this May 26, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by congressional impact reporter Danielle Battaglia and democracy reporter Kyle Ingram to talk about ballot amendments, taxes, rising costs and how the U.S.-Iran war may affect gas prices. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: ⁠Dawn Vaughan⁠

Guests: Danielle Battaglia & Kyle Ingram

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up ⁠here⁠.

Please consider supporting local journalism with a ⁠subscription to The N&O⁠. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!

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On this May 19, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell and UNC athletics reporter Shelby Swanson. It's a politics and sports crossover episode. We focus first on pending state legislation about NIL, plus talk about the UNC System bill and other higher ed and UNC news. Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Jane Winik Sartwell & Shelby Swanson

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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On this May 12, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by legislative reporters Esther Frances and Kyle Ingram. The NC General Assembly is three weeks into the short session: What have lawmakers done so far, what's cooking and what's next? Plus our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Esther Frances & Kyle Ingram

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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On this May 4, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by Rep. Erin Paré, a Holly Springs Republican, as they discuss the House GOP majority, property taxes, the budget and a new bill Paré is sponsoring.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Rep. Erin Paré

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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On this April 28, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with her fellow legislative reporters Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Esther Frances about the major news out of the start of the North Carolina General Assembly session, including two House Democrats changing parties to unaffiliated and what's in the Medicaid bill that lawmakers will send to the governor's desk after votes this week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Esther Frances

Producer: Kevin Keister

Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It’s sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here.

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