Brighton McConnell

@brmcc.bsky.social

News Director for @wchlchapelboro.bsky.social in Chapel Hill, NC. Lots of local news posts, occasional sports and film posts. Maybe this app is The One™? (He/Him)

After two months of uncertainty around the future destination of its magnet Mandarin program, the Glenwood Elementary School community and CHCCS district have answers for one pathway — but questions remain for its other pathway. Here’s the latest:

Glenwood Elementary's Mandarin Dual Language Program Moving to Rashkis; Questions Remain Around World Language - Chapelboro.com

The school board voted to relocate one of Glenwood Elementary School's Mandarin learning tracks to Rashkis. The other could go to Scroggs.

chapelboro.com

Some really great work put into this oral history by Henry Taylor. One of those stories you learn about and wonder how it's faded into the background of history. The piece covers one of those reasons: improved fire safety infrastructure. Give it a read or listen!

97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com@wchlchapelboro.bsky.social · 6d ago

On Sunday, May 12, 1996, UNC’s Phi Gamma Delta house caught fire, leading to the deaths of five students. 97.9 The Hill’s Henry Taylor sat down with four people impacted by the fire to hear their stories from the day itself and the three decades since.

You and I — all of us taxpayers — funded this $533 million artillery plant outside of Dallas. It hasn’t produced a single usable shell. Yet the defense contractor, General Dynamics, has never been held publicly accountable. Nor has it had to pay a penny back… 1/

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It was a joy-filled day in Hillsborough on August 7, where a massive crowd enjoyed live music, food, and packed the inside of the renovated Eno Arts Mill — despite the somber reason behind its year-long closure. Check out our story on the reopening here:

'The Enduring Power of the Arts': Eno Arts Mill Reopens with Renovations a Year After Historic Flooding - Chapelboro.com

The Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough reopened with major renovations after Tropical Storm Chantal damaged much of the community arts space.

chapelboro.com

With FDOC less than a week away, Aaron Keck welcomed UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts to the studio for a wide-ranging conversation about the upcoming year, tackling issues ranging from future expansion to budget concerns to sports. Listen here 🎧:

On Air Today: Kicking Off 2026-27, with UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts - Chapelboro.com

Aaron welcomes UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts to the studio for a wide-ranging conversation ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

chapelboro.com

It was interesting to dive back into this project, all the way back to its beginning, with the hindsight of how it's played out. Check out the timeline, which includes new details learned from NC's pending lawsuit against VinFast ⬇️

97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com@wchlchapelboro.bsky.social · 2w ago

Years after the announcement of plans for Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast to establish a U.S. base in Chatham County, little progress has been made. Now, North Carolina is suing the company. Here’s a complete timeline:

Breadman’s is closed as of Wednesday, August 6, as customers found the doors padlocked by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. A notice posted on the door and dated for Wednesday said the unit is under a writ of possession. Here's what we know:

Chapel Hill's Breadman's Closed, Padlocked by Sheriff's Office After Defaulting Lease - Chapelboro.com

The Chapel Hill breakfast and lunch spot Breadman's was padlocked in the Elliott Square shopping center after defaulting on its lease.

chapelboro.com

A new NCAA rule gives Division I athletes five years of eligibility, leaving some UNC seniors to decide whether their bodies—and their future plans—can accommodate another season. Check out this story from Lauren Schutter:

UNC-Chapel Hill Student-Athletes Left 'Figuring it Out' Upon NCAA's 5-for-5 Ruling - Chapelboro.com

A new NCAA rule gives Division I athletes five years of eligibility, leaving some UNC student-athletes with a choice to make — or regrets.

chapelboro.com

I really had a fun time getting to know Tracy a little bit for this piece, both in her own words and from her peers! Lots of changes in Chatham County, but plenty of aspects of the local gov. are led by folks with lots of historical knowledge and local context. Tracy seems to be among the best.

97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com@wchlchapelboro.bsky.social · 4w ago

Chatham County’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department is guided by Tracy Burnett, who is one of the county’s longest tenured employees and whose leadership has ushered in a new era for recreation options. Learn more about her work here:

The Ackland Art Museum is exploring options for its first major upgrades in decades, with aspirations to significantly expand its footprint and create an arts-focused district along the western edge of UNC campus. Here are the details:

UNC's Ackland Art Museum Preparing for $70 Million Expansion, Earns Early Spending Authority for Project - Chapelboro.com

UNC's Ackland Art Museum is exploring options for its first significant upgrades in decades, with plans to more than double its footprint.

chapelboro.com