WUNC Politics

WUNC Politics

Author: WUNC News Language: English Episodes: 100
Tune in for the conversations happening behind the headlines across the state. WUNC Politics, from the journalists at WUNC News, moves beyond the official statements and press conferences to bring you the context and candid insights shaping North Carolina. Each episode feels like catching up with a well-informed friend who just left the floor of the General Assembly or a key campaign stop, translating the day’s political maneuvers into something relatable and clear. You’ll hear directly from reporters about the whispers in the legislative hallways, the shifting dynamics on the trail, and the real-world impacts of policy debates. This isn't about partisan scoring; it's about understanding the how and why of Tar Heel politics. The podcast delivers a grounded, weekly perspective that helps make sense of the rapid changes in our state's government and elections. For anyone curious about the forces driving decisions in Raleigh and beyond, this is an essential listen. The analysis is sharp, the reporting is trustworthy, and the discussion always points toward what it all means for the people who live here. Dive into the nuanced and often surprising stories that define political life in North Carolina.
Episodes
'A diplomat': NC's longest-serving legislator on his new role [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:17
Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, is the only lawmaker who’s been in office since the early 1980s, but the former House speaker is no longer serving as Senate minority leader after his fellow Democrats backed Sen. Sydney Batch for…
How a Democrat gets bills passed in a GOP legislature [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:50
Amid all the culture wars and controversies at North Carolina’s legislature, some legislation features Republicans and Democrats quietly working together. There are plenty of examples of bills developed by lawmakers from…
NC legislator makes the case for cryptocurrency in state investments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:25
The N.C. House recently passed a bill to allow the state treasurer to invest state pension funds in cryptocurrency and other digital assets. Rep. Mike Schietzelt, the first-term Republican who made the case for the bill…
Meet the only Democrat (so far) running for U.S. Senate in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
Earlier this month, former Congressman Wiley Nickel became the first Democrat to officially launch a campaign in North Carolina’s 2026 U.S. Senate race. He’s an attorney and former Barack Obama aide who represented Wake…
A closer look at NC's broken-down DMV [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:46
For years, the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles has been plagued by long wait times and poor service. It’s a major problem in one of America’s fastest-growing states. And in the age of DOGE and government effi…
A closer look at NC's projected 'fiscal cliff' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:28
Budget season at the state legislature has officially kicked off with the release of Gov. Josh Stein’s budget recommendations. He’s calling on lawmakers to pause scheduled corporate and personal income tax cuts to avoid…
Should NC's teacher pay start at $50,000? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:40
As North Carolina schools face staffing shortages, both Republicans and Democrats are pushing for bigger raises for starting teacher pay -- but the proposals could face tough odds in a tight budget year. Gov. Josh Stein’…
Should NC take the racist literacy test out of its constitution? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:33
It’s been more than 50 years since North Carolina used a racist, Jim Crow-era “literacy test” that was designed to prevent Black people from registering to vote. But that requirement remains in the state’s constitution,…
NC's high healthcare cost and Senate efforts to tackle it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:36
N.C. Sen. Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston, landed an influential role in his second term this session as co-chair of the Senate’s committees on healthcare. He joined WUNC's Colin Campbell to talk about efforts to address the u…
New Senate minority leader talks Democrats' strategy for 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:54
After a decade of being led by longtime Sen. Dan Blue, Democrats in the state Senate decided to elect a new leader this year. Sen. Sydney Batch became Senate minority leader last month. She’s a family law attorney who re…