News On The Hill with Andrew Stuckey (97.9 The Hill)

Theodore Nollert — the director of policy for Carolina Forward and a Chapel Hill Town Council member — joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, August 26. North Carolina passed its first comprehensive state budget bill in three years earlier this summer…and that means the legislature is working on its first budget corrections bills in three years. Nollert culled through the items in the bills for Carolina Forward, sharing some encouraging and some concerning items in the legislation. He also shares thoughts on how the process of the corrections bills are flawed, allowing more money movement and changes to laws to be made with far less oversight, and where he believes the new budget falls short.

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.

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The post Theodore Nollert on North Carolina’s Budget Corrections Bill and Its Process – On Air Today (August 26, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell substitutes and shares the latest local news stories on Tuesday, August 25. The Orange and Durham County sheriff’s offices each share updates about local high schools that went into secure mode for different incidents on Tuesday: one for a weapon on campus, and another for an assault on staff members. The Orange County Board of Commissioners prepare to welcome its newest member. A local pollster shares how a gap in voting enthusiasm points toward Democrats performing well in North Carolina’s fall elections. A senior at Chapel Hill High School is fixing up and filling the greenhouse on campus, with the goal of having it be a community resource. And in sports: UNC men’s soccer drops a game to Memphis, while Carolina’s new starting quarterback shares what set him apart in fall camp.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in the greater Chapel Hill and Carrboro community. Every weekday afternoon, 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports, and everything in-between. Hear compelling stories, breaking news, and more. Find all of Andrew’s Evening News Reports by clicking here.

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The post Public Safety Incidents and Greenhouse Work at Local High Schools – The Evening News (August 25, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell over the phone on Tuesday, August 25. Ahead of its September meeting with a focus on several development-related items, Shipp previews what the Board of Commissioners will be discussing. The first item is a review of the exterior renderings and early design of the new town hall, which will be built along J.A. Farrell Street. The next is an Economic Development Strategy to more broadly help the town plan for (and support) a blend of businesses, which will diversify the tax base and create more dynamic areas within town. Finally, Shipp also delivers an update on the Chatham Parkway and previews a pair of upcoming events that impact the local government.

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: Kyle Shipp on Upcoming Economic Development Strategy, Pittsboro Town Hall Designs (Aug. 25, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell speaks with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, August 25. On the heels of Monday’s Board of Commissioners’ meeting, Bell shares some early details and discussions by commissioners about the town’s draft Affordable Housing Strategy — which will help Hillsborough better map out its goals and ability to add, preserve, and encourage affordable housing. Bell also shares his thoughts from Jamezetta Bedford’s memorial this past weekend.

Mayor Mark Bell of Hillsborough

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.

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The post Hillsborough: An Early Look at the Town’s Affordable Housing Strategy (Aug. 25, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Tar Heel Sports Network play-by-play broadcaster and host Jones Angell speaks with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Monday, August 24. Ahead of UNC football’s first game of the season — the special season kick-off over in Dublin, Ireland — Angell shares his impressions of what will make this year’s team different from the first under head coach Bill Belichick that underwhelmed. He also dives into updates to the “Carolina Football Live” coach’s show, which debuts tonight and features many more voices in addition to more of Belichick.

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.

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The post Jones Angell on ‘Carolina Football Live’ and UNC Football’s Prep for 2026 – On Air Today (August 24, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell guest hosts and shares the latest news stories on Monday, August 24. It’s the first day of class for many local public school students — and for Glenwood Elementary, their last in the current building and together as its Mandarin magnet program. Glenwood families share their disappointment and frustration with the closure and transition process. In Chapel Hill, former Orange County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford is honored at her weekend memorial service. The Town of Chapel Hill’s economic development department wins awards for its work during Tropical Storm Chantal and fostering start-up businesses. In sports: UNC women’s soccer suffers its first loss of the season, men’s soccer prepares for its second game, football prepares for its trip and season-opener in Ireland, and “Carolina Football Live” returns for its first episode of 2026.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in the greater Chapel Hill and Carrboro community. Every weekday afternoon, 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports, and everything in-between. Hear compelling stories, breaking news, and more. Find all of Andrew’s Evening News Reports by clicking here.

Listen:

The post Bedford’s Memorial, Women’s Soccer, and Glenwood’s Last First Day of School – The Evening News (August 24, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill Sports Reporter Michael Koh joins News Director Brighton McConnell on Monday, August 24, to help share big news for the pair’s “Carolina Football Hour on Franklin.” As the show returns for a second season, it will be moving to a pregame slot on the airwaves of the flagship station for Tar Heel sports: three hours before each game’s kick-off. Koh and McConnell share what listeners can expect and what they’re excited about, as well as details of 97.9 The Hill’s other UNC football programming for the 2026 season.

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.

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The post The Carolina Football Hour on Franklin Moves to Saturdays – On Air Today (August 24, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Executive Director of EMPOWERment Delores Bailey and UNC Basketball Legend Phil Ford joined 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, August 20. They discussed the upcoming 30th Anniversary Gala for EMPOWERment. They recapped the history of the organization, their current initiatives and more. They also previewed the upcoming gala at The Story Venue. Buy tickets for the EMPOWERment 30th Anniversary Gala here.

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: Executive Director of EMPOWERment Delores Bailey and UNC Basketball Legend Phil Ford appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill’s Deborah Stroman joins News Director Brighton McConnell on Friday, August 21 to share her perspective on a pair of stories building headlines this week. A federal appeals panel rules differently from a Colorado district court judge and — temporarily — halts plans for Class of 2026 college athletes who had earned an injunction to return to college and compete for a fifth season under the NCAA’s new eligibility model. Stroman details her thoughts on what’s next for those athletes and programs before weighing in on Stephan A. Smith earning the “Thumbs Down Award” from the National Association of Black Journalists.

Dr. Deborah Stroman — who is a consulting professor for UNC and Virginia, sports businesswoman, former basketball player, and columnist — chats with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell each week about headlines from the world of sports. Covering both local and national stories, Stroman specializes in connecting the on-field product to the impact of sports on business, culture and society. Listen to their past conversations on Chapelboro, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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The post Updates on Student-Athletes Fighting for Fifth Year and Stephen A. Smith-NABJ Controversy – Stroman On Sports (August 21, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey presents the evening news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear from CHCCS leaders on their mixed decision on Glenwood Elementary’s World Language Program, Jean Hamilton remembers Jamezetta Bedford ahead of this weekend’s memorial, and more. In sports, we hear a profile of Tar Heel football star Jordan Shipp, and more.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in the greater Chapel Hill and Carrboro community. Every weekday afternoon, 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports, and everything in-between. Hear compelling stories, breaking news, and more. Find all of Andrew’s Evening News Reports by clicking here.

The post The Evening News: CHCCS Decision on Glenwood, Jamezetta Bedford Memorial, Jordan Shipp appeared first on Chapelboro.com.