97.9 The Hill’s broadcast of the Chatham County Roundup is sponsored by Chatham County’s own Rocky River Hemp, your local source for regeneratively grown hemp CBD and THC products like oils, salves, gummies, seltzers, facial serums and dog treats.
Each week, News on The Hill engages in conversation with Chatham County leaders for the Chatham County Roundup. Featuring Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp, Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard, On The Porch host and real estate expert, Randy Voller, local government officials and other community members, the segment spotlights the latest news from around the region.
January 12, 2021: Chatham County Vaccination and Representation
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell to discuss what the local government faces as it enters 2021. It includes better addressing racial inequities in the county and the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination effort to elderly residents.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
January 5, 2021: High School Sports and Top Stories of 2020
97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell is joined by Chapel Fowler, sports report for the Chatham News + Record, to discuss high school basketball season getting underway. Plus: what were the top stories from Chatham County in 2020?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
December 29, 2020: Accomplishments and Anticipations
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard looks back at a year full of challenges and accomplishments – and looks ahead to 2021.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
December 22, 2020: Vaccinations
Lars Dolder of the Chatham News + Record talks about being present when the first Covid vaccinations were administered at the Chatham hospital.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Catching Up With Chatham
Join Aaron Keck every Tuesday afternoon for Chatham County Roundup, a recurring series that shines the spotlight on Chatham County through engaging discussions and interviews with locals, newsmakers, officials and more. This week on Chatham County Roundup, join Aaron...
December 15, 2020: Hacks and Health
Returning for the first time since the election, newly-reelected County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses the county’s recent network outage.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: The Return of High School Sports
Join Aaron Keck every Tuesday afternoon for Chatham County Roundup, a recurring series that shines the spotlight on Chatham County through engaging discussions and interviews with locals, newsmakers, officials and more. This week on Chatham County Roundup, join Aaron...
November 24, 2020: High School Sports
Aaron chats with Chatham News + Record sports reporter Chapel Fowler about the return of some high-school sports – and a possible delay on others.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Election Recap and Government Updates
Join Aaron Keck every Tuesday afternoon for Chatham County Roundup, a recurring series that shines the spotlight on Chatham County through engaging discussions and interviews with locals, newsmakers, officials and more. This week on Chatham County Roundup, join Aaron...
November 10, 2020: Recapping the Election
Bill Horner of the Chatham News + Record recaps the election results – with high voter turnout and a milestone win for one local candidate.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
November 3, 2020: Big Turnout In Chatham
Lars Dolder of the Chatham News + Record discusses high early-voting turnout, what he’s heard from voters, and which local races he’s watching.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Hannah McClellan, Election News and Education Development
Join Aaron Keck every Tuesday afternoon for Chatham County Roundup, a recurring series that shines the spotlight on Chatham County through engaging discussions and interviews with locals, newsmakers, officials and more. This week on Chatham County Roundup, join Aaron...
October 27, 2020: Elections, Protests, and Schools
Chatham News + Record reporter Hannah McClellan recaps the latest news on the upcoming election, ongoing Confederate protests, and local schools.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Melissa Driver Beard and CORA Food Pantry
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
October 20, 2020: CORA Food Pantry
Aaron talks with Melissa Driver Beard, the executive director of the CORA Food Pantry – whose “Hunger Heroes Food Drive” is ongoing through October.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Chip Pate and ‘ChathamLife’
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
October 13, 2020: Chatham Life
Chip Pate is the “Community Publications Guru” for the Chatham News + Record! He joins Aaron to discuss a new magazine called “Chatham Life.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
October 6, 2020: Early Voting
Chatham County spokesperson Kara Dudley discusses what you need to know about the 2020 election, including early voting in Chatham.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
September 29, 2020: 28 Pages
Bill Horner of the Chatham News + Record recaps this week’s coverage – including schools, elections, guns, and several fascinating local people.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Chapel Fowler and Local Sports
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
September 22, 2020: Superfans and Snappers
Chatham News + Record sports reporter Chapel Fowler discusses a Tar Heel baseball superfan and a Northwood HS football player who’s headed to FSU.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Internet Service, Elections and Census Updates
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
September 15, 2020: Schools, Broadband, and the Census
Making her last appearance until after the election, County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses Covid-19, schools, broadband access, and the Census.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
September 8, 2020: Chatham County Election Coverage
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Catching Up and Being Prepared
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
September 1, 2020: Hurricanes, Covid, and Racism
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses hurricane preparedness, systemic racism, Covid-19, and an upcoming board meeting this Thursday.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Patsy Montesinos and ‘La Voz de Chatham’
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
August 25, 2020: “La Voz de Chatham”
Aaron chats with Patsy Montesinos, a UNC student who’s working on “La Voz de Chatham,” a journalism project with the Chatham News + Record.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Ongoing Impact and New Information
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
August 18, 2020: Williams Corner, Restorative Justice
County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses the fight against Covid-19, a development proposal that’s on hold, and an upcoming event on racial justice.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
August 11, 2020: RJI Student Innovation Fellowship
Aaron chats with Caroline Watkins, who’s been working on digital media with the Chatham News + Record as part of a national fellowship program.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Schools, Hurricanes and Elections
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
August 4, 2020: Hurricanes and Schools
County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses hurricane readiness and the latest on Covid-19 – including concerns about opening (or closing) schools.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
July 28, 2020: Plan B, Plan C, and Chatham Schools
Chatham News + Record education reporter Hannah McClellan discusses Chatham County Schools’ “Plan C” decision to begin the school year remote-only.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Making Decisions
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
July 21, 2020: Meetings and Schools
County Commissioner Karen Howard reflects on the difficulties of holding board meetings in person – and the difficulties of holding school in person too.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
July 14, 2020: “La Voz de Chatham”
Bill Horner of the Chatham News + Record discusses a grant for a new project, “La Voz de Chatham,” covering Covid’s impact on the Latinx community.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
July 7, 2020: Safe and Sane
County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses an upcoming conversation on racial justice – and how to stay both safe and sane in the fight against Covid-19.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
June 30, 2020: Sports Reporting in a Pandemic
How can you report on sports with no games? Chapel Fowler of the Chatham News + Record discusses summer practices and the antiracism movement.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Continuing to Adapt
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
June 23, 2020: Fighting Covid, Fighting Racism
County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses ongoing conversations about face-mask requirements, keeping people connected, and reforming criminal justice.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Real Estate and COVID-19
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
June 16, 2020: Real Estate
Bill Horner of the Chatham News + Record discusses Chatham County’s real estate market – surprisingly resilient, even in the midst of Covid-19.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Chatham and The Movement
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
June 9, 2020: Addressing Systemic Racism
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard reflects on systemic racism in America, in policing and in society at large – and what can be done about it.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
June 2, 2020: Journalism and Protests
Zach Horner of the Chatham News + Record discusses the local response to George Floyd’s murder, and the targeting of journalists in the response to protests.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Talking Taxes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
May 26, 2020: Phases, Taxes, and Budgets
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses budget talks – and why Chatham’s over-reliance on property taxes may have a silver lining.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
May 19, 2020: Child Abuse
Reports of child abuse spiked 31 percent in Chatham County in 2019. Zachary Horner of the Chatham News + Record discusses his 2-part series on the topic.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: A Human Response
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
May 12, 2020: Corporate Citizenship
County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses a recent Covid-19 outbreak at a chicken processing plant – and what duties companies have to protect workers.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
May 5, 2020: “Neighbor 2 Neighbor”
Bill Horner of the Chatham News + Record discusses a new initiative, “Neighbor 2 Neighbor,” connecting people in need with folks who can help.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
April 28, 2020: Remote Meetings
County Commissioner Karen Howard has the latest on Covid-19, including new county meeting procedures – as well as good news and positive stories.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
April 21, 2020: Covid-19…and the President
Bill Horner of the Chatham News + Record discusses the latest local Covid-19 news, and a new report on the impact of the President’s attacks on the media.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
April 14, 2020: Helping Each Other
County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses the Covid-19 outbreak at the Laurels, how the county is conducting meetings, and the biggest unspoken challenge.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: One Step at a Time
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
April 7, 2020: Covid-19 and Schools
Zachary Horner of the Chatham News + Record discusses Covid-19’s impact on local schools – and what people are doing to step up and help those in need.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Chatham, COVID-19 and The Census
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
March 31, 2020: Responding To A Virus…And The Census
County Commissioner Karen Howard updates us on Chatham’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, and reminds us of the importance of the U.S. Census.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
March 17, 2020: The Tier System
Bill Horner and Adrianne Cleven discuss a series in the Chatham News & Record on the “tier system” for distributing state funds – and how it hurts some poor communities.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: The Heart of the Matter
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
March 10, 2020: Race Relations
Randall Rigsbee of the Chatham News & Record discusses a two-part series he wrote on race relations in Chatham County.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
March 3, 2020: Malt Beverages and Sales Taxes
On primary election day, County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses a pair of ballot referendums – and the issues raised at a recent legislative breakfast.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Taxes on the Ballot
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
February 25, 2020: Quarter-Cent Sales Tax
Zach Horner of the Chatham News & Record discusses the referendum for a quarter-cent sales tax increase, on the ballot for the 2020 primary.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Making The News
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
February 4, 2020: Whither Newspapers?
