What’s Trending: An Ode to the Humble Station Wagon

History Matters: Somewhere Out There Is A Beloved Prison

This week, Scott and Aaron reflect on the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. (If that was a “hated prison,” does that imply the existence of a non-hated prison?) Scott and Aaron also continue looking back at the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution – including two separate, very slightly different versions of the Declaration of Independence. (Aaron also reflects on how big the world really was in 1776, considering the communication and transportation technologies that were available at the time.) Also: Nelson Mandela is born, Ida B. Wells fights back against lynching, and a Hungarian architect creates an international sensation. 97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every Thursday morning, local historian Scott Washington joins 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck for “History Matters,” a look back at notable events and significant figures from this week in history, ranging from pioneers to writers to inventors to civil rights champions and more, locally, nationally, and beyond. Click here to listen back to the full History Matters archive [https://chapelboro.com/history-matters] – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” Thursday mornings at 8:30 on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live. You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments [https://open.spotify.com/show/11jUjaXgON7EZspQ2VsTI1], from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews. Listen: The post History Matters: Somewhere Out There Is A Beloved Prison [https://chapelboro.com/the-aaron-keck-show/history-matters/somewhere-out-there-is-a-beloved-prison] appeared first on Chapelboro.com [https://chapelboro.com].

What’s Trending: Camping Can Be Such A Drag

[https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/04155631/Whats-Treading-864x329-1.png] Today, Aaron wants to revisit an earlier Trends segment about the definition of “camp”: he might be ready to agree with Victor that proper camp can’t be done on purpose – if it’s done on purpose, we should call it ‘drag’ instead – but does that mean king-of-camp John Waters is best described as a director of drag instead of camp? Inquiring minds want to know. Want to know what folks are talking about on social media? Every weekday on 97.9 The Hill’s “This Morning with Aaron Keck,” Victor Lewis scours the Internet for the day’s top trending stories, from weird news to wacky crimes to odd business ventures and everything in between. Click here to listen back to all our past What’s Trending segments [https://chapelboro.com/category/the-aaron-keck-show/whats-trending-with-victor-lewis] – and tune in to “This Morning” on 97.9 The Hill every weekday at 7:45 to hear What’s Trending live on the air. You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments [https://open.spotify.com/show/11jUjaXgON7EZspQ2VsTI1], from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews. What’s Trending is made possible by Dynamic Electric. [https://www.dynamic-electric.com/] Listen now: The post What’s Trending: Camping Can Be Such A Drag [https://chapelboro.com/the-aaron-keck-show/whats-trending-with-victor-lewis/camping-can-be-such-a-drag] appeared first on Chapelboro.com [https://chapelboro.com].

On Air Today: ‘Hello, Dolly!’ at PlayMakers Repertory Company’s Summer Youth Conservatory

PlayMakers Repertory Company’s Summer Youth Conservatory is staging this year’s musical, “Hello Dolly”! The show opens Thursday, July 16, and runs through Sunday the 26th, with a cast and crew of local students. (It’s also a milestone show at PlayMakers: this is the 20th year of the Summer Youth Conservatory.) Get tickets and more info at PlayMakersRep.org. [https://playmakersrep.org/] Aaron welcomes Chelsea James, who’s directing this year’s show – and is no stranger to the Summer Youth Conservatory, having been an actor, assistant director, and producer in previous years as well. [https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/16064256/AK-Chelsea-James-071626-1024x768.jpg]https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/16064256/AK-Chelsea-James-071626-scaled.jpg 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 [https://chapelboro.com/on-air-today] – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” at 7:30 a.m. on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live. You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments [https://open.spotify.com/show/11jUjaXgON7EZspQ2VsTI1], from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews. Listen: The post On Air Today: ‘Hello, Dolly!’ at PlayMakers Repertory Company’s Summer Youth Conservatory [https://chapelboro.com/the-aaron-keck-show/on-air-today/hello-dolly-at-playmakers-repertory-companys-summer-youth-conservatory] appeared first on Chapelboro.com [https://chapelboro.com].

The Morning News: New School Board Member, CHCCS Dual Language, Cyclosporiasis

In today’s news: the Orange County School Board swears in a new member, while CHCCS discusses the future home of the district’s language programs. Also: ongoing conflict over Duke Energy’s proposed rate hikes; voluntary water restrictions in part of Chatham County; the arrival of cyclosporiasis in Orange County; a sewage spill in Hillsborough caused by a misplaced dig; academic honors for Tar Heel athletes; and the state of the 2026 midterm race in North Carolina, less than four months before Election Day. [https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/17090745/Morning-News.png]https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/17090745/Morning-News.png 97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck recaps the day’s news, from local government to business developments to UNC sports. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s daily news reports, [https://chapelboro.com/category/the-aaron-keck-show/6-o-clock-news] which you can hear live during “This Morning with Aaron Keck” every weekday from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. You can also listen to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” on Spotify. Click here to follow Aaron and listen to all his segments [https://open.spotify.com/show/11jUjaXgON7EZspQ2VsTI1], from local news to fun features to hard-hitting interviews. Listen: The post The Morning News: New School Board Member, CHCCS Dual Language, Cyclosporiasis [https://chapelboro.com/the-aaron-keck-show/6-o-clock-news/new-school-board-member-chccs-dual-language-cyclosporiasis] appeared first on Chapelboro.com [https://chapelboro.com].

Studio Sessions with School of Rock Chapel Hill: Farewell 2026 Seniors!

It’s time for another round of Studio Sessions with the School  [https://www.schoolofrock.com/locations/chapelhill]of Rock Chapel Hill [https://www.schoolofrock.com/locations/chapelhill], featuring three classic songs performed by the House Band! [https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/02/03105838/School-of-Rock-Sessions-Feature-Image-NEW.png] This month, Aaron welcomes seven members of the House Band: Joshua Bosworth, Brooke Briner, Ripley Florek, JJ Helbert-Meacham, Conlan Sharp, Grant Watson, and Katie Wilson. All seven are graduating seniors, moving on after many years with School of Rock – and many Studio Sessions performances on 97.9 The Hill. [https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/15190357/SORCH-071526-2-1024x771.jpg]https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/15190357/SORCH-071526-2-scaled.jpg All seven share their favorite memories from their time at School of Rock Chapel Hill – including memorable moments from past Studio Sessions, as well as the highlights from their recent summer tour – and discuss their plans for the future. [https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/15190436/JJ-SORCH-071526-1024x771.jpg]https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/15190436/JJ-SORCH-071526-scaled.jpg JJ Helbert-Meacham sings “Great Gig in the Sky.” School of Rock owner/GM David Joseph is also on hand (along with House Band director Danlee Gildersleeve) to share his own thoughts and reflections – and promote a couple upcoming shows, including a final House Band sendoff on Saturday, July 25, at Cat’s Cradle Back Room [https://catscradle.com/event/school-of-rock-chapel-hill-house-band-senior-sendoff/cats-cradle-back-room/carrboro-north-carolina/]. [https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/15190317/AK-SORCH-071526-1024x768.jpg]https://chapelboromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/15190317/AK-SORCH-071526-scaled.jpg Listen to their conversation, plus the band’s performance of Pink Floyd’s “Time” and “Great Gig in the Sky” along with a hard-rock cover of “Happy Together.” The post Studio Sessions with School of Rock Chapel Hill: Farewell 2026 Seniors! [https://chapelboro.com/town-square/live-local/studio-sessions-with-school-of-rock-chapel-hill-farewell-2026-seniors] appeared first on Chapelboro.com [https://chapelboro.com].