Under the Dome

On this episode for the week of June 12, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observer's state Capitol bureau chief interviewed Sen. Todd Johnson, a Union County Republican. They discuss budget priorities, including raises, and the timeline for passing the state budget. Johnson is on the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee and chairs one of the subcommittees.

Listen to what Johnson’s favorite item in the Legislative Cafeteria is, and stick to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Sen. Todd Johnson (R)

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Laura Brache, Kevin Keister

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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On this episode for the week of June 5, 2023, host Dawn Vaughan talks with Washington, D.C., correspondent Danielle Battaglia about how North Carolina’s congressional delegation factored into the federal government’s debt ceiling dealings and deadline.

Plus, what to expect at the General Assembly this week, including final votes on legalizing online sports betting.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Danielle Battaglia

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Kevin Keister and Kaitlin McKeown

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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On this episode for the week of May 29, 2023, state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina.

SEANC and Republican state agency leaders are the latest to sound the alarm about the impact of North Carolina state employees’ vacancy rate, which is is nearing 25%.

Stay tuned to the end for their picks for Headliner of the Week, both about remembering those who have gone before us.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Ardis Watkins

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

Video: Kevin Keister and Kaitlin McKeown

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 22, 2023, host and state 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. Listen to audio from the final, dramatic moment that a supermajority of Republicans overturned Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the abortion restrictions bill. Vaughan, Guinassi and Bajpai were all in the chamber when it happened. And that wasn’t the last moment of tension on the House floor a few days ago. Plus listen to what’s coming up this week in legislation.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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On the May 15, 2023 episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan interviews state Sen. Mary Wills Bode about the abortion bill veto and debate.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guest: Sen. Mary Wills Bode

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Produced and edited by: Laura Brache

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 8, 2023, 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.

Vaughan, Perez Uribe and Bajpai talked about the House and Senate debate over Senate Bill 20, the abortion restrictions bill. From parliamentary procedure to the timing of debate, hear what it was like to be in the room.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producers and editor: Laura Brache and Scott Sharpe

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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On the latest episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer’s politics podcast, for the week of May 1, 2023, 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.

Monday is busier than usual in the legislature, and a big reason is a deadline known as crossover on May 4, when most bills need to pass at least one chamber in order to move ahead in the current session.

Dean talks about the latest on bills dealing with “compelled speech” and university faculty tenure, and Perez Uribe and Vaughan give you a quick rundown of the three big N.C. Supreme Court decisions on Friday.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Korie Dean

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producers and editor: Laura Brache and Scott Sharpe

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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On this new episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, 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. Plus Hardister's cafeteria go-to and their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Dawn Vaughan

Guests: North Carolina Rep. Jon Hardister

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producer and editor: Laura Brache

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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On this Under the Dome episode for the week of April 17, 2023, 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. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week.

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On this episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, NC Insider editor Lars Dolder fills in as host 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. Plus an update on the state budget and their picks for Headliner of the Week.

Host: Lars Dolder

Guests: NC politics freelance reporter Kyle Ingram, The Charlotte Observer local news editor Josh Bergeron and congressional correspondent Danielle Battaglia

Executive Producer: Jordan Schrader

Producer and editor: Laura Brache

For more North Carolina government and politics news, subscribe to the Under the Dome politics newsletter from The News & Observer at newsobserver.com/newsletters and NC Insider at ncinsider.com. Qualified business users are eligible for a short free trial of the daily NC Insider newsletter, as well as a demo account for our Insider Legislative Tracking service. Submit this form: t.co/2ivpV5NSuY

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