Weekly wrap: Senate debates, Common Core, drones, coal ash

The leading Republican candidates for U.S. Senate got two chances this week to explain why voters should choose them in next month's primary to face Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan in the fall.

A legislative study committee signed off on a plan to replace the Common Core standards for English and math with new standards for North Carolina public schools. Another study committee approved proposed regulations for commercial operation of drone aircraft in the state.

A Duke Energy executive told lawmakers that digging up all of the coal ash at its 33 ash ponds statewide and disposing it in lined landfills would cost $6 million to $8 million, which is at least three times the cost of letting the utility simply cover the ponds with a membrane and soil.