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

Chapel Hill Town Council Member Wes McMahon speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Thursday, July 2 as he substitutes for Mayor Jess Anderson. As he enters the halfway point of his first year on the job, McMahon shares his impressions and takeaways from serving in elected office — including the areas that have surprised and excited him the most. He also details ways he’s noticed the community has recovered (and is still recovering) from Tropical Storm Chantal as we approach one year since the flood. Finally, McMahon shares some reminders of the upcoming Fourth of July drone show put on by the town and updates from the Parks and Rec department.

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.

Listen:

The post Chapel Hill: Wes McMahon on His First Six Months on Town Council, Anniversary of Chantal Flooding, and July 4th appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Cameron Clinard, the public information officer for TriRiver Water, joins 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, July 1 to talk about the utility agency’s ongoing projects and the ongoing drought.

The post Chatham County Roundup: Cameron Clinard of TriRiver Water appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell guest-hosts on Wednesday, July 1, and shares the latest local headlines. The heat wave hitting the country reaches the region, with central North Carolina under a heat advisory with temperatures hitting 100 degrees and forecasted to get even hotter this weekend. On top of that, extended drought conditions have the Orange Water and Sewer Authority alerting residents to their protocols around water restrictions and good conservation tips to use before its water levels get critically depleted. In Raleigh, North Carolina Republicans unveil and begin to pass a state budget — the first in more than 1,000 days. And Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson helps detail the end goal for the town’s ongoing overhaul of its land use management ordinance. Plus, in sports: the Tar Heel Takeover on ACC Network continues and Diamond Heels’ star pitcher Caden Glauber commits to another season in Chapel Hill.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. 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 Triple-Digit Temperatures, Risk of Water Restrictions, and Caden Glauber Updates – The Evening News (July 1, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners Jean Hamilton speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, July 1. With the county under a heat advisory, Hamilton shares some advice and ways the county is monitoring extreme weather like this. Then, she dives into details on some of the board’s upcoming agenda items — like the upcoming Crisis Diversion Facility, the discussion of new oversight for the tax administrator as they search for a replacement, and more.

Board Chair Jean Hamilton (Photo via Hamilton for Orange County.)

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.

Listen:

The post Orange County: Extreme Heat, Crisis Diversion Facility, Tax Administrator appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill’s Dr. Deborah Stroman and News Director Brighton McConnell chat on Wednesday, July 1 as they react to this week’s news of a new federal investigation into illegal bets on the NBA. Former NBA player and UNC player Ed Davis helped coordinate with then-Milwaukee Bucks player Malik Beasley as he manipulated his stats and cashed in with co-conspirators. Stroman shares her reaction to the scandal and prevalence of gambling advertisements across pro sports, as well as her perspective on how to Carolina fans can sort through their feelings of seeing a Tar Heel involved.

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.

Listen:

The post Reacting to Former UNC Player Ed Davis’ Involvement in Latest NBA Gambling Scandal – Stroman on Sports (July 1, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, June 30, discussing town news and events. The conversation focused on a deep dive into the upcoming ‘Together We are America” festival at River Park in downtown Hillsborough on July 4. The celebration will include live music, crafts, living history demonstrations, family activities, and more from 10am to 9:30pm.

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.

Listen:

The post Hillsborough: July 4 in Hillsborough appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill’s Deborah Stroman and Brighton McConnell talk on Friday, June 26, about the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup for men’s soccer and how — so far — the tournament has been a major success. With fans from the participating countries streaming into North America to watch their teams compete, there have been many stories and examples of celebrating culture that are educational, inspiring and exciting. Plus, the U.S. men’s national team has played well enough to have American fans dreaming about the possibilities of going deep into the tournament on home soil.

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.

Listen:

The post The Uplifting U.S. World Cup Experience, On and Off The Field – Stroman on Sports (June 26, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Friday, June 26, discussing town news and events. She discussed the town council’s meeting from June 16, previewed July 4th festivities in the town, updated Tropical Storm Chantal Recovery as the one year anniversary nears, discussed Jamezetta Bedford’s legacy, and more.

Mayor Barbara Foushee of Carrboro.

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 Carrboro: Council Update, July 4, Jamezetta Bedford appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Inside Climate News North Carolina Reporter Lisa Sorg spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, June 25. She discussed some of her recent reporting, including a chemical company polluting a creek in Durham, an energy provider proposing a pipeline in Chatham County, and more.

Each Thursday, “News on the Hill” centers conversations around climate and sustainability for our Climate Thursday segment. We visit with community leaders, policy makers, and experts in the fields of climate science and sustainability in order to put all of the latest climate news into local context. Find our past Climate Thursday conversations here.

The post Climate Thursday: Inside Climate News Reporter Lisa Sorg appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, June 25, discussing town news and events. She shared details of a proclamation recognizing County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford after her death earlier in the week. She also talked about recognition for B3 and their work with people with disabilities. She also updated the town’s progress on the Land Use Management Ordinance rewrite, previewed upcoming events including July 4, and more.

Mayor Jess Anderson of Chapel Hill.

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 Chapel Hill: Jamezetta Bedford Remembered, LUMO, Upcoming Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.