WUNC Politics podcast

WUNC Politics

·

  WUNC  

The WUNC Politics Podcast is a free-flowing discussion of what we're hearing in the back hallways of the General Assembly and on the campaign trail across North Carolina. Sign up for our free, weekly [WUNC Politics Newsletter here] (https://www.wunc.org/wunc-politics-newsletter-sign-up?utm_source=wunc_politics&utm_medium=podcast) .

The WUNC Politics Podcast is a free-flowing discussion of what we're hearing in the back hallways of the General Assembly and on the campaign trail across North Carolina. Sign up for our free, weekly [WUNC Politics Newsletter here] (https://www.wunc.org/wunc-politics-newsletter-sign-up?utm_source=wunc_politics&utm_medium=podcast) .

 

#429

Key races to watch as 2026 election filings get started

The 2026 campaign season has officially kicked off (although many campaigns have been goin... more

05 Dec 2025

28 MINS

28:01

05 Dec 2025


#428

What's the future of NC's news media amid cutbacks?

Local news is a tough business these days, with journalists routinely laid off and small-t... more

21 Nov 2025

41 MINS

41:00

21 Nov 2025


#427

The legacy of former Gov. Jim Hunt

At age 88, former Gov. Jim Hunt continues to be a prominent figure in state politics, but ... more

07 Nov 2025

30 MINS

30:53

07 Nov 2025


#426

A closer look at NC's new Congressional districts

North Carolina no longer has any particularly competitive Congressional districts, thanks ... more

24 Oct 2025

26 MINS

26:43

24 Oct 2025


#425

NC House Freedom Caucus wins on shrimp, guns

The 33-member N.C. House Freedom Caucus notched some major policy victories this year, def... more

10 Oct 2025

30 MINS

30:18

10 Oct 2025


#424

Why Medicaid is facing big funding cuts in NC

North Carolina’s Medicaid system is grappling with funding shortfalls, both from the state... more

22 Sep 2025

22 MINS

22:47

22 Sep 2025


#423

New Progressive Caucus seeks a stronger voice on the left

The state’s most conservative lawmakers have for years formed the House Freedom Caucus, an... more

12 Sep 2025

24 MINS

24:48

12 Sep 2025


#422

Can the NC DMV fix its long lines?

Can North Carolina’s troubled DMV finally turn the corner after years of long lines and fi... more

22 Aug 2025

26 MINS

26:56

22 Aug 2025


#421

What to expect from NC's expensive 2026 US Senate race

North Carolina’s 2026 U.S. Senate race officially kicked off as former Gov. Roy Cooper and... more

01 Aug 2025

37 MINS

37:41

01 Aug 2025


#420

A new NC political party seeks to find the middle

North Carolina’s ballot access laws create an uphill battle for third parties seeking to g... more

25 Jul 2025

28 MINS

28:39

25 Jul 2025


#419

NC's new healthcare laws you probably missed

A wide-ranging healthcare bill that was recently signed into law would make it easier to g... more

11 Jul 2025

27 MINS

27:43

11 Jul 2025


#418

NC House's top Democrat says the legislature is 'getting nothing done'

House Democratic Leader Robert Reives says the legislature has been “getting nothing done”... more

27 Jun 2025

23 MINS

23:57

27 Jun 2025


#417

State auditor talks elections, DMV and more

Since Republican Dave Boliek won last year’s election, the position of state auditor has b... more

13 Jun 2025

28 MINS

28:00

13 Jun 2025


#416

'A diplomat': NC's longest-serving legislator on his new role

Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, is the only lawmaker who’s been in office since the early 1980s, bu... more

06 Jun 2025

29 MINS

29:17

06 Jun 2025


#415

How a Democrat gets bills passed in a GOP legislature

Amid all the culture wars and controversies at North Carolina’s legislature, some legislat... more

23 May 2025

24 MINS

24:50

23 May 2025


#414

NC legislator makes the case for cryptocurrency in state investments

The N.C. House recently passed a bill to allow the state treasurer to invest state pension... more

09 May 2025

28 MINS

28:25

09 May 2025


#413

Meet the only Democrat (so far) running for U.S. Senate in 2026

Earlier this month, former Congressman Wiley Nickel became the first Democrat to officiall... more

25 Apr 2025

25 MINS

25:30

25 Apr 2025


#412

A closer look at NC's broken-down DMV

For years, the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles has been plagued by long wait t... more

11 Apr 2025

20 MINS

20:46

11 Apr 2025


#411

A closer look at NC's projected 'fiscal cliff'

Budget season at the state legislature has officially kicked off with the release of Gov. ... more

27 Mar 2025

25 MINS

25:28

27 Mar 2025


#410

Should NC's teacher pay start at $50,000?

As North Carolina schools face staffing shortages, both Republicans and Democrats are push... more

21 Mar 2025

26 MINS

26:40

21 Mar 2025


#409

Should NC take the racist literacy test out of its constitution?

It’s been more than 50 years since North Carolina used a racist, Jim Crow-era “literacy te... more

14 Mar 2025

25 MINS

25:33

14 Mar 2025


#408

NC's high healthcare cost and Senate efforts to tackle it

N.C. Sen. Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston, landed an influential role in his second term this se... more

07 Mar 2025

26 MINS

26:36

07 Mar 2025


#407

New Senate minority leader talks Democrats' strategy for 2025

After a decade of being led by longtime Sen. Dan Blue, Democrats in the state Senate decid... more

28 Feb 2025

29 MINS

29:54

28 Feb 2025


#406

Stein's top Helene recovery official makes the case for more funding

As state lawmakers debate how much money is needed for the latest Helene recovery package,... more

21 Feb 2025

29 MINS

29:16

21 Feb 2025


#405

Influential GOP consultant looks back at 50 years in NC politics

Raleigh-based Republican consultant Carter Wrenn has had a front-row seat to decades of po... more

14 Feb 2025

29 MINS

29:31

14 Feb 2025


#404

Main Street NC: Midway tries to stay rural while becoming a town

This is the fifth episode in a new season of our Main Street NC series. We're visiting com... more

07 Feb 2025

25 MINS

25:21

07 Feb 2025


#403

Main Street NC: Aurora builds infrastructure to lure jobs

This is the fourth episode in a new season of our Main Street NC series. In the coming mon... more

24 Jan 2025

22 MINS

22:53

24 Jan 2025


#402

Main Street NC: Southeast Raleigh's gentrification challenge

This is the third in a new season of our Main Street NC series. We're visiting communities... more

10 Jan 2025

31 MINS

31:44

10 Jan 2025


#401

Main Street NC: Mitchell County's Helene recovery needs

This is the second in a new season of our Main Street NC series. In the coming months, we’... more

20 Dec 2024

36 MINS

36:44

20 Dec 2024