PROVIDