Dawn B. Vaughan
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dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Dawn B. Vaughan
@dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
3.1K followers 390 following 320 posts
State Capitol Bureau Chief and Under the Dome politics podcast host at The News & Observer in Raleigh, NC. B. is for Baumgartner. Go Hokies.
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dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Dawn B. Vaughan @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social · Nov 14
Introduction time:

Hi, I'm the Capitol Bureau Chief at The News & Observer here in Raleigh, North Carolina. My main job is covering the governor and General Assembly, with a focus on leadership and the state budget. I also host our weekly Under the Dome #ncpol podcast.
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Gov. Stein declares new state of emergency as NCDOT preps for snow Friday night

NCDOT employees have been working a lot of long hours. I asked about their overtime, and also where exactly that rock salt comes from.

News you can use:

www.newsobserver.com/news/weather...
Gov. Stein declares new state of emergency as NCDOT preps for snow Friday night
NC Gov. Josh Stein talked with N.C. Department of Transportation employees as they prep snow plows and brine trucks ahead of new storm.
www.newsobserver.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:25 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New story today I've been working on for awhile, about the budget stalemate defining Republican House Speaker Destin Hall's first year. He's not the only one in the House dug into their trench.

#ncpol #ncga

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
With raises on the line, why NC House Speaker Destin Hall isn’t budging
Republican Speaker Destin Hall’s first year was defined by the state budget standoff with the Senate and what he sees as critical funding needs.
www.newsobserver.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Hundreds of car crashes, thousands without power from winter storm in NC, Stein says

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/weather...
Hundreds of car crashes, thousands without power from winter storm in NC, Stein says
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and state officials gave a winter storm update on Sunday, urging people to stay home.
www.newsobserver.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:37 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
We'll continue to update this story all day with the latest forecast and news about the winter storm impacts on the Triangle and the rest of North Carolina.

www.newsobserver.com/news/weather...
Winter storm brings snow, ice on Sunday morning: Latest Triangle forecast, closings
Storm prompts warnings of treacherous driving and power outages. Emergency declarations issued. Bookmark this page. It will be updated throughout the storm.
www.newsobserver.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
thadogburn.bsky.social
North Carolina's coming winter storm “has the potential to be a massive disruption to people’s lives," Gov. Josh Stein says. The latest from @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social.
Winter storm to impact ‘majority of the state,’ NC Gov. Josh Stein says
North Carolina DOT, National Guard, Highway Patrol ready for major winter storm this weekend. What they’re doing now.
www.newsobserver.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
North Carolina DOT, National Guard, Highway Patrol ready for major winter storm this weekend. What they’re doing now.
Winter storm to impact ‘majority of the state,’ NC Gov. Josh Stein says
North Carolina DOT, National Guard, Highway Patrol ready for major winter storm this weekend. What they’re doing now.
bit.ly
January 22, 2026 at 6:10 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
On our new episode of Under the Dome, I talk with my @charlotteobserver.com #ncpol colleague Mary Ramsey about the upcoming House Oversight hearing with Charlotte-Meck leaders and contested primaries in that area. #ncga
open.spotify.com/episode/1o8R...
Charlotte goes to Raleigh for Oversight hearing on public safety
open.spotify.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:06 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
I'm on PBS NC "State Lines" this weekend:

#ncpol
www.pbs.org/video/januar...
State Lines | January 16, 2026 | Season 2026
Possible federal penalty for SNAP benefits in NC; Medicaid compliance laws; early voting sites.
www.pbs.org
January 17, 2026 at 4:48 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
One reason I love my line of work is that I'm always learning something and get to tell people about it. Like today, I learned a lot about drone law.

New:

New federal law will allow more police to take down drones. Is an NC law next?

#ncga #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
New federal law will allow more police to take down drones. Is an NC law next?
The new federal law around law enforcement taking out drones might result in a new state law to give local, state police clear rules.
www.newsobserver.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
thadogburn.bsky.social
A prominent member of UNC's trustees has stepped down. He was the board's leader during a turbulent time. Breaking news from @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social, @shelbyswanson.bsky.social and @lucianaperezu.bsky.social.
UNC-Chapel Hill trustee John Preyer steps down from board
“I’ve never felt better about the direction of the University and its leadership,” Preyer wrote in a letter obtained by The N&O.
www.newsobserver.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:40 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
On our new @newsobserver.com Under the Dome podcast
episode, I'm joined by @kyleingram.bsky.social as we talk about lapsed state employee salaries and what to expect at the #ncga this week. #ncpol

open.spotify.com/episode/2I1y...
Vacant jobs and costs in NC state government
open.spotify.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
keunghui.bsky.social
UNC gets court win, but it’s sending coronavirus research records to lawmakers. NC Court of Appeals ruled UNC need not turn over additional Ralph Baric records to U.S. Right to Know. NC House is doing its own investigation. (Via @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
UNC gets court win, but it’s sending coronavirus research records to lawmakers
Groups have also requested records about the work of coronavirus researcher Ralph Baric. A court ruled UNC doesn’t have to turn them all over.
www.newsobserver.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:22 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New:

