Episodes

  • Counting again: Latest on Berger Page recounts

    Counting again: Latest on Berger Page recounts
    Mar 24 2026
    On this March 24, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics reporters Esther Frances and Kyle Ingram for the latest news on the still-undecided primary election between Republican Senate leader Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. The race is in a second recount. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests: Kyle Ingram & 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. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • VP JD Vance in NC and what it means for NC-01

    VP JD Vance in NC and what it means for NC-01
    Mar 17 2026
    On this March 17, 2026, episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Congressional reporter Danielle Battaglia about Vice President JD Vance's recent trip to Rocky Mount, what it means for the NC-01 Congressional race and why we'll get more campaign stops. Plus their picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Still the primary to watch: Sen. Berger vs. Sheriff Page

    Still the primary to watch: Sen. Berger vs. Sheriff Page
    Mar 10 2026
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • NC primary prep: Berger/Page, Foushee/Allam and U.S. Senate primaries

    NC primary prep: Berger/Page, Foushee/Allam and U.S. Senate primaries
    Mar 3 2026
    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 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • NC GOP State Auditor Dave Boliek on futures of DMV, Dean Dome

    NC GOP State Auditor Dave Boliek on futures of DMV, Dean Dome
    Feb 24 2026
    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. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Mecklenburg County sheriff faces lawmakers in Raleigh

    Mecklenburg County sheriff faces lawmakers in Raleigh
    Feb 17 2026
    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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • NC primaries to watch: GOP U.S. Senate and Durham U.S. House races

    NC primaries to watch: GOP U.S. Senate and Durham U.S. House races
    Feb 10 2026
    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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • UNC budget cuts and DC budget, ICE battles

    UNC budget cuts and DC budget, ICE battles
    Feb 3 2026
    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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins