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.
Every other Monday, Aaron is joined at 8:30 a.m. by Tom Jensen, the director of Public Policy Polling, for a longstanding regular segment called “What We’re Thinking,” looking at recent survey numbers and discussing what they tell us about American public opinion – election-related and otherwise.
This week Tom talks with Andrew Stuckey, filling in for Aaron Keck. Tom discusses recent polls from Iowa and Pennsylvania that show incumbent republicans in deep holes already. He discusses historical cycles in electoral politics, why it might be good to regulate your political news intake, and more.
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What We're Thinking: Early Voting Turnout Great for Dems - Is The General Assembly In Play?Four days into early voting, the turnout has been fantastic for Democrats - so much that Tom thinks the State House could be in reach.
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What We're Thinking: A Democratic Senate Takeover? Maybe, Maybe NotLess than a month from the 2026 election, Tom and Aaron break down the Democrats' chances of retaking control of the U.S. Senate.
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What We're Thinking: Gas Prices and Blue WavesA month and a half from the 2026 midterm, Tom's seeing signs of a major Democratic wave election. (Why? Gas prices.)
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The Morning News: 'Hello, Dolly!' at PlayMakers, Animal Cruelty Charges in Siler CityIn today's news: PlayMakers Repertory Company's Summer Youth Conservatory celebrates its 20th year with the musical "Hello, Dolly!"
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What We're Thinking: Democrats Reclaiming the NC House?This week, Tom and Aaron discuss new numbers that suggest a 13-point swing toward Democrats in 2026 versus 2024.
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On Air Today: Public Policy Polling's Tom Jensen On Government Shutdown and MoreTom Jensen, the director of Public Policy Polling, spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, October 6. He discussed recent polling around the federal government shutdown, recent special election results and what to watch for as we near the 2026 midterms.

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Did the Debate Hurt Joe Biden? Local Pollster Says Not As Much As You May ThinkThink last week's debate hurt Joe Biden? Polls suggest the Trump-Biden race is exactly where it was before - and there's a clear reason.
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