Dawn B. Vaughan
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dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Dawn B. Vaughan
@dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
3.1K followers 420 following 290 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.
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
On Sundays our Under the Dome politics newsletter focuses on Gov. Josh Stein. He just returned from an economic development trip to Japan.
Fresh off Japan trip, Stein will be at Toyota battery plant for production start
On Sundays our Under the Dome politics newsletter focuses on Gov. Josh Stein. He just returned from an economic development trip to Japan.
bit.ly
November 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Stein orders NC flags lowered for VP Dick Cheney. How long they’ll be half-staff

#ncpol
Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Stein orders NC flags lowered for VP Dick Cheney. How long they’ll be half-staff
Flags are already lowered at North Carolina state government buildings.
www.newsobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:03 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
NC Gov. Josh Stein says feds, not the state, are the best fix for SNAP funding

#ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC Gov. Josh Stein says feds, not the state, are the best fix for SNAP funding
In North Carolina, 1.4 million people receive SNAP benefits. What Gov. Stein says about ‘fleeting’ help and federal shutdown cost.
www.newsobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:20 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
NC lawmakers named to investigate Cecil Brockman over charges. What they’ll do

#ncpol #ncga

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC lawmakers named to investigate Cecil Brockman over charges. What they’ll do
The 12-member bipartisan House committee will investigate Rep. Cecil Brockman and determine punishment.
www.newsobserver.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
charlotteobserver.com
Read our Under the Dome newsletter every Sunday that focuses on Gov. Josh Stein, who signed a spending bill as a budget impasse continues.
Gov. Josh Stein signs small spending bill amid NC budget impasse
Read our Under the Dome newsletter every Sunday that focuses on Gov. Josh Stein, who signed a spending bill as a budget impasse continues.
bit.ly
October 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
Why North Carolina government keeps working when the budget is stalled, unlike the federal government.
State law keeps NC from DC-style shutdown, but lack of budget has consequences
Why North Carolina government keeps working when the budget is stalled, unlike the federal government.
bit.ly
October 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Heads up for your Monday drive, after a water main break:

Blue Ridge Road closure near I-440 will affect Raleigh morning commute

www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
Blue Ridge Road closure near I-440 will affect Raleigh morning commute
The 3900 block of Blue Ridge Road closed due to a water main break not expected to reopen until Monday afternoon.
www.newsobserver.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
Read our Under the Dome newsletters on Sundays for more about NC Gov. Josh Stein.
NC. Gov. Josh Stein urges more behavioral health funding when lawmakers return
Read our Under the Dome newsletters on Sundays for more about NC Gov. Josh Stein.
bit.ly
October 12, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
Why North Carolina government keeps working when the budget is stalled, unlike the federal government.
State law keeps NC from DC-style shutdown, but lack of budget has consequences
Why North Carolina government keeps working when the budget is stalled, unlike the federal government.
bit.ly
October 12, 2025 at 10:20 AM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New from me this morning, an explainer on why North Carolina doesn't shut down like the federal government does without a budget deal -- but there are still consequences of lawmakers not getting their job done.

#ncga #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
State law keeps NC from DC-style shutdown, but lack of budget has consequences
Why North Carolina government keeps working when the budget is stalled, unlike the federal government.
www.newsobserver.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
North Carolina unemployment benefits could be paid to federal employees impacted by the shutdown. The state is also hiring.
Federal employees out of work in NC could get unemployment, but there’s a catch
North Carolina unemployment benefits could be paid to federal employees impacted by the shutdown. The state is also hiring.
bit.ly
October 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
A former Duke player, NBA superstar Jayson Tatum is rehabilitating from an injured Achilles’ tendon and helping this year’s Blue Devils.
Injured Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is back at Duke. What is his role?
A former Duke player, NBA superstar Jayson Tatum is rehabilitating from an injured Achilles’ tendon and helping this year’s Blue Devils.
bit.ly
October 7, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
Read our Under the Dome newsletter on Sundays for the latest news about Gov. Josh Stein.
NC Gov. Stein signs Iryna’s Law, mini budget bills as big budget deal awaits
Read our Under the Dome newsletter on Sundays for the latest news about Gov. Josh Stein.
bit.ly
October 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New in depth story from me today.