Bill Horner of the Chatham News and Record discusses the state of the newspaper industry – and the state of local news more broadly.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: The Budget, The Census and Local Government
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
January 28, 2020: The Budget and the Census
County Commissioner Karen Howard discusses outreach plans for the 2020 census – and current plans for Chatham County’s budget.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Chatham County Roundup: Teen Mental Health
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
January 21, 2020: Teen Mental Health
Zach Horner of the Chatham News and Record stops by to discuss his podcast and an upcoming forum on teen mental health in Chatham County.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
December 17, 2019: Last Commissioners Meeting
WCHL news director Brighton McConnell breaks down this week’s Chatham County Commissioners meeting – their last one for 2019.
December 10, 2019: The ChatCast
Aaron is joined by Zach Horner of the Chatham News & Record and UNC senior Adrienne Cleven, who’ve collaborated on a podcast with a focus on teen mental health.
December 3, 2019: The Statue…and Growth
County Commissioner Karen Howard stops by (on her way to DC!) with an update on the Confederate statue – and the newly released State of the County report.
November 19, 2019: CORA Food Pantry
20,000 Chatham County residents experience food insecurity, and the need only goes up during the holidays. Aaron chats with Melissa Beard of the CORA Food Pantry about how we can help.
November 5, 2019: CCCC
Aaron is joined by CCCC’s Chatham County provost Mark Hall with an update on the Chatham Promise program and other initiatives including a new health-sciences building.
October 29, 2019: Chatham 411
The Chatham News & Record and the Chatham EDC are working together on a new publication, “Chatham 411,” compiling lots of information about Chatham County life.
October 22, 2019: Statues And Elections
Zach Horner of the Chatham News and Record stops by with an update on local elections in Pittsboro and Siler City – and where things stand on Pittsboro’s Confederate statue.
October 15, 2019: Difficult Conversations
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard offers an update on the Confederate statue controversy – and insights into how to handle difficult conversations.
September 24, 2019: Water and Grocery Bags
Pittsboro Mayor Cindy Perry discusses this week’s town board meeting, which included a long discussion of water quality – and how to promote reusable grocery bags.
September 17, 2019: Chatham’s Lynching History
Aaron is joined by Bill Horner of the Chatham News & Record, who’s written a two-part longform piece on the ongoing effort to memorialize lynching victims.
September 10, 2019: Poverty and Public Schools
Bill Horner of the Chatham News & Record, UNC’s Eric Ferkenhoff, and Tych Cowdin of CIS Chatham join Aaron to discuss “The Impact of Poverty on Public Education.”
September 3, 2019: Preparing For Dorian
Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard grew up in the Bahamas, which just got hit hard by Hurricane Dorian; she joins Aaron to discuss local preparation for the storm (among other issues).
August 20, 2019: Pittsboro’s Statue
Zachary Horner from the Chatham News and Record joins Aaron for a discussion about county commissioners’ decision to move the Confederate statue in Pittsboro.
August 13, 2019: Pittsboro
Aaron’s joined by Pittsboro Mayor Cindy Perry for an update on town government – with special emphasis on concerns about chemicals in the area drinking water.
August 6, 2019: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault
Aaron is joined by Renita Foxx of Chatham Family Violence Prevention Services and Tamsey Hill of Second Bloom; they’ve teamed up to launch a new help line for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
July 30, 2019: Ayurveda
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Tim Keim, a yoga therapist and Ayurvedic Health Counselor.
July 9, 2019: Chatham Drug Free
Aaron and Aaron are joined by George Greger-Holt of Chatham Drug Free to discuss the ongoing issue of drug abuse – and prevention efforts – in the community.
June 18, 2019: The Statue (And Traffic)
Discussing Pittsboro’s Confederate statue, Aaron and Aaron are eventually joined by Chatham County Commissioner Jim Crawford (who’s stuck in traffic).
June 11, 2019: Go Conscious Earth
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Godi Godar and Candor Plaza of Go Conscious Earth, which works to preserve rainforests and provide clean water to residents in Godi’s native DRC.
June 4, 2019: Juneteenth
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Del Turner, who’s organizing Chatham County’s Juneteenth celebration.
May 21, 2019: Roy Underhill
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Pittsboro’s Roy Underhill, the host of “The Woodwright’s Shop” on PBS – discussing not only his work, but some classic 1930s-era photos by Dorothea Lange.
May 7, 2019: Chatham For All
Following another discussion of Pittsboro’s Confederate statue at this week’s Chatham Commissioners meeting, Aaron and Aaron are joined by Mark Barroso of Chatham For All.
