* The state is getting a $17 million federal grant to provide government health insurance to low-income working parents.

Adults who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid will be able to enroll in a health insurance plan with limited benefits.

The grant, which will cover a year of planning and four years of care, is enough to pay for a test program for about 1,500 families. The idea is that after a few years of offering the insurance on a small scale, the state could apply for federal permission to expand the insurance plan statewide.

If Congress overhauls health insurance nationwide, the state's test program could become obsolete. But planners did not want to wait for federal action.

"It's a starting point," said Pam Silberman, president of the N.C. Institute of Medicine. Two institute committees have recommended this kind of health insurance expansion, and the institute helped the state with its application. (N&O)

* Gov. Beverly Perdue said Monday she is continuing to work with Charlotte-area leaders to find a way to finish Interstate 485, saying it "makes no sense that the road dead-ends."

Completing the outer belt has been a frequent talking point — and source of angst for some residents — since the governor promised in February to start construction on the last leg of the loop by the end of the year. Recently, many local leaders have resisted a state proposal to start working on the loop by shifting money away from a planned widening of Independence Boulevard.

Perdue said she would understand if local leaders decided not to move ahead with completing I-485 because it would take money away from the Independence project. "(But) I'm still really working aggressively trying to figure out a way that we can have 485," she said.

Perdue's visit to Charlotte comes as her popularity in the state's largest city is lagging. She was greeted warmly in stops to a school and a new small business. (Char-O)