Dawn B. Vaughan
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dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Dawn B. Vaughan
@dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
3.1K followers 420 following 300 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
#ncga #ncpol reporter job on our team just posted, come work with us:

mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net/MCC1008MCLTC...
mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Durham’s Rodney Rogers, former Wake Forest and NBA star, dies at age 54

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/sports/colle...
Durham’s Rodney Rogers, former Wake Forest and NBA star, dies at age 54
The 1993 ACC player of the year, Rodney Rogers rejuvenated Wake Forest basketball under coach Dave Odom before his 12-year NBA career.
www.newsobserver.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
I'm really sorry to hear about the passing of Rodney Rogers, the basketball player who epitomizes what it means to give back to your community. Here’s a story from 2017 when Durham honored him:

www.heraldsun.com/news/local/counties/durham-county/article179206786.html
November 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New story (and more to come) from a sitdown interview I had with NC House Speaker Destin Hall.

What he had to say about the U.S. Border Patrol in NC, what led to it and why calls to record their actions creates a “dangerous environment.”

#ncpol #ncga

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
Why House Speaker Destin Hall wants the Border Patrol to come back to NC
In an exclusive interview with The N&O, Republican NC House Speaker Destin Hall tied the Border Patrol presence to recent lack of ICE cooperation by sheriffs.
www.newsobserver.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:48 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Covered the protest downtown tonight:

Hundreds protest Border Patrol downtown, chanting ‘Out of Raleigh now’

www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
Hundreds protest Border Patrol downtown, chanting ‘Out of Raleigh now’
Moore Square filled with peaceful protesters Tuesday after federal agents detained at least a dozen people around the Triangle
www.newsobserver.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:38 AM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
Battle of the branches:

Republicans reject NC Gov. Josh Stein’s call for a Medicaid extra session, calling it an attempt to ‘usurp’ power of the General Assembly

#ncga #ncpol

Read more at:
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
GOP rejects Stein’s call for Medicaid session, calling it attempt to ‘usurp’ power
The Monday legislative session will be only procedural, as Republicans are not coming back to pass Medicaid legislation Stein calls for.
www.newsobserver.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
dawnbvaughan.bsky.social
New:

NC budget stalemate means no raises for legislature’s employees. What they earn

State employee salaries are funded by taxpayers, I got the salary data through a public records request.

#ncga #ncpol

Read more at:
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
NC budget stalemate means no raises for legislature’s employees. What they earn
The News & Observer obtained the salaries through a public records request for about 600 state employees at the North Carolina General Assembly.
www.newsobserver.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:39 PM
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