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Maggie: Hey guys, it is Wednesday, December 16. I am Maggie Rulli, and Channel One News starts right now.

Let's start off with headlines, and first up today: new numbers out show that more teens are graduating high school, and they are getting those diplomas at record-breaking rates. In fact, teens are tossing those caps up into the air at rates never seen before.

This is the fourth straight year that the high school graduation rate in the U.S. has improved, reaching an all-time high of 82 percent for the 2013–2014 school year. What is more, the gap between white students and black and Hispanic students receiving high school diplomas continues to narrow. And the data show gains are being made by students with disabilities and English-language learners.

The growth in graduation rates has been steady since states adopted a uniform way of tracking the rate five years ago, but some critics say that some states are using questionable strategies like multiple diploma tracks and second chances.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said the gains are valid and that "the hard work of teachers, administrators, students and their families has made these gains possible, and as a result many more students will have a better chance of going to college, getting a good job, owning their own home and supporting a family.”

Some of you might be unwrapping a drone this holiday season; about a million of them will be given as gifts. But that new toy will now come with a requirement to register with the government.

When the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA's, registration website goes live Monday, current drone owners will have two months to register. Newly purchased devices will have to be registered before taking first flight.

Scott Brenner: I think this does add a level of seriousness to the operation of the drone.

Maggie: The FAA hopes that this will prevent close calls in the air. A new report identified 158 incidents in the last two years where a drone came within 200 feet of another aircraft; 28 times the pilot had to take evasive maneuvers. But there has never been a confirmed collision between a drone and another aircraft.

The new registration system will require drone owners to give their name, mailing address and email and pay a $5 fee. The FAA is waiving the fee for the first 30 days of the program. All operators will be given an ID number to display on their drone.

While the drone industry has been largely supportive of the effort, the Academy of Model Aeronautics said it is, "disappointed with the new rule," adding, “it makes the registration process an unnecessary burden for our more than 185,000 members who have been operating safely for decades."

Last up, in the city of Flint, Michigan, there is so much lead in children's blood that a state of emergency has been declared, and it all stems from the city's water.

The mayor of Flint declared the state of emergency on Monday night, saying Flint needs federal help. Recent tests showed the city's water supply was causing elevated levels of lead in children. Residents were ordered to stop drinking the water.

Lead is a naturally occurring element found in the Earth's crust and can be toxic to humans, especially affecting the brain, often causing lower IQ and behavioral problems in children.

In April 2014 the city changed its water source and started drawing from the Flint River. Almost immediately, residents said problems began and reported that the water was cloudy and smelled funny. Now thousands of bottles of water have arrived in Flint as the city tries to figure out what to do next.

All right, coming up: some snowboarders say a ski resort is shredding their constitutional rights.

Maggie: Planning to hit the powder this winter? Well, the big question is skis or snowboard? Tom Hanson has more on the rivalry that is causing an icy feud between snowboarders and skiers.

Tom: There is a battle brewing between skiers and snowboarders, off the slopes and in the courtroom.

Jon Schofield: It's about access, it's about exclusion and it violates the law.

Tom: For more than 75 years, Alta, a ski resort in Utah known for its deep powder and beautiful scenery, has promoted itself as a skier's paradise. But it is also known as one of the three resorts in the U.S. that do not allow snowboarding, a policy some want to change.

Drew Hicken: Part of it is, you know, that's my public land as well; they operate on public property. I feel like I have a right to be able to go and use that mountain.

Tom: Unlike the other two resorts that ban boarders, Alta leases public land from the U.S. Forest Service. Rich Varga and Drew Hicken are two of the four snowboarders who filed suit. They say Alta's skiers-only policy is discriminatory and violates their constitutional rights.

Schofield: Under the law, if you have a policy that excludes one group of people because you don't like that group of people, that violates the equal protection clause.

Tom: Notorious for having a complicated relationship, some skiers perceive snowboarders as dangerous risk-takers, seen here in undercover video from the case.

YouTube video: I hate snowboarders.

YouTube video: Oh, you guys are the worst. I don't ever want to see a snowboarder near me.

Tom: Alta says it is banning snowboards, not the people who ride them. In a statement, the company says restrictions are "a business decision made in order to promote a unique recreational experience for its customers." It says the "equipment restrictions are not about banning people."

Aaron H. Caplan: This equal protection argument doesn't have a snowball’s chance. The equal protection clause is concerned about laws that treat people differently based on who they are, and it’s okay in most cases for the government to treat people differently based on what they do.

Tom: While snowboarders wait to see how the case unfolds, time will only tell if this policy is worth shredding.

Rich Varga: It is a passion; it is a way of life. To be excluded from the best powder up at Alta and not be able to be part of that is something that's very disappointing.

Tom: Tom Hanson, Channel One News.

Maggie: So what is your winter sport? Well, we have got a personality quiz and profile over at that will tell you which winter sport is calling your name.

All right, up next, we check out an event that is spreading some pretty awesome holiday cheer.

Maggie: For many, the holiday season is a cheerful time, but for military families who have lost someone to war, it can also be a difficult time. But Arielle, you have a story about an annual event that is trying to bring back some of that cheer.

Arielle: Yeah, Maggie, it is called the Snowball Express, and it is giving a hero's welcome for the ones our heroes left behind.

It is a hero's welcome for these very special guests, complete with drums, cheers and salutes. Every December hundreds of children fly to Dallas, Texas, from around the country for a few days of holiday fun on the Snowball Express. It is a special getaway for the sons and daughters of military heroes that lost their lives.

Leslie Ponder: Very humbled. Very grateful.

Arielle: Leslie Ponder has been bringing her two daughters here for the past 10 years.

Samantha Ponder: I would be a very different person without Snowball; I can honestly say that.

Arielle: Samantha was just seven years old when her dad, Army Master Sergeant James Ponder, was killed in Afghanistan.

Samantha: If you've ever heard of the movie Lone Survivor, that was the mission that he was on.

Arielle: The movie Lone Survivor told the story of Operation Red Wings, which Samantha's dad was a part of.

Leslie: We're with other families that understand our loss, that understand exactly what we're going through.

Arielle: Faith Johnson also lost her father when she was seven. He served in the Army.

Faith Johnson: Honestly, describing his personality, he was one of the most phenomenal people I have ever met in my life. He was generous, and he was just — he was a great person.  

Arielle: Many of the children on the Snowball Express never met their parents, but Faith says this event is a way to positively reflect on the past.

Faith: It's awesome to see them have a moment where they can let go of that; they can forget that they never met one of their parents. And they can just honor the sacrifice, and honor what they did for their country.  

Arielle: This is the 10th anniversary of the Snowball Express, a getaway that means the world for the children of heroes.

Samantha: Being able to come together with these kids is a blessing and something I'm very thankful for.

Faith: Snowball just wants to help you have fun, have fun with people who have experienced the same thing that you have, and it's just, it’s really awesome to have other people that understand you, that have walked in your shoes.

Arielle: A time to come together for the true gift of healing this holiday season. Arielle Hixson, Channel One News.

Maggie: What a great way to give back. Love that.

All right, guys, that is going to do it for us. Go have an awesome day, and we cannot wait to see you tomorrow.

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