In today’s news: Chapel Hill-Carrboro school officials say the district may only have to close one elementary school, not two, thanks to a slowdown in the rate of declining enrollment. Also: UNC grads get ready for Saturday’s commencement; UNC Hospitals get positive marks from a national watchdog; the town of Carrboro receives a legendary guitar; and Chapel Hill’s town manager presents a budget with higher spending but no property tax increase. And in sports: UNC softball falls to Duke in the ACC tournament quarterfinals; Tar Heel baseball gears up for its last home conference series of the regular season; the NCAA tournament begins for UNC lacrosse and continues for UNC women’s tennis; Michael Malone interviews a prospective assistant basketball coach; and the Carolina Hurricanes move one game closer to the Eastern Conference finals.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s daily news reports, which you can hear live during “This Morning with Aaron Keck” every weekday from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

Listen:

The post The Morning News: School Closures in CHCCS, Now Down to One appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This week in history: Alan Shepard flies to space, and the Morehead Planetarium opens in Chapel Hill. As for more Earth-bound things: Roger Bannister breaks the four-minute mile, and a college student’s shoddy work leads directly to a Constitutional amendment.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every Thursday morning, local historian Scott Washington joins 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck for “History Matters,” a look back at notable events and significant figures from this week in history, ranging from pioneers to writers to inventors to civil rights champions and more, locally, nationally, and beyond.

Click here to listen back to the full History Matters archive – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” Thursday mornings at 8:30 on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

Listen:

The post History Matters: Where You Are in the Universe appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Trending today: Victor discovers the wild world of competitive fishing, which one man is trying to unite under one grand flag. (Also, Victor and Aaron brainstorm new names for fishing leagues, Victor wonders how much of competitive fishing is basically just luck, and Aaron tries to make a Tom Brady joke but Victor isn’t going for it.)

Want to know what folks are talking about on social media? Every weekday on 97.9 The Hill’s “This Morning with Aaron Keck,” Victor Lewis scours the Internet for the day’s top trending stories, from weird news to wacky crimes to odd business ventures and everything in between. Click here to listen back to all our past What’s Trending segments – and tune in to “This Morning” on 97.9 The Hill every weekday at 7:45 to hear What’s Trending live on the air.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

What’s Trending is made possible by Dynamic Electric. Listen now:

The post What’s Trending: Tilapialooza! appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

In today’s news: Orange and Chatham County leaders get next year’s budget proposals, and a bank is robbed in Hillsborough. Also: Orange County Commissioners approve the hiring of a consultant to improve the property revaluation process; the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board continues discussing future school closures; and Democratic lawmakers push back against potential threats to Medicaid in Raleigh. And in sports: UNC softball gets an upset win in the ACC tournament, while two Tar Heels earn all-conference honors; UNC men’s golf gets its spot in the NCAA tournament; and the Carolina Hurricanes look to take a big lead in their playoff series.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s daily news reports, which you can hear live during “This Morning with Aaron Keck” every weekday from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

Listen:

The post The Morning News: Orange and Chatham County Budgets, Hillsborough Bank Robbery appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

It’s time for another round of Studio Sessions with the School of Rock Chapel Hill, featuring three classic songs performed by the House Band!

This month, we look back at previous performances by the House Band that spotlight the work of vocalist Ripley Florek and drummer Joshua Bosworth. They’re both graduating seniors enjoying their final months with School of Rock  – and reflecting on their favorite memories from their time with the school – before heading off to college (Boston U for Bosworth, App State for Florek). School of Rock owner/GM David Joseph is also on hand to look ahead to the summer – including School of Rock’s ninth anniversary show on May 9, plus a show the following day at Shakori Hills as well as a summer tour that’ll take the House Band to Dollywood, Nashville, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Asheville, among other spots.

Listen to their conversation, plus a listen back to three previous band performances: Beabadoobee’s “The Perfect Pair,” the Foo Fighters’ “Rope,” and Foals’ “Snake Oil.”

The post Studio Sessions with School of Rock Chapel Hill: 2026 Senior Retrospective! appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Trending today: Mexico bans the sale of e-cigarettes – a bold move to fight the rise of vaping, but one that has the potential of creating a black market. (Which Aaron’s not sure isn’t a terrible long-term idea, come to think of it.) Also, Victor squeaks a rubber duck for the last time.

Want to know what folks are talking about on social media? Every weekday on 97.9 The Hill’s “This Morning with Aaron Keck,” Victor Lewis scours the Internet for the day’s top trending stories, from weird news to wacky crimes to odd business ventures and everything in between. Click here to listen back to all our past What’s Trending segments – and tune in to “This Morning” on 97.9 The Hill every weekday at 7:45 to hear What’s Trending live on the air.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

What’s Trending is made possible by Dynamic Electric. Listen now:

The post What’s Trending: The Funny Thing About Making Stuff Illegal appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

This week is Small Business Week, and the town of Chapel Hill is encouraging you to get out and support local businesses! Aaron welcomes Sarah Potter and Sarah Grace Acker from the town, along with Sophia Saylor of Silhouette Pilates, which recently opened downtown at 140 West Franklin Street.

Conversation presented by the Town of Chapel Hill. Click here for more information on Small Business Week.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck chats with government officials, UNC scholars, business and nonprofit leaders, area musicians, and others in our community as they share their thoughts, their experience, and their expertise on the central issues of today. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s conversations – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” at 7:30 a.m. on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

Listen:

The post On Air Today: Small Business Week 2026 in Chapel Hill appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

In today’s news: Carrboro officials identify the man killed in Monday’s apartment fire, and Hillsborough sues two residents for allegedly feeding vultures. Also: Orange County manager Travis Myren unveils his budget proposal for next year, including a property tax hike to cover increasing costs; the State Senate tentatively approves a moratorium on county-level property revaluations; and a UNC student has a very close connection to new basketball coach Michael Malone. And in sports: the ACC tournament begins for UNC softball; Tar Heel baseball hosts Winthrop for a midweek contest; two Tar Heel lacrosse stars get big individual honors; and the Durham Bulls win a wild one on Tuesday night.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s daily news reports, which you can hear live during “This Morning with Aaron Keck” every weekday from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

Listen:

The post The Morning News: Carrboro Fire, Hillsborough Vultures, Orange County Budget appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

What’s trending today is something that’s not trending: 8K televisions, which are so unpopular that manufacturers are stopping production. An 8K television is an advance in picture quality over the more common 4K screens, but the difference is so minimal to the human eye that nobody thinks it’s worth the cost. (Also, Victor and Aaron turn into crotchety old men – you know, more so.)

Want to know what folks are talking about on social media? Every weekday on 97.9 The Hill’s “This Morning with Aaron Keck,” Victor Lewis scours the Internet for the day’s top trending stories, from weird news to wacky crimes to odd business ventures and everything in between. Click here to listen back to all our past What’s Trending segments – and tune in to “This Morning” on 97.9 The Hill every weekday at 7:45 to hear What’s Trending live on the air.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

What’s Trending is made possible by Dynamic Electric. Listen now:

The post What’s Trending: 8K, No Way appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Aaron welcomes UNC education professor Troy Sadler, who recently won a national award for his work in science education. Sadler’s work grew out of his own past experience as a middle- and high-school teacher, where he grew to appreciate the benefits of teaching math and science by starting with the “grand challenges” that we all face, from climate change to global pandemics. Today, he focuses on developing ways that educators can teach basic science concepts by starting with those real-world issues.

97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck chats with government officials, UNC scholars, business and nonprofit leaders, area musicians, and others in our community as they share their thoughts, their experience, and their expertise on the central issues of today. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s conversations – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” at 7:30 a.m. on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live.

You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments, from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews.

Listen:

The post On Air Today: Teaching Science by Tackling ‘Grand Challenges,’ with UNC’s Troy Sadler appeared first on Chapelboro.com.