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

Town of Chapel Hill Fire Inspector Mike Miller, Community Sustainability Manager John Richardson, and Community Safety Public Information Officer Kanen Lawson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 21. They discussed Heat Awareness Week, highlighting actions that individuals can take to prepare for the heat, as well as systems the town government has in place to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat, 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.

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Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 21, discussing town news and events. She gave an update on the town budget after a public hearing earlier in the week. She also discussed updates to the town’s climate action plan, and incentives package for Blue Sky Robotics to bring 150 jobs to their headquarters downtown. She also talked about the upcoming Memorial Day holiday 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 Chapel Hill: Budget Updates, Climate Action Plan, 150 Jobs Downtown appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party Anderson Clayton joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, May 20. With the 2026 general elections coming up, Clayton shares what her team and party is focused on going into the pivotal midterms. She shares takeaways from Democrats’ performance and voting patterns in March’s primary cycle, how the party’s strategy of prioritizing participation in rural communities is paying off, and how Clayton is trying to use North Carolina as an example amid the national debate around partisan gerrymandering and the nullification of the Voting Rights Act. Finally, the party chair details some unheralded races this fall that she wants to raise awareness about.

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. Here past interviews on-demand on Chapelboro, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen:

The post Anderson Clayton on N.C. Democratic Party’s General Election Preparation — On Air Today (May 20, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, May 19, discussing town news and events. He talked about the latest budget conversations for the town, which include the town board asking the town manager for a tax increase. He discussed the timeline for the updated budget, other upcoming town events, 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: Budget Update, Tax Increase, Water and Sewer appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, May 20, discussing county news and events. She recapped the county’s recent budget budget recommendation, with specific discussion of school funding. She also previewed an upcoming budget meeting in Siler City. She also discussed the county’s decision to keep the Fearrington Preserve conversation going through July to continue to get community feedback. She discussed opposition to a proposed pipeline, and more.

97.9 The Hill’s broadcast of the Chatham County Roundup is sponsored by Chatham County’s own Rocky River Hemp, your local source for regeneratively grown hemp CBD and THC products like oils, salves, gummies, seltzers, facial serums and dog treats.

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 on Budget, Pipeline, and Fearrington Preserve appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Alison Friedman, the executive and artistic director for Carolina Performing Arts, joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, May 19 to bring details of CPA’s new festival. “All. Together. Now.” will launch next February spanning across a weekend, offering dozens of performances, showcases and workshops for people to experience. Friedman shares the vision behind the inaugural event, details on how people can access the different shows, and why CPA chose “love and hope” as the central themes for this year’s iteration.

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. Here past interviews on-demand on Chapelboro, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen:

The post Alison Friedman on Carolina Performing Arts’ New Festival — On Air Today (May 19, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, May 18. He discussed the upcoming public hearing on the decision surrounding possible closure of one of the district’s elementary schools. He shared that due to public interest, the meeting has been moved to Smith Middle School from the Lincoln Center. The meeting will still be on Thursday, May 21. He also talked about graduation and other important end-of-year events.

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: CHCCS Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks on Public Hearing, Graduation, and More appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Co-Chairs of CHCCS Project Graduation, Aylin McGowan of Carrboro High School, Natalie Fitzhugh from Chapel Hill High School, and Ellie Zerden of East Chapel Hill High School spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, May 18. They discussed the purpose and history of Project Graduation, what they expect at this year’s event, what motivated them to get involved, and more. They also shared this year’s fundraising goal, which they are still 20k away from achieving. Community members who wish to help support Project Graduation can find more information and donate at the Project Graduation Website.

Ellie Zerden, East Chapel Hill High School, Aylin McGowan, Carrboro High School, Natalie Fitzhugh, Chapel Hill High School and Andrew Stuckey

Presented by Project Graduation.

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.

Listen:

The post On Air Today: Co-Chairs of CHCCS Project Graduation – Aylin McGowan, Natalie Fitzhugh, and Ellie Zerden appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill’s Deborah Stroman speaks with News Director Brighton McConnell on Friday, May 15, from Charlottesville as she is on the University of Virginia campus for commencement weekend. With UNC having celebrated its own last week, the pair talk about the academic side of the college athlete’s experience and why — despite some athletes now being paid directly for their athletic services — it still matters. Debby also shares her advice for new graduates (and those who interact with new graduates) to remember during this season of change.

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 Commencement Weekend and How Academics Still Matter for College Athletes – Stroman on Sports (May 15, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Friday, May 15, discussing town news and events. She gave an update on the town’s proposed budget, which does not call for a tax increase, but does have funding cuts for nonprofits, and other financial pressure points for the community and local governments. She also talked about some climate action funds that are available, and more. She also previewed some upcoming community events 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 Carrboro: Budget Update, Funding Cuts to Nonprofits, Climate Action appeared first on Chapelboro.com.