UNC gets court win, but it’s sending coronavirus research records to the General Assembly's Gov Ops

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

#ncga #ncpol
UNC gets court win, but it’s sending coronavirus research records to lawmakers
Groups have also requested records about the work of coronavirus researcher Ralph Baric. A court ruled UNC doesn’t have to turn them all over.
www.newsobserver.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:52 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Democrat’s speech on immigrants led NC governor to intervene in primary, he says
#ncpol
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
Democrat’s speech on immigrants led NC governor to intervene in primary, he says
Governors don’t usually weigh in on primaries, but Gov. Josh Stein said he did for this Democrat because of what she said during a floor debate.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:51 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
After Raleigh teacher killed, Gov. Stein calls for NC to do better on mental health

#ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
After Raleigh teacher killed, Gov. Stein calls for NC to do better on mental health
After Raleigh teacher Zoe Welsh was killed during a break-in, Gov. Josh Stein called for the state to do a better job with mental health evaluations.
www.newsobserver.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:50 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New this morning:

Gov. Josh Stein’s ‘mediation’ pitch to solve NC’s 2026 budget, taxes battle
#ncga #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Gov. Josh Stein’s ‘mediation’ pitch to solve NC’s 2026 budget, taxes battle
Democratic NC Gov. Josh Stein talks with The News & Observer about the budget fight, taxes, Medicaid funding and balance of power.
www.newsobserver.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:32 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
In today's Under the Dome:

The last state without a budget. NC Gov. Stein ‘here at the table’ still waiting on the General Assembly

#ncga #ncpol
Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
The last state without a budget. NC Gov. Stein ‘here at the table’ still waiting
Democratic Gov. Josh Stein says he’s ready to negotiate with Republican lawmakers when a budget reaches his desk. If that ever happens.
www.newsobserver.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:20 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New income tax rate in NC for 2026. What you’ll pay and how much it’s dropped

#ncpol #ncga

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
New income tax rate in NC for 2026. What you’ll pay and how much it’s dropped
The individual income tax rate drops again in 2026. See what it’s been and what it means for your tax filing future.
www.newsobserver.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
“It’s rare this much construction happens in such a condensed space. But coming out of it, it’s just going to be exceptional.”
City-backed projects fueling growth on Downtown Raleigh’s southern edge
“It’s rare this much construction happens in such a condensed space. But coming out of it, it’s just going to be exceptional.”
bit.ly
December 31, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
N.C. House members want to reform property tax law. What that means for your tax bill — and what the taxes pay for.
NC lawmakers are looking at property tax law. What that means for you
N.C. House members want to reform property tax law. What that means for your tax bill — and what the taxes pay for.
bit.ly
December 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
charlotteobserver.com
N.C. House members want to reform property tax law. What that means for your tax bill — and what the taxes pay for.
NC lawmakers are looking at property tax law. What that means for you
N.C. House members want to reform property tax law. What that means for your tax bill — and what the taxes pay for.
bit.ly
December 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New taxes explainer from me published today:

NC lawmakers are looking at property tax law. What that means for you

#ncga #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC lawmakers are looking at property tax law. What that means for you
N.C. House members want to reform property tax law. What that means for your tax bill — and what the taxes pay for.
www.newsobserver.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
N.C. Gov. Josh Stein spoke to The N&O about lighting the menorah and how “we are all children of God” amid safety concerns.
NC’s first Jewish governor reflects on Hanukkah at mansion, in wake of tragedy
N.C. Gov. Josh Stein spoke to The N&O about lighting the menorah and how “we are all children of God” amid safety concerns.
bit.ly
December 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt was elected to an unprecedented four terms as governor.
Former NC Gov. Jim Hunt, a longtime, dominant figure in state politics, has died
Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt was elected to an unprecedented four terms as governor.
bit.ly
December 19, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
Gov. Josh Stein and former Gov. Roy Cooper praised the legacy and service of the late Gov. Jim Hunt.
Stein, Cooper praise late Gov. Jim Hunt as ‘visionary,’ ‘greatest’ in NC history
Gov. Josh Stein and former Gov. Roy Cooper praised the legacy and service of the late Gov. Jim Hunt.
bit.ly
December 19, 2025 at 5:20 AM