Under the Dome The News & Observer
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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
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Rep. Maria Cervania on life as a freshman Democratic lawmaker
For the week of March 25, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan here is joined by a state lawmaker as guest: Rep. Maria Cervania, a Cary Democrat.
Cervania is a freshman representative who previously served on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. She’s also the first Filipino person to serve in the General Assembly, elected in 2022 along with a historic wave of other Filipino Americans winning elections across the country. Cervania talked about how local and state government are “diametrically different,” from demographics to how governing happens. As a Democrat, her party is in the superminority.
Listen to the full podcast to hear more about her retelling of a conversation with Rep. Donnie Loftis, as well as how she became a Democrat growing up in a Republican household, and how she approaches her work because of it. Plus, Headliner of the Week.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Rep. Maria Cervania
Executive Producer: Laura Brache
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What primary results mean for the NCGA short session
We are about a month out from the start of the 2024 legislative short session, which is always held during an election year, so that changes the tone of the entire session. First, it’s usually shorter not just by design of the work itself, since there’s a budget adjustment bill to pass, but also because lawmakers want to have time to go out and campaign.
And the results of the primary earlier this month changes that up.
Case in point, House Speaker Tim Moore, who’s a short-timer now and heading to Congress assuming he wins his Republican-favored U.S. House district. During the first half, we talk about the Republicans dynamics that may play out this year, including between Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger, who is not leaving the legislature.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guest: Colin Campbell
Executive Producer: Laura Brache
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 Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. 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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Courts, close races and the general election in NC
For the week of March 11, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan is joined by fellow state politics reporters Avi Bajpai, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Kyle Ingram. The four break down post-primary analysis of the N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals primary elections, as well as General Assembly races. The legislative primaries had some surprises, and some races hinge on the final canvass to determine their outcomes. Plus, hear about the general election for attorney general.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle Ingram, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi
Executive Producer: Laura Brache
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 Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. 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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Recapping the 2024 North Carolina primary election
In this post-primary bonus episode, originally recorded live on X (formerly Twitter), Charlotte Observer and News & Observer politics reporters share their biggest takeaways from Election Night: From some surprises in the Council of State primaries, to what last night’s results tell us about how NC’s congressional delegation might look different in 2025, to possible runoffs.
This recording was edited from its original version for brevity and clarity.
Featuring: Josh Bergeron, Danielle Battaglia, Mary Ramsey, Dawn Vaughan, and Keung Hui.
X Space produced by: Zach Dennis, Andrew Nantais, and Laura Brache
Podcast episode edited by: Laura Brache
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 Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. 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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NC primary election frontrunner fundraising, candidates and campaigns to watch
For the week of March 4, 2024, host Dawn Vaughan is joined by fellow politics reporters Avi Bajpai and Kyle Ingram to discuss the latest fundraising numbers for the gubernatorial primary frontrunners and what it means for the general election. We also talk about the primary for attorney general, looks ahead to the probable candidates for the general election in that race, as well as lieutenant governor. Plus, legislative primary races to watch.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Avi Bajpai, Kyle ingram
Executive Producer: Laura Brache
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 Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. Sign up here.
Learn more about the candidates running in the primary at The News & Observer’s Voter Guide.
Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you!
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GOP candidate Dale Folwell on what conservatism means to him
fFor the week of Feb. 26, 2024, podcast host and state Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan shares outtakes from a recent interview with State Treasurer Dale Folwell, a longshot candidate in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Folwell talks about his views on abortion restriction legislation, his primary opponent Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and what he thinks of former President Donald Trump. I also asked Folwell about how he would work with Republican legislative leaders as governor, and what he plans to do on primary Election Day and whatever happens after it.
Stay tuned to the end for Dawn's pick for Headliner of the Week, which has to do with the governor’s office and who has power when the leader is out of state.
Host: Dawn Vaughan
Guests: Dale Folwell
Executive Producer: Laura Brache
Interview recorded by: Travis Long
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 Tuesday to Friday and Sunday. 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
Customer Reviews
Love this
Great way to catch up on state politics. Thank you!
Nice and short
Like it so far. Short, unbiased weekly update. Thanks for this.