Here are some of the stories we're following today:
NC Public Schools: Student Gains Slim, Graduation Rate Up
More children are graduating North Carolina public schools, but only about a third of the 1.6 million students are on track with gaining the knowledge they'll need for the rest of their lives.
The State Board of Education on Wednesday released data for the school year that ended in May showing how students and schools have performed.
A little more than four out of 10 students showed on reading and math tests that their learning was on pace for their grade level. About a third are on pace for college and career readiness. Both results have improved slightly in recent years.
About 85 percent of students who entered high school finished in four years, a graduation rate school officials praised as the highest in state history.
Consortium Receives $2.6M Grant For Health Care Navigation
A group of 14 health care, social service and legal aid organizations has received more than $2.6 million in federal funding to help North Carolina residents sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
Officials with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Wednesday that the N.C. Navigator Consortium will receive the grant to help consumers sign up during the open enrollment period for 2015-2016.
Legal Aid of North Carolina will administer the grant. Officials say the grant will fund about 250 navigators who will help consumers determine which plan works best for them, apply for financial help and complete their enrollment.
Study Finds Radioactive Elements In Coal Ash
Radioactive contaminants have been found in coal ash, according to a new Duke University study. Testing revealed five times more radioactivity in coal ash than in normal soil.
The study also found that the ash was ten time more radioactive than coal itself.
The Appalachian area in North Carolina is part of one of three major U.S. coal-producing basins found to have higher levels of radioactivity.
The finding raises concerns about the environmental and human health risks posed by radioactivity in addition to the selenium and arsenic that are already of concern. Coal ash is currently unregulated and is stored in coal-fired power plants' holding ponds and landfills nationwide.
NC Lawmakers Considering Whether To Have Single March Primary For All Races
North Carolina legislators are considering whether to move all primary elections next year to March instead of just the presidential primaries.
Two key Republican lawmakers confirmed Wednesday to The Associated Press there are discussions on whether all primaries should be held March 15. Primaries for state races— including those for governor, Congress and the legislature — are currently set for May.
Republican leaders decided in 2013 to move up the presidential primary so state voters could have more influence on choosing nominees.
Separate elections also would cost several million dollars more to operate.
2 Killed When Small Plane Crashes Near Lake In Davie County
Two people have been killed in the crash of a small plane in Davie County.
Multiple media outlets report the aircraft went down Wednesday near Twin Lakes Airport southwest of Advance.
Davie County Fire Marshal Jerry Myers said the plane crashed about 2:30 p.m. Emergency officials have identified the victims as out-of-state residents, but their names haven't been released pending notification of family members.
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