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

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 14, discussing town news and events. She discussed the recent public hearing on the town’s proposed budget, which saw many community members speak on library funding and more. She also discussed upcoming events in the community 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 Update, Timeline, Library Funding, and More appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, May 14, discussing county news and events. She discussed Tuesday’s public hearing on the budget and the feedback the board received from the community. She also looked ahead to Thursday’s work session on public education, 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 Orange County: Budget Decisions, State Impacts, Upcoming Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, May 13, discussing town news and events. He discussed the town budget proposal, which includes no tax increase, but does have a water and sewer rate increase. He also talked about the town board’s decision to impose a 60-day moratorium on the construction of data-mining facilities as town staff looks at updating land use ordinances. He also congratulated longtime wastewater plant operator Shawn Maines who is set to retire after 28 years with 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: Budget Updates, Data Center Moratorium, Longtime Employee Retires appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, May 12, discussing town news and events. He gave an update on the town budget, discussed the cancellation of the town’s Flock camera contract, and celebrated the town picking up another statewide ward for its public space improvements downtown.

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.

Listen:

The post Chatham County Roundup: Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp on Town Budget, Another Public Space Award, and Flock Cameras appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Kelly Davis and Matt Dietz of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce’s Board and PORCH Hillsborough Program Director Nora Dicker join 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, May 12. The chamber is hosting its inaugural Hillsborough Chamber Golf Classic on Sept. 1, a new event to help support its local businesses and to raise funds for PORCH to fight food insecurity. Dietz and Davis share details of what will make this golf tournament a cut above similar fundraisers, while Dicker shares how PORCH Hillsborough stands to benefit amid a time when there’s a lot of need among local families.

This conversation was presneted by the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about the upcoming Hillsborough Chamber Golf Classic and sign up to be a sponsor on the chamber’s website.

From right to left: Matt Dietz, Nora Dicker and Kelly Davis visit the Chapel Hill Media Group Studios and speak with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell.

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 Introducing the Hillsborough Chamber Golf Classic at Treyburn Country Club! — On Air Today (May 12, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill’s Deborah Stroman and Brighton McConnell chat on Friday, May 8 about the recent expansion of the NCAA Tournament for men’s and women’s college basketball. March Madness will now feature 76 teams instead of 68, with more games preceding the Round of 64. Stroman shares her thoughts on why this happened (money), why it happened now (the SEC and Big Ten), whether it is actually good business for the NCAA and conferences, and why it might ultimately hurt the fans and conference tournaments leading up to the postseason.

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 NCAA Tournament Expansion is Good Business …Or Is It? – Stroman on Sports (May 8, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 7, discussing town news and events. She talked about the recent budget presentation from town manager Ted Voorhees. She talked about there being no tax increase, and highlighted some key areas where there may be funding increases. She also previewed that the town would be providing more feedback opportunities, and more. She also discussed commencement weekend in 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: Budget Priorities, Timelines, and Feedback appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton speaks with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, May 6. Following Tuesday night’s budget presentation by the county manager, Hamilton shares some details and first impressions of the proposal for the 2026-27 fiscal year. She discusses the tough financial decisions the county will face between maintaining required services and keeping services the community has enjoyed, and how she weighs those things with residents’ feedback. Hamilton also shares details on a new way community residents can learn about the budget proposal and get involved in deliberations, as well as highlights a proclamation honoring a local schools figure who just won a national award.

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 Orange County: Details of the Budget Presentation and Tough Decisions to Make — (May 6, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, May 5, discussing town news and events. He previewed the town’s budget, which will have its initial presentation later in May. He discussed the recent trends of data center moratoriums in the area and Hillsborough’s roll in that. He also talked about upcoming summer activities, including a July 4th celebration 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: Budget Preview, Data Centers, July 4 Celebration appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Chatham County Commissioners Amanda Robertson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey. She discussed the county budget recommendation, which does not include a tax increase. She discussed other highlights of the proposal, including a discrepancy in the request from Chatham County Schools, and more. She also discussed a proposed natural gas pipeline through the rural part of the county, 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: Chair of the County Commissioners Amanda Robertson on County Budget appeared first on Chapelboro.com.