The 5:00 News

97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell starts the week with local news reports on Monday, January 24. The Orange County courts system shares updates to its bail policy, aiming for reform that helps the pre-trial process limit bail for minor crimes. The county government reviews the latest edition of its racial equity plan. Police are investigating an armed robbery reported near UNC campus on Saturday. Plus: a longstanding lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of UNC’s affirmative action policies is taken by the U.S. Supreme Court and Carolina men’s basketball suffers another blowout loss.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell helps finish out the week on Friday, January 21, with lots of local news. Orange County is preparing for another chance of snowfall Friday night. UNC’s student government organizes a distribution of thousands of N95 and KN95 masks to the campus. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger describes her experiences recovering from COVID-19. President Peter Hans shares his thoughts on the UNC System’s five-year strategic plan. Plus: UNC women’s basketball picks up another win ahead of a challenging stretch.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell shares the latest local news on Thursday, January 20. With chilly forecasts for overnight and Friday, how much winter weather is expected for Orange County? What should residents do to prepare and stay safe? Plus: local schools move to remote learning for Friday, the Durham County Detention Center weathers a COVID-19 outbreak and UNC women’s basketball prepares to host Virginia!

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell shares some of the top news after a long weekend on Tuesday, January 18. The snow and ice from the winter storm begins to clear across the region. COVID-19’s surge hits local K-12 schools and UNC campus, with the university’s student government stepping in to help protect public health. UNC men’s basketball prepares for a big match-up against Miami after a blowout win. Plus: Orange County’s courthouse and its staffing shortages are leading to a tedious backlog of important cases.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell finishes out a busy week by looking ahead to the weekend on Friday, January 14. Sunday threatens inclement winter weather for the region, including the possibility of freezing rain. Town and county services prepare to close for the storm and for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Chapel Hill Town Council reviews early concept plans for a new development near Southern Village. UNC’s David Routh shares the next goals of the Campaign for Carolina. Plus: winter sports kick into high gear, with UNC men’s basketball looking to keep consistency against Georgia Tech.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell takes you around the local news headlines on Thursday, January 13. COVID cases continue to skyrocket in North Carolina and healthcare leaders pen an open letter detailing their struggles. CHCCS experiences a shortage of bus drivers, leading to a few routes being underserved. The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership pushes for the town government to gain control of Franklin Street from the state. UNC’s Campaign for Carolina reaches its lofty fundraising goals. Plus: Gene Chizik is reintroduced as part of Carolina football’s staff and the community prepares for several MLK Day events.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell brings you recent news stories from around Orange County and the region on Wednesday, January 12. COVID-19 hospitalizations set a new record in North Carolina, with health officials continuing the call for people to get vaccinated. A mistake at an Orange County vaccination site leads to teenagers receiving weaker doses of the shot. A person experiencing homelessness dies outside of an IFC building, as the nonprofit shares its current struggles with capacity, staffing and winter weather. Plus: what are some of the silver linings of the pandemic for the local hotel industry?

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell details several local and state stories on Tuesday, January 11. North Carolina’s voting maps are declared as not unconstitutional, but may be headed to the state Supreme Court. Estes Drive is the site of another pedestrian collision. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools offers support to those processing a tragedy while also returning to classes amid omicron variant surges. A fugitive from a murder case in Chatham County is caught. Plus: Chapel Hill reports two separate gas leaks and Roy Williams returns to Kansas.

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97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell fills you in on a busy weekend in local news on Monday, January 10. UNC starts its spring semester with more than 1,000 initial positive COVID-19 cases. Acme staff on strike hold a rally and march to share their stories about the alleged toxic work environment. Demonstrations are held in Chapel Hill to advocate for voting rights and pedestrian safety. Plus: a UNC men’s basketball player wins Player of the Week, the gymnastics program posts a high-score and football hires back a familiar face.

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