April 30, 2019: The Opioid Crisis
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Zach Horner of the Chatham News and Record, to discuss his ongoing series on the opioid crisis.
April 23, 2019: The Sheriff And The Special Olympics
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson for a discussion on community policing and the most important role of a sheriff. (It’s probably not what you think.)
April 16, 2019: Statues And Scandals
Aaron and Aaron are joined by former Pittsboro mayor Randy Voller for a discussion of the town’s Confederate statue…and Chatham’s role in the ongoing Greg Lindberg bribery scandal.
April 9, 2019: CCCC
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Mark Hall, provost at Central Carolina Community College.
April 2, 2019: Chatham Cider Works
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Maureen Ahmad of Chatham Cider Works.
March 26, 2019: Karen Howard
This week, Aaron and Aaron are joined by Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard for a discussion on social and economic justice. (And transit!)
March 19, 2019: Chatham Habitat
Rolling solo this week, Aaron and Aaron talk affordable housing – and a cool Habitat For Humanity project in Pittsboro called Robert’s Run.
March 12, 2019: Scoring And Schools
Two guests this week: Chatham County Schools superintendent Dr. Derrick Jordan and Horton Middle School basketball star Te’Keyah Bland, who just reached the 1000-point milestone for her middle-school career.
March 5, 2019: Taxes, Planning, And Trees
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Jon Spoon, director of the Small Business Center at Chatham County Community College.
Chatham County Roundup: Chatham Mills & ‘Millworker’
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
February 26, 2019: The Millworker
Aaron and Aaron are joined by lawyer/storyteller/actress Brenda White, who shares her memories of a theatrical production to tell the story of Chatham Mills and the people who worked there.
February 19, 2019: Doing Right By Our Kids
This week’s guest is Dr. Amy Tiemann, co-author of Doing Right By Our Kids, a book about how to instill the values of safety in our kids, our teachers, our coaches, and ourselves.
February 12, 2018: Remembering History, Fighting ICE
Aaron and Aaron have two guests this week: actor/playwright Mike Wiley, who’s got several performances later this month, and Ilana Dubester of the Hispanic Liaison, who’s getting the word out about how we can help the local immigrant community in the wake of recent ICE raids.
February 5, 2019: Carolina Tiger Rescue
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Katie Cannon of Carolina Tiger Rescue for a look into one of Chatham County’s coolest spots.
January 29, 2019: HR Made Fun!
With tax season on the horizon, Aaron and Aaron welcome HR and payroll specialist Samantha Chauveau.
January 22, 2019: Chatham Arts Council
This week’s guest is Cheryl Chamblee, executive director of the Chatham Arts Council!
Chatham County Roundup: Pittsboro’s Growth Spurt
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
January 15, 2019: Mayor Perry
Pittsboro Mayor Cindy Perry joins Aaron and Aaron to discuss Chatham Park, Pittsboro’s role in fighting climate change, and more.
January 8, 2019: Life & Basketball
We’re joined by longtime Chatham basketball coach John Berry, author of the book “Life and Basketball.”
Chatham County Roundup: Chatham News + Record
Bill Horner III, co-owner of the Chatham News + Record, is no stranger to the inner workings of local news. As former publisher for the Sanford Herald, Horner has the experience to make the most of the News + Record's position and usher in a new era of Chatham County...
December 11, 2018: Chatham News + Record
This week’s guest is Bill Horner III, co-owner of the Chatham News + Record.
November 27, 2018: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – Click to Listen
Reflecting on National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month with Dennis Streets, executive director of the Chatham County Council on Aging.
November 13, 2018: Gary Phillips – Click to Listen
Our special guest this week is longtime Chatham County advocate Gary Phillips – who’s also Carrboro’s poet laureate.
October 16, 2018: Comprehensive Plan – Click to Listen
Aaron and Aaron are joined by Chatham Planning Board member Jon Spoon, to discuss the county’s new comprehensive plan – and how it might be affected by the upcoming midterm election.
October 2, 2018: Mark Twain – Click to Listen
Don McNeill is performing his one-man show about Mark Twain later this month in Pittsboro. He joins Aaron and Aaron (as Mark Twain) to discuss his life and the show.
September 18, 2018: Randy Voller – Click to Listen
With a big election coming, Aaron and Aaron are joined by former Pittsboro mayor Randy Voller, who now heads up the NC Democratic Party’s labor caucus.
September 4, 2018: Abundance! Click to Listen
We launch our newest feature on the Aaron Keck Show with a terrific special guest: Tami Schwerin of the Abundance Foundation, talking about the annual Pepper Fest!
