WCHL’s AM transmitter and additional equipment were kept in the basement of 1721 East Franklin Street. Because floodwaters breached a berm, the water pooled and remained at the site, destroying everything. (Photo by the Chapel Hill Media Group.)

97.9 The Hill WCHL General Manager Aubrey Williams spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, August 4. She discussed the damage the station sustained during the flooding after Tropical Depression Chantal. She told about the location, how it flooded, and the impact of the equipment damaged. She also discussed a GoFundMe that allows listeners to help cover the cost of replacing the equipment lost at the transmitter site. Find the WCHL go fund me here.

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford - September News Roundup
This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners, and currently serves as trustee for Central Carolina Community College. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate.
On the Porch: Mayor Kyle Shipp and Tami Schwerin - Sculpture Celebration at The Plant
This Week: Tami Schwerin is a re-developer of The Plant, taking a cold-war industrial plant and creating a community hub of food, beverage and experiences. Her past experience includes founding a local food, renewable energy and cultural non-profit; Abundance NC. Before that she helped build Chatham Marketplace, a local co-op grocery store. She has served on art and environmental boards of directors. She traveled the world selling software in her younger years and renovated several old broken-down houses. Tami loves a challenge and creating a world that she wants to live in. She grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and loves the south and Pittsboro.  Kyle Shipp serves as the Mayor of Pittsboro, North Carolina, where he focuses on responsible growth, infrastructure, and transparent governance. He previously served as a Town Commissioner and Planning Board member. In his full-time role, Kyle works as an engineer in the data center industry, specializing in industrial control systems. He also serves as Board Chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina, supporting youth development across the region. With a background in engineering and a passion for community service, Kyle works to ensure Pittsboro grows in a way that reflects its values and long-term vision.
On the Porch: Ellen Brown - Myths about Money
This Week: Ellen Brown is an attorney and author of thirteen books and hundreds of articles (all on her blog at http://EllenBrown.com). Her titles include the bestselling "Web of Debt" and "Nature's Pharmacy," co-authored with Dr. Lynne Walker, along with "The Public Bank Solution" and her latest book "Banking on the People."  She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1967 and from UCLA Law School in 1977; practiced law for ten years in Los Angeles; then spent 11 years abroad, in Kenya, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, with her husband and two children. She co-founded and chaired of the Public Banking Institute from which she retired in Spring of 2025 
On the Porch: Adam Edelen - Bringing the Promise of Renewable Energy to Rural America
This Week: Adam Edelen is a dynamic leader with a demonstrated record of success in both the private and public sectors. As founder and CEO of Edelen Renewables, he has garnered significant attention for forming partnerships to pioneer coal-to-solar projects and other green energy developments in struggling energy communities. His firm’s unique Social Impact Solar® approach reflects a deep commitment to economic revitalization and environmental sustainability.
On the Porch: Frank White - Space Philosopher
This Week: Frank White is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a Rhodes Scholar. He earned an M.Phil. in Politics from Oxford University. Frank’s book, The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, is considered by many to be a seminal work in the field of space studies. He has authored or co-authored additional books on a wide range of topics, including SETI, AI, and climate change. Frank is also co-executive editor of Sentient Media, LLC, President and Board Chair of the Human Space Program, and a Professor at Kepler Space University.
On the Porch: Rebecca Dickenson - Leading the Chatham Chamber of Commerce
This Week: Rebecca Dickenson is President & CEO of The Chatham Chamber, where she is leading a bold new chapter focused on business growth, regional collaboration, and strategic advocacy. With a strong background in chamber leadership and a track record of building high-impact partnerships, Rebecca works to connect local businesses with the opportunities, resources, and relationships they need to succeed. A UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and lifelong North Carolinian, she brings a values-driven, results-oriented approach to advancing Chatham County’s role in the Triangle’s dynamic economic landscape.
Historic Flooding in Chapel Hill Damaged WCHL's AM Equipment. Here's How to Still Listen
Among the many Orange County community members who suffered flood damage from Sunday night's intense flooding is WCHL and its AM operations.
On the Porch: Steve Rao - Asian-American Leader
This Week: Steve Sandeep Rao, a native of Charleston WV, Steve serves as an At Large Council Member for the Town of Morrisville and served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2015-2017. He served as a Senior Business Development Executive at Alphanumeric Systems, a global tech company headquartered in Raleigh from January 2011 to May 2020 and now serves as Of Counsel and Adviser to State Federal Strategies, where he advises Technology Companies on State and Local Government Business Development Strategy. Council Member Rao is the longest serving Asian-American elected official in NC
On the Porch: Cal Cunningham - Lifetime Tar Heel
This Week: Cal Cunningham is founder of Cunningham Law, PLLC, where he represents clients in real estate development and complex civil litigation. He is also manager of Axiom Property Development, LLC, to deliver workforce-affordable housing in the Triangle. Through Cunningham Capital, LLC, Cal engages in venture capital investment, is a board member of Archaius, Inc. (drone technology) and a member of the Charlotte Angel Fund. Cal also currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve, most recently as deputy commander of a legal detachment. He is also a veteran of tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2020, Cunningham was the Democratic Nominee for United States Senate in North Carolina.
On the Porch: Dr. Henry McKoy - NC to DC for the Good of All
This Week: Dr. Henry C. McKoy, Jr. is a seasoned professional in business, community and economic development, policy, government, finance, energy, philanthropy and the academic worlds. He held two Senior Presidential appointments in the administration of President Joseph Biden from 2022-2025 following a distinguished career in finance, investing, business, higher education, and public service. Dr. McKoy served as the founding Director of the U.S. Office of State and Community Energy Programs (2022-2024) at the United States Department of Energy where his team managed 28 programs totaling $16 billion in funding, investing in all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and Washington, DC, while touching 250 million Americans.
›