Episodios

  • A Conversation with Gabe Esparza, NC Department of Administration Secretary

    A Conversation with Gabe Esparza, NC Department of Administration Secretary
    Oct 14 2025
    As Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month comes to a close, host Dawn Vaughn sat down with North Carolina Department of Administration secretary Gabe Esparza, the first Latino member of Gov. Josh Stein’s cabinet. The two discuss Esparza’s journey from the private sector to public service and his background as a third-generation Mexican-American. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Gabe Esparza 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 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 m
  • Why the budget stalemate also creates uncertainty in higher ed funding

    Why the budget stalemate also creates uncertainty in higher ed funding
    Oct 7 2025
    This week, host Dawn Vaughan talks to higher ed reporter Korie Dean about the lack of a state budget impacting performance funding for universities, a new funding method recently approved by UNC Board of Governors. Vaughan and Dean also talk about how a lack of a budget affects current university employees and retirees. Stick to the end for Headliner of the Week, and a professional update from Dean. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Korie Dean 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 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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    20 m
  • Why lawmakers didn’t fund Medicaid ahead of deadline, or pass a budget

    Why lawmakers didn’t fund Medicaid ahead of deadline, or pass a budget
    Sep 30 2025
    This week, Dawn Vaughan, Avi Bajpai, and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi discuss the ongoing disagreement between House and Senate lawmakers over Medicaid funding. They also cover the state budget impasse, which some link to a disconnect between Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall, who has voiced his opposition to funding a new children's hospital. What are the potential consequences of cuts to Medicaid providers? And what’s the latest on the comprehensive state budget? Listen now. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai, 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 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 m
  • How Iryna’s Law could impact NC’s judicial system

    How Iryna’s Law could impact NC’s judicial system
    Sep 23 2025
    Host Dawn Vaughan and politics reporter Avi Bajpai discuss the omnibus crime bill that Republicans filed late Sunday, also known as Iryna’s Law, in response to the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte last month. They also talk about other legislative happenings, including mini budget bills awaiting House action, including law enforcement raises and bonuses for the National Guard. Plus, a controversial bill to defund Planned Parenthood. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Avi Bajpai 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 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 m
  • The political ramifications of the Charlotte light rail stabbing

    The political ramifications of the Charlotte light rail stabbing
    Sep 16 2025
    This week, host Dawn Vaughan is joined by reporters Mary Ramsey and Julia Coin from our sister paper The Charlotte Observer. Ramsey covers Charlotte area politics, and Coin covers courts and public safety. Last month’s fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte light rail by DeCarlos Brown Jr. has drawn national attention. Coin and Ramsey have been part of the team at the Observer covering the situation, including the Charlotte Area Transit System’s release of video footage, the police response, and the political ramifications at the local, state and federal level. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Julia Coin, Mary Ramsey 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 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 m
  • Counting down the days to a potential government shutdown

    Counting down the days to a potential government shutdown
    Sep 9 2025
    This week, host Dawn Vaughan talks to McClatchy D.C. correspondent Danielle Battaglia about what she’s keeping tabs on on Capitol Hill, namely the impending Sept. 30 deadline for Congress to pass 12 appropriations bills in order to prevent a government shutdown. They break down the potential impacts of the federal budget on North Carolina. You’ll also hear about the latest developments in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District race. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Danielle Battaglia 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 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 m
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg political figures in the spotlight

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg political figures in the spotlight
    Sep 2 2025
    This week, Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan and Mary Ramsey discuss prominent figures in Charlotte-Mecklenburg politics, particularly Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham and Democratic Rep. Carla Cunningham: From Cunningham's controversial speech on immigration, which could lead to a primary challenge, to Cotham's undisclosed surgery and changed political standing and key issues in Charlotte's local elections. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Mary Ramsey 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 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 m
  • NC universities ramp up congressional lobbying spending

    NC universities ramp up congressional lobbying spending
    Aug 26 2025
    Host Dawn Vaughan talks to higher ed reporter Korie Dean about why North Carolina universities like UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and Davidson College have significantly increased their spending on lobbying in the first six months of Donald Trump’s second term amid federal funding cuts. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Korie Dean Producer: Kevin Keister 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 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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    20 m