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

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell joins 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck on Tuesday, December 2. The town board doesn’t meet this week, but they do have an organizational meeting next week to dole out committee assignments for the upcoming year. Town officials are also still contending with the ongoing recovery from Tropical Depression Chantal, and Mayor Bell provides good news and bad news on that front: lots of progress is being made, but crews are still uncovering damage from the storm, and he says it’ll probably be another year and a half before the town achieves full recovery. Another ongoing concern is the (rumored) presence of immigration enforcers in the Triangle: no reports have been confirmed this week despite early worries, but the issue is continuing to spark discussion. Finally, Bell looks ahead to a busy month of holiday activities – including this weekend’s Holiday Parade and the upcoming Solstice Lantern Walk on December 20.

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 Jamezetta Bedford; 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: Chantal Recovery, ICE in the Triangle, and Holiday Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Deborah Stroman speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Friday, Nov. 28. The Thanksgiving holiday delivered several exciting games — like UNC women’s basketball winning over South Dakota State, men’s basketball falling to Michigan State, and a trio of NFL matchups. Stroman shares her thoughts on Courtney Banghart’s team’s performances of late, including a triple-double by Indya Nivar, and details where she believes Hubert Davis’ team fell short vs. the Spartans.

Dr. Deborah Stroman — who is a UNC professor, sports businesswoman, former basketball player, and columnist — chats with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell each week about the world of sports. Click here to listen to their past conversations on the latest sports headlines and impact in the game, on culture, and for business.

The post Thanksgiving Sports Recap, Including Tar Heel Basketball and NFL — Stroman On Sports (Nov. 28, 2025) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell substitutes for the show on Wednesday, Nov. 26 and shares the latest local headlines. A new economic development project is announced by Gov. Josh Stein’s office, with the French company CITEL planning on relocating its American operations to Hillsborough. The state budget is still in limbo, but the North Carolina Superintendent is advocating for a plan to fund and develop the public school system to improve its national rankings. The local U.S. representative speaks out against the forecasted rise in health care premiums. The Thanksgiving holiday delays local government services, and leaves some UNC students staying on campus wondering what they’ll be eating for Thanksgiving dinner. Finally: UNC men’s basketball defeats St. Bonaventure, Carolina volleyball beats Virginia and Tar Heel women’s basketball prepares for a three-day tournament in Cancun.

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 5:00 News Reports by clicking here.

The post The 5:00 News: New Economic Development, School Improvement Visions and Holiday Hoops appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford speaks with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Ahead of her rotating off as board chair, Bedford shares her plans to run for re-election in District 1, as well as shares the other candidates she knows so far. She also discusses what she can about the plans for CITEL announced by Gov. Josh Stein to relocated the French company’s U.S. operations to Orange County, and shares why it’s not a done deal just yet.

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 Jamezetta Bedford; 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: CITEL Deal, Finishing Board Chair Duties and Filing Period appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Caitlin Murphy, a communications specialist for the Town of Pittsboro, joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, Nov. 26 to discuss the latest news around the town government. She details the success of Pittsboro’s Holly Days from the past weekend to ring in the holiday season, and the upcoming parade in December. Murphy also shares the ongoing town survey about downtown public properties, which asks residents what they would like to see the land or buildings used for in the future.

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: Pittsboro’s Communications Specialist Caitlin Murphy appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

During an abbreviated “News On The Hill” on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell shares local news headlines. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirms details about a house fire and domestic violence incident from the weekend in Hillsborough. A car crash in Chapel Hill closes a key road overnight. The Orange County Arts Commission shares economic and survey data following its UPROAR arts festival in August. Pittsboro commissioners share their thoughts on the split vote that approved Chatham Park’s South Village earlier this month. Plus: UNC men’s and women’s basketball get ready to begin their respective MTE non-conference games, while Carolina women’s soccer sees its season end and the Diamond Heels release their schedule.

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 5:00 News Reports by clicking here.

The post The 4:00 News: Hillsborough Fire, Examining Pittsboro’s South Village Vote, Baseball Schedule appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Bell joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, Nov. 25 to detail news around town. Bell brings highlights from Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, which included passing a resolution affirming Fourth Amendment rights, hearing updates on its strategic plan priorities, and updating the town’s urban service boundary. Bell also shares the ways he voiced support for local immigrant communities last week in the wake of a federal operation in the Triangle and reminds residents of what town services are disrupted this week by the Thanksgiving holiday.

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 Jamezetta Bedford; 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: Fourth Amendment Rights, Urban Service Boundary and Holiday Service appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

In the wake of last week’s federal immigration enforcement operation, Eliazar Posada-Orozco joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Monday, Nov. 24 to share his own experience and others’ in the immigrant community. The Carrboro Town Council member details the impact felt across the Triangle and how people’s fear led to disruption of daily life. Posada-Orozco also details some of the misconceptions and misinformation around the events, his belief in the importance of elected officials speaking up, and resources for people to use moving forward to stay connected to immigrant networks.

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: Eliazar Posada-Orozco on the Community’s Response to ICE Operations appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Deborah Stroman speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Friday, Nov. 21. With the UNC women’s basketball team coming off of two convincing wins following their first loss of the season to No. 3 UCLA, Stroman shares her impressions of the Tar Heels — including which players have stood out and which she believes need to step up.

Dr. Deborah Stroman — who is a UNC professor, sports businesswoman, former basketball player, and columnist — chats with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell each week about the world of sports. Click here to listen to their past conversations on the latest sports headlines and impact in the game, on culture, and for business.

The post Impressions of UNC and ACC Women’s Basketball 5 Games In — Stroman On Sports (Nov. 21, 2025) appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Friday, November 21, discussing town news and events. She discussed the most recent meeting of the town council, including the passage of the Downtown Area Plan. She also talked about the recent presence of federal immigration officials in the Triangle, and a resolution passed by the town council in response to that. She also recalled Thursday’s ceremony inducting Braxton Foushee into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 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 Jamezetta Bedford; 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: Downtown Area Plan Passes, Supporting Immigrant Communities, Braxton Foushee Honored appeared first on Chapelboro.com.