Politics & Government

Under the Dome podcast: A politics and sports crossover episode with Steve Wiseman

Each week, join Dawn Vaughan for The News & Observer and NC Insider’s Under the Dome podcast, an in-depth analysis of topics in state government and politics for North Carolina.
Each week, join Dawn Vaughan for The News & Observer and NC Insider’s Under the Dome podcast, an in-depth analysis of topics in state government and politics for North Carolina.

Start your week in North Carolina politics with our latest Under the Dome podcast, for the week of Sept. 9, 2024. Dawn Vaughan here, your podcast host and The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief. On this episode, I’m joined by News & Observer assistant sports editor Steve Wiseman, who is also a reporter on the Duke University sports beat.

Sports and politics intersect on the regular, from state laws to state championship celebrations.

This story has some fun political sports photos for your enjoyment.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and House Speaker Tim Moore relish in North Carolina’s 81-77 victory over Duke in the NCAA Final Four semi-final on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and House Speaker Tim Moore relish in North Carolina’s 81-77 victory over Duke in the NCAA Final Four semi-final on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

During the first half, we talk about policy. That means the latest on NIL (name, image and likeness) for high school athletes and the impact of the legalization of sports gambling. We also talk about laws about sports passed a few years ago, like selling alcohol at college sporting events.

Former President Barack Obama watches the North Carolina vs Duke game on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.
Former President Barack Obama watches the North Carolina vs Duke game on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Be sure to stick around after the break. In the third quarter, Wiseman and I talk about the big name political and sports crossover events, from former President Barack Obama coming to the Duke game when Zion Williamson busted through his shoe, to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and House Speaker Tim Moore’s joint love of UNC.

N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper laughs with former Duke men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski as he speaks after receiving The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award during a ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award is the state’s highest civlian honor.
N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper laughs with former Duke men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski as he speaks after receiving The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award during a ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award is the state’s highest civlian honor. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Headliner of the Week

Stay tuned through the fourth quarter for our picks for Headliner of the Week. Wiseman talks more about what a big deal NIL is, and I talk about the legislative week ahead, and the apparent mini budget deal.

We didn’t go into overtime, but my guess is by the spring legislative session, there will be more sports and politics crossover topics to discuss.

Listen to our latest episode below and catch up on previous episodes. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, iHeart, Pandora, Amazon Music and Stitcher.

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Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan
The News & Observer
Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan is the Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer, leading coverage of the legislative and executive branches in North Carolina with a focus on the governor, General Assembly leadership and state budget. She has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting.
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