Under the Dome

By The News & ObserverNews Government

Under the Dome episodes

March 10 Still the primary to watch: Sen. Berger vs. Sheriff Page
On this March 10, 2026 episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by reporters Nathan Collins and Kyle Ingram to talk about the primary that isn't decided yet: Senate leader Phil Berger vs. Sheriff Sam Page. From what it was like being in the room with the candidates on election night to the latest in ballot counting and what's next.

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25 min
March 03 NC primary prep: Berger/Page, Foushee/Allam and U.S. Senate primaries
Gear up for today's North Carolina primary on this new episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast for March 3, 2026. Host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with reporters Danielle Battaglia and Kyle Ingram about three major primary races: Republican Senate leader Phil Berger vs. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page; both the GOP and Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate, and in the Durham area, the Democratic Congressional primary between U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee and Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Danielle Battaglia & Kyle Ingram
Producer: Kevin Keister
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24 min
February 24 NC GOP State Auditor Dave Boliek on futures of DMV, Dean Dome
On this new Feb. 24, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome podcast about North Carolina politics, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek about the growing auditor's office, DMV as its own agency, ROI on Smith Center location and what he's targeted next in audits, including the lottery and local bonds.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: State Auditor Dave Boliek
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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36 min
February 17 Mecklenburg County sheriff faces lawmakers in Raleigh
On this episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast for Feb. 17, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Charlotte Observer politics reporter Mary Ramsey about how a NC House Oversight and Reform Committee about public safety turned into a grilling of Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, and what the fallout may be. Plus what to watch as primary early voting is underway, and Vaughan and Ramsey's picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Mary Ramsey
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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23 min
February 10 NC primaries to watch: GOP U.S. Senate and Durham U.S. House races
On this Feb. 10, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's politics podcast, Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporters Danielle Battaglia and Kyle Ingram about the Republican primary for U.S. Senate and the Democratic primary for U.S. House District 4 in Durham and Orange counties.
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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23 min
February 03 UNC budget cuts and DC budget, ICE battles
On this latest episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, for Feb. 3, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with higher education reporter Jane Sartwell and Congressional reporter Danielle Battaglia. The UNC System and its schools are cutting job positions and programs to save money. In Washington, Congress is battling over the Trump administration's handling of ICE in Minnesota, which is factoring into the federal shutdown debates.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Jane Sartwell & Danielle Battaglia
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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21 min
January 27 Changes in early voting days in NC, UNC cuts
On this latest episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, for Jan. 27, 2026: Host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with democracy reporter Kyle Ingram and new higher education reporter Jane Sartwell about changes in early voting days at some voting sites, as well as a dispute over a candidate's party status. Plus UNC Trustees consider program cuts, and what to expect at the Board of Governors and House Oversight meetings this week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Kyle Ingram & Jane Sartwell
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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20 min
January 20 Charlotte goes to Raleigh for Oversight hearing on public safety
On our latest episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, for Jan. 20, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Charlotte Observer local government reporter Mary Ramsey about the mayor and Mecklenburg County sheriff being called to Raleigh for a legislative oversight hearing on public safety. Plus more about Sheriff Garry McFadden and scrunity of his time in office, including from House Democratic Rep. Carla Cunningham.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Mary Ramsey
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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23 min
January 13 Vacant jobs and costs in NC state government
On this latest episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with politics reporter Kyle Ingram about a state auditor report of vacant state government jobs and the costs of lapsed salaries. Plus what to expect this week at the General Assembly and our picks for Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: 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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23 min
January 06 An interview with NC Gov. Josh Stein on 2026 legislative battles on taxes, budget, Medicaid funding
On this episode of Under the Dome for Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan sits down with North Carolina's Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to talk about the lack of a state budget, the fight over taxes, when Medicaid might get funding and working with GOP leaders.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Gov. Josh Stein
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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25 min

About Under the Dome

From the publisher's feed

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