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

97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck (filling in for Andrew Stuckey) welcomes reporter Lisa Sorg of Inside Climate News North Carolina. Her latest piece focuses on the residents of Durham’s McDougald Terrace housing community, who’ve been plagued by a creek that was contaminated by a chemical dump; Durham officials have petitioned state and federal regulators for assistance, but have gotten little response so far.

Click here to read Lisa Sorg’s piece on McDougald Terrace.

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 past Climate Thursday conversations here.

The post Climate Thursday: ‘A Creek That Smells Like Death’ appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson joins 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck on Thursday, August 21. It’s back-to-school time in Chapel Hill (should the first week of class be called “FWOC”?), and there are numerous events around town – including the annual Good Neighbor Initiative to welcome UNC students back, plus a “Roll & Stroll” event on Saturday to promote safe biking for K-12 students. Mayor Anderson also discusses the ongoing recovery from Tropical Depression Chantal, both for businesses and residents – and looks ahead to the long term, in terms of mitigating future flood events down the road. Also this week, Aaron and Mayor Anderson discuss the Uproar Festival of Public Art, which is wrapping up this week, and Chapel Hill’s CARE crisis unit, which is marking one year in operation.

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 Chapel Hill: Mayor Jess Anderson on ‘FWOC,’ Chantal Recovery, and the CARE Crisis Unit appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Rodney Trice joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, August 19. Ahead of the first day of class next week — and his first school year as a superintendent — Trice discusses the emotions around returning to instruction and full activity on school campuses. He reminds families of the recent software change for the district, as well as a new cellphone and electronics policy being enforced. The superintendent also discusses a recent hypothetical scenario presented to the CHCCS Board of Education around closing an elementary school and why his administration believes its smart to engage with the idea.

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 Superintendent Rodney Trice on the New School Year appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell guest-hosts “News On The Hill” for Tuesday, August 19 and shares the latest local news. NCDOT announces a new bus services available in Chapel Hill, connecting the community to a broader service along the eastern seaboard. Trader Joe’s and Guglhupf Bake Shop in Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossing reopen after remediating from Chantal’s floodwaters. Water quality in local waterways has improved since that intense flooding, but the Neuse Riverkeeper suggests tips to keep in mind after rains and high waters. Triangle Land Conservancy files a lawsuit against Union Grove Farm in the latest step in the tension around a performance stage on the farmland. An infectious disease expert at UNC Health cautions against the approaches take by the federal health department around mRNA vaccines and shares why the technology is beneficial, albeit new. And in sports: UNC field hockey tops the preseason ACC coaches’ poll and Carolina volleyball looks to take another leap in 2025.

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 Bus Service, Vaccine Funding and Trader Joe’s + Guglhupf’s Reopening appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Chatham County Commissioner Amanda Robertson speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, August 19. For her debut on the segment — and within her first year as an elected official — she discusses what she’s enjoyed and what has surprised her since joining the board. Robertson also details Monday’s meeting of the commissioners, which included a presentation on the emergency response to Tropical Depression Chantal and ongoing recovery efforts. She also shares some of the ways Chatham is set to feel impacts from President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and the new responsibilities facing state governments.

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: County Commissioner Amanda Robertson appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, August 19. He shares what details are publicly known about a dramatic fire along South Churton Street from the weekend, as well as digging into a pair of items on last week’s agenda for the Board of Commissioners. Bell discusses a proposed police department reorganization amid a big staffing change and what pieces of artwork the town purchased for permanent display from the Uproar Festival of Public Art.

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: South Churton Street Fire, Police Department Changes and Buying Public Artwork appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Deborah Stroman speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Friday, August 15 for “Stroman on Sports.” The pair discuss The Athletic’s recent report on the rise of stalking in sports, how athletes are being targeted by individuals fixated on them and the athletes’ experiences. Stroman shares her perspective from an incident during her playing days and the impact on athletes’ safety. She also discusses how parasocial relationships continue to warp people’s reality and connection to real people, as well as what steps can be taken to still allow healthy interactions with fans.

Read “‘I’m sitting behind the bench’: Inside sports’ escalating stalking problem” on The Athletic.

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 Stroman on Sports: Stalking in Sports and the Dangers of Parasocial Relationships appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell guest-hosts “News On The Hill” on Friday, August 15 and closes out the week with local news updates. The North Carolina State Health Plan will have higher premiums in 2026 after its Board of Trustees voted on Friday to enact increases. The UNC School of Law learns when its current dean will step down and names the interim dean in his stead. Hargraves Community Center in Chapel Hill prepares for its annual back-to-school event with giveaways of important items. Hillsborough’s Fairview Youth In Action program holds its own annual event and announces new murals in the community, but faces federal cuts that could challenge its future. Pittsboro approves the final step to prohibit tractor-trailer traffic in its downtown. And in sports: UNC women’s soccer drops its opening game of the season and Carolina Athletics announces details of its football coach’s show for the fall.

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: Fairview Program’s Funding, State Health Plan Premiums, and ‘Carolina Football Live’ appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell over the phone on Friday, August 15. With Tropical Depression Chantal’s floodwaters causing destruction and chaos in July, the town hasn’t been able to publicly celebrate its All-America City Award — until now. Foushee shares details of the upcoming event and the decision to postpone it until September, as well as details on three other fall festivals announced this week. Plus, the mayor shares a welcome to UNC students returning for the fall semester.

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: Celebrating The All-America City Win, Upcoming Fall Festivals and UNC Students appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

UNC Volleyball Head Coach Mike Schall joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell in-studio on Friday, August 15. As his team has wrapped up its preseason practices, he shares details on the new roster and the excitement ahead of his third season in charge. Schall talks about building off the program’s best season since 2016 by using the young core’s hunger and drive to establish a new standard for Carolina, especially in a competitive conference like the ACC. The head coach also discusses UNC volleyball’s approach to the shifting college athletics landscape and controlling what can be controlled within the program. Finally, Schall pitches the greater Chapel Hill community on why they need to visit Carmichael Arena for a game this fall.

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: UNC Volleyball Head Coach Mike Schall on the Upcoming 2025 Season appeared first on Chapelboro.com.