Hundreds of thousands of people spent their careers in public service in North Carolina, and like current state employees, a late state budget affects them, too.

#ncpol #ncga

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
After careers spent serving NC, retirees face stagnant pensions amid inflation
The delayed state budget also leaves thousands of retired state employees with uncertainty about a COLA this year.
www.newsobserver.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
Gov. Josh Stein said a “maximalist political power worldview” will destroy the United States’ politics.
NC Gov. Stein: Redrawing 2026 maps would ‘destroy the politics of this country’
Gov. Josh Stein said a “maximalist political power worldview” will destroy the United States’ politics.
bit.ly
October 1, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
He made the comments Tuesday just hours before the Oct. 1 deadline.
NC Gov. Josh Stein says Medicaid cuts deadline won’t change, blames legislature
He made the comments Tuesday just hours before the Oct. 1 deadline.
bit.ly
October 1, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
See how the past 25 years of COLA bonuses and raises compare for NC retirees.
Will NC state retirees get a cost of living adjustment this year? Compare history
See how the past 25 years of COLA bonuses and raises compare for NC retirees.
bit.ly
October 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
North Carolinians rated how Gov. Josh Stein is doing in a new poll. Read more in our Sunday Under the Dome newsletter.
How North Carolinians rank Gov. Josh Stein in new High Point University poll
North Carolinians rated how Gov. Josh Stein is doing in a new poll. Read more in our Sunday Under the Dome newsletter.
bit.ly
September 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
koriedean.bsky.social
And yesterday’s news from me, with two sources saying Clemens himself has used auto-delete on Signal: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
Ex-UNC provost suing over trustees’ Signal messages allegedly used the app himself
Screenshots obtained and reviewed by The N&O appear to show Chris Clemens using Signal, but don’t show who turned on the auto-delete feature.
www.newsobserver.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
koriedean.bsky.social
@newsobserver.com’s initial coverage here: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
Former UNC provost sues university, trustees over alleged open meetings violations
The suit accuses the board of “systematically hiding matters of grave public concern behind closed doors.”
www.newsobserver.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
koriedean.bsky.social
Latest update to former UNC Provost Chris Clemens’ lawsuit against the Board of Trustees: board Chair Malcolm Turner is out with a statement calling the complaint a “baseless assault”
September 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New:

Taxes, raises and past promises: What’s holding up NC’s state budget

#ncga #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Taxes, raises and past promises: What’s holding up NC’s state budget
With just one mini-budget bill passed, Republicans in NC House, Senate remain divided over the state budget’s taxes, raises and a new children’s hospital.
www.newsobserver.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Reposted by Dawn B. Vaughan
newsobserver.com
Customers wouldn’t have to pay more than 2% for a credit card processing fee, and stores would have to disclose the charge up front.
Customers’ fees for credit card processing would be capped under NC bill
Customers wouldn’t have to pay more than 2% for a credit card processing fee, and stores would have to disclose the charge up front.
bit.ly
September 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New:

Customers’ fees for credit card processing would be capped under NC bill

The latest version of the bill passed House Finance today.

#ncpol #ncga

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Customers’ fees for credit card processing would be capped under NC bill
Customers wouldn’t have to pay more than 2% for a credit card processing fee, and stores would have to disclose the charge up front.
www.newsobserver.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:33 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
NC Senate approves $35 million for infrastructure around Lenovo Center

#ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
NC Senate approves $35 million for infrastructure around Lenovo Center
With massive redevelopment underway in and around the Lenovo Center, an influx of state funds could arrive for infrastructure improvements.
www.newsobserver.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:00 PM