The 5:00 News

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell shares the top local news stories on Wednesday, March 2, including details of Orange County rescinding much of its mask mandate.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell breaks down the latest local news on Tuesday, March 1. The filing period for local primary elections continues. Orange County leaders meet with health officials to get data for informing their indoor mask mandate. Chapel Hill’s Estes Drive Connectivity Project is set to pick up again. A local photographer highlights town employees in a brief photo series at the local library. Plus: UNC men’s basketball wins a thriller on Senior Night.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell starts off the week with a roundup of local news on Monday, February 28. COVID-19 trends in North Carolina continue to decline, but the CDC’s latest measurements still put local counties in “high risk” categories. Strike organizers against Acme in Carrboro turn their focus to a new workers coalition. A dispute over creative control leads to a local photographer’s exhibit being dropped from UNC’s campus. Plus: UNC women’s basketball celebrates Senior Day with a big win, while the men’s basketball team prepares for theirs vs. Syracuse.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell helps close out the week with a series of stories on Friday, February 25. A Duke expert on Russia and policy describes how the attacks in Ukraine have similarities to Russia’s treatment of Kazakhstan in the past. UNC Health announces it’s surpassed 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines administered. Orange County school districts meet with county officials to discuss masking, mental health and teacher retention. Plus: lots of Carolina Athletics programs are in action!

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell details the latest local news on Thursday, February 24. The filing period for 2022 primary elections reopens after a long suspension — who is running locally? Orange County’s congressman release a strong criticism of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. Local teachers are feeling the strain of high demand, low pay and elements of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chapel Hill’s American Legion post continues to settle into its new facility and home. Plus: UNC gymnastics celebrates senior night and women’s lacrosse runs away vs. Pitt.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell shares the latest headlines on Wednesday, February 23, including updates on the state’s redistricting saga. A trial court approves new voting maps for the 2022 elections, but all three get appealed and will head back to the North Carolina Supreme Court. Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s representative in the state House explains why she’s stepping down early from her seat. Orange County Schools passes additional tweaks to COVID-19 mitigation measures in addition to updating their mask mandate. Plus: East Rosemary Street prepares for closures and UNC men’s lacrosse pulls out a late win.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell brings listeners local news stories on Tuesday, February 22. The Orange County Schools Board of Education votes to keep its mask mandate in place, only as long as the county government’s is in place. A Chatham County official shares thoughts on the criticism school board members have recently faced. Scams took more than $93 million from North Carolinians last year. UNC libraries are struggling to consistently have students follow masking policies. Plus: Carolina baseball is action, while the men’s basketball team guts out a win against Louisville.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell helps start off the week with local news stories on Monday, February 21. Chapel Hill Police search for a missing person and turn to the public for help. Chatham County announces plans to drop its mask mandate for government facilities, while Orange County Schools’ Board of Education weighs doing the same on campuses. Carrboro Elementary School loses water for the end of the school day, District 56 will see an appointment to the House and a Durham man wins a state lottery game. Plus: UNC men’s basketball prepares for Louisville and the women’s team rises in the AP poll.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell helps close the week with a flurry of local news on Friday, February 18. Orange County leaders announce they are maintaining the indoor mask mandate. CHCCS says it will consider gradually moving to optional masking, while also announcing a new principal. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office seeks the public’s help in identifying a shooting suspect. Workers on strike at Acme announce they have reached a resolution with the restaurant. Plus: UNC women’s basketball earn the biggest upset in the Courtney Banghart era and the Diamond Heels start their season with a bang.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell shares the latest local news on Thursday, February 17. Governor Roy Cooper announces new recommendations for this stage of the pandemic, saying local mask mandates should begin to be scaled back. Chatham County’s Board of Education votes to do just that. A high-speed chase through part of Chapel Hill ends in a crash and serious injuries. The state legislature gets closer to finalizing new voting maps. Plus: UNC men’s basketball suffers a tournament-damaging loss, UNC students voice concerns about the lack of isolation housing and the Triangle’s arts councils announce a new fundraiser.

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