Chapelboro.com

In today’s news: it’s FDOC at UNC, and students, professors, and administrators are struggling to navigate the new world of AI. Also: Carrboro’s Grata Diner closes its doors after four years; State Supreme Court justice Anita Earls reveals a recent breast cancer diagnosis; Chatham County Commissioners continue a three-day budget retreat; the Chapel Hill Town Council considers amendments to its Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO); and Orange County Schools celebrate positive data about student growth in the 2024-25 academic year. And in sports: we have the latest on the transfer portal for UNC football, plus comments from Courtney Banghart as Carolina women’s basketball gears up for a road trip to Notre Dame.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s daily news reports, which you can hear live during “This Morning with Aaron Keck” every weekday from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Listen:

The post The Morning News: A.I. On Campus, Grata Diner Closing, Anita Earls appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Nashville recording artist Tabitha Meeks spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey, discussing her song “Girl of the Hour,” which earned the top spot on the Top 97 of 2025. She talked about the song’s origin, the impact it has had on listeners, and how it helped shape her 2025. She also discussed the holiday season and it’s importance on her career, what she’s looking forward to in 2026, and more.

On Air Today features interviews and conversations with the latest newsmakers in our community — including local elected leaders, educators, business owners, and anyone else with their finger on the pulse of the greater Chapel Hill community.

The post On Air Today: Tabitha Meeks on 97.9 The Hill’s Song of the Year appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, January 6, discussing county news and events. She checked in after day one of the commissioners three-day budget retreat, sharing some procedural discussions for this iteration of the board. She also detailed some of the specific budget conversations, previewed the next couple of days discussions, and more.

Each week, News on The Hill engages in conversation with Chatham County leaders for the Chatham County Roundup. You can find previous conversations with Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp, Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard, and other county leaders by clicking here.

The post Chatham County Roundup: Commissioner Karen Howard appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, January 6, discussing town news and events. He talked about the town’s sewer pump station near the Eno River coming fully back online for the first time since Tropical Depression Chantal. He also talked about the process of getting the BRIC funding to have that pump station moved. He looked ahead to the new year for the town, and more.

Conversations With the Mayors is an ongoing series on “News on the Hill” where host Andrew Stuckey visits with the local government leaders who help shape our communities in Chapel Hill and the surrounding area. Each Tuesday he visits with Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell; Wednesdays feature a conversation with Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton; Thursdays feature Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson, and Fridays include a conversation with Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee. You can listen to previous “Conversations With the Mayors” here.

The post Hillsborough: Sewer Pump Station, BRIC Funding, New Year appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Trending today: Victor, Aaron, and Michael discuss the Xbox Bowl, featuring an appearance by Master Chief (but not much else). Also, Victor geeks out over Boeing planes, and Aaron becomes the auditory crossing guard.

Want to know what folks are talking about on social media? Every weekday on 97.9 The Hill’s “This Morning with Aaron Keck,” Victor Lewis scours the Internet for the day’s top trending stories, from weird news to wacky crimes to odd business ventures and everything in between. Click here to listen back to all our past What’s Trending segments – and tune in to “This Morning” on 97.9 The Hill every weekday at 7:45 to hear What’s Trending live on the air.

What’s Trending is made possible by Dynamic Electric. Listen now:

The post What’s Trending: John Halo appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

In today’s news: the nonprofit Extraordinary Ventures announces it’s taking over the CommunityWorx thrift shop in Carrboro. Also: the Carrboro Town Council meets to discuss climate change mitigation, with the town falling short of a major goal; Chatham County Commissioners begin a three-day budget retreat; and local leaders discuss the widespread (negative) impact of federal immigration enforcement actions in the Triangle. And in sports: UNC quarterback Gio Lopez reportedly plans to transfer; Carolina basketball drops in the rankings after upset losses over the weekend; UNC men’s and women’s lacrosse get high preseason rankings; and Tar Heel legends Tyler Hansbrough and Eddie Pope earn induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s daily news reports, which you can hear live during “This Morning with Aaron Keck” every weekday from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Listen:

The post The Morning News: Extraordinary Ventures, Climate Change, Immigration, and Gio Lopez appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

David Glenn of the North Carolina Sports Network spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, January 5. He discussed the most recent games for UNC Men’s basketball as they start ACC play. He also talked about the football transfer portal, with the transfer period shortened compared to last year, how UNC is positioned as the portal period continues, and more.

On Air Today features interviews and conversations with the latest newsmakers in our community — including local elected leaders, educators, business owners, and anyone else with their finger on the pulse of the greater Chapel Hill community.

The post On Air Today: North Carolina Sports Network’s David Glenn on ACC Basketball and Football appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Orange County School’s Superintendent Danielle Jones and Board Chair Will Atherton spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, January 5. They discussed takeaways from the first half of the school year, what they are looking forward to in 2026, and more. They also discussed highlights from the district’s 2025 state accountability results, which includes academic growth being shown at all of the district’s schools and more.

Speaking of Schools is our regular check-in with the public K-12 school districts in our community.  You can find conversations with leaders from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, and Chatham County Schools by clicking here.

The post Speaking of Schools: Orange County School’s Superintendent Danielle Jones and Board Chair Will Atherton appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, January 5. They discussed New Year’s activities and plans for 2026. They discussed the latest on Chapelboro social media, including end of year music countdowns, top stories of 2025, and more.

On Air Today features interviews and conversations with the latest newsmakers in our community — including local elected leaders, educators, business owners, and anyone else with their finger on the pulse of the greater Chapel Hill community.

The post On Air Today: 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Trending today: Michael Koh joins Victor and Aaron to discuss a survey finding 17 percent of parents think their kids might be professional or Olympic athletes someday. (Victor scoffs, but Aaron gets it.) Also, Aaron is afraid of pole vaulting.

Want to know what folks are talking about on social media? Every weekday on 97.9 The Hill’s “This Morning with Aaron Keck,” Victor Lewis scours the Internet for the day’s top trending stories, from weird news to wacky crimes to odd business ventures and everything in between. Click here to listen back to all our past What’s Trending segments – and tune in to “This Morning” on 97.9 The Hill every weekday at 7:45 to hear What’s Trending live on the air.

What’s Trending is made possible by Dynamic Electric. Listen now:

The post What’s Trending: Pole Vaults and Parental Delusions appeared first on Chapelboro.com.