The state has released school letter grades. In the Burke County Public Schools System, 24 schools eligible for a letter grade earned grades of C or better. In Burke County Public Schools, the cohort high school graduation rate is 91.1 percent, one percentage higher than last year. Burke Middle College continues to have a 100-percent graduation rate. Patton and Draughn both received a greater than 95 percent graduation rate, while Freedom's graduation rate is 92.5 percent and East Burke's is 89. Burke Middle College and Rutherford College Elementary achieved the highest letter grade - an A. That A for Burke Middle was a perfect 100 score and Rutherford College received and A + NG distinction - the highest awarded on the letter grade scale. NG designates "no gaps" between the different socio-economic subgrades. In addition to the two A's, seven district schools achieved a B performance grade.

The Governor's Office announced Monday that Corning Optical Communications LLC will expand operations at operations in Hickory and Winston-Salem. The company plans to add 205 jobs and invest nearly $83.5 million in the state over the next 5 years. Corning Optical Communications is a worldwide provider of fiber optic communications solutions for voice, data and video networks. Corning's expansion add 105 people at its Hickory plant and 100 employees in Winston-Salem. While compensation will vary by position, the average yearly salary of Corning's new positions will be $58,151.