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

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell substitutes for Andrew Stuckey and shares local news stories on Tuesday, Mar. 24. UNC announces its vice provost for artificial intelligence is departing campus after just two years, leaving the university looking for someone to fill an increasingly-important role to the administration. Chatham County and Orange County Schools’ elected officials hold specially called meetings postponed by last week’s storm. CHCCS is continuing to hear from stakeholders on the potential closure of elementary schools, and the district warns how any decision will not impact the upcoming fiscal year. Plus: a pair of Orange County community members earn a special statewide honor, UNC women’s basketball plans a send-off party for the Sweet 16, and Carolina gymnastics learn their opponents for NCAA Regionals next week.

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.

The post UNC’s AI Leader Leaves; Uncertain Budget Season Approaches for CHCCS — The Evening News (Mar. 24, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Town of Pittsboro Communications Director Caitlin Murphy chats with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, Mar. 24. Murphy brings exciting news about a recent award given to Pittsboro during the recent Main Street Conference held in New Bern, N.C., as well as general updates on the Pittsboro Downtown Properties redevelopment project that is on the agenda for Chatham County Commissioners’ Tuesday meeting. She also details how Pittsboro residents can weigh in on the town board’s upcoming budget discussions and planning efforts while recapping recent tree-plantings around town for Arbor Day.

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 Pocket Park Award Recognition, Downtown Redevelopment and Arbor Day — Chatham County Roundup (Mar. 24, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, Mar 24. He shares highlights from Monday’s work session of the town Board of Commissioners — including a celebration of the town’s two decades of dedicated stormwater work and preparation for a local business’ participation in a global beer party. Plus, Bell details a settlement that could close the blook on an unusual development project and lawsuit between a builder and the town government. Finally, the mayor previews upcoming events, like Creek Week and Hillsborough’s annual dog Easter egg hunt!

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: Stormwater Success, An Unusual Legal Settlement and Zwanze Day (Mar. 24, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

President and Principal of Beechwood Homes Steven Dubb spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, March 23. He discussed Beechwood Homes South Creek development off 15-501 South across from Southern Village. He discussed the process of coming to an agreement with the town on the development, the inclusion of an 80-acre public nature preserve on the site, timelines for when more of the development will be ready, and more.

Presented by Beechwood Homes.

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: A South Creek Update from Beechwood Homes President and Principal Steven Dubb appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell substitutes on the show and shares the latest local news on Monday, Mar. 23. Tar Heel fans across the country are awaiting to see what will happen around the UNC men’s basketball program, as the team’s collapse in the NCAA Tournament leaves Hubert Davis’ position shakier than ever before. Sports reporter Michael Koh reflects on how the loss to VCU is indicative of not just Carolina’s season, but on-court results under Davis’ tenure. Meanwhile, UNC women’s basketball reels off two tournament wins to reach the Sweet 16 and a likely date with No. 1 seed UConn. Also: a project to bring recreational athletic fields to Orange County advances, a Chapel Hill resident wins a $1 million lottery prize, and a UNC fencer makes history by winning the national title.

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.

The post UNC Basketball Highs + Lows, Millhouse Road Rec Fields and A Fencing Title — The Evening News (Mar. 23, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Monday, Mar. 23. Despite no new updates since establishing the district’s scope of study on a trio of elementary schools that could be closed soon, the topic continues to drum up passion among the CHCCS community. Jenks shares his perspective on that, how the district is hearing from stakeholders, and how the study on the schools — Ephesus Elementary, Glenwood Elementary and Seawell Elementary — aim to keep the process objective. He also shares how any potential closure will impact future budget seasons, but not the upcoming one…which will instead by complicated by the lack of a state budget. Plus: spring break awaits CHCCS students and staff!

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 CHCCS’ Ongoing Review of Elementary Schools Ahead of Closure Discussions — Speaking of Schools (Mar. 23, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com sports reporter Michael Koh joined news director Brighton McConnell on the air Monday, Mar. 23. Coming off a momentous weekend for Carolina sports, Koh shares his thoughts on the Tar Heels men’s basketball program’s murky path forward with head coach Hubert Davis and how university leaders seem to be navigating a review of his tenure. The duo go over the themes of Davis’ five years at the helm and how UNC’s head coaching position will be coveted — but will still need significant resources to find modern success. Plus, Koh discusses the success of the UNC women’s basketball team in its win over No. 5 seed Maryland and what their potential matchup looks like in the Sweet 16.

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 Taking the Temperature of Hubert Davis’ Seat and Projecting UNC Women’s Basketball’s Future — On Air Today (Mar. 23, 2026) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell fills in for Andrew Stuckey on Friday, Mar. 20 to share local news headlines. The first rounds of March Madness are delivering drama — with UNC women’s basketball preparing to start its own story, and UNC men’s basketball being on the wrong side of history. In local government, the results of the closest Orange County primary race is now ratified after a recount and a pair of elected bodies pass resolutions to push for constraints around the creation of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. A trio of road work projects begin around Orange County on Monday. Plus: we remember a pair of influential civil servants who recently passed and have remembrances of life coming up.

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.

The post March Madness for UNC Men’s and Women’s + Climate Change Resolutions and Road Work — Mar. 20, 2026 (The Evening News) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Friday, March 20, discussing town news and events. She talked about the passing of community leader Mae McClendon from earlier in the week, including the impact and legacy left behind by Ms. McClendon. She also recapped the most recent meeting of the Carrboro Town Council, which saw a resolution directed at Gov. Stein urging him to take firmer action in pressuring energy providers to switch to renewable resources, 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: Life and Legacy of Mae McClendon, Climate Resolution To Governor appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Deborah Stroman chats with Brighton McConnell ahead of UNC women’s basketball’s first round NCAA Tournament game in Chapel Hill on Friday, Mar. 20. She previews the Tar Heels’ weekend schedule hosting games and what she’s looking to see from Courtney Banghart’s team as they take on Western Illinois. Stroman also shares the storylines she’s most interested in for the women’s side of March Madness — after weighing in on UNC men’s basketball’s disappointing end to its season with a first-round overtime loss to VCU.

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.

The post As UNC Women’s Basketball Gets its March Madness Started, Carolina Men’s Basketball Crashes Out – Mar. 20, 2026 appeared first on Chapelboro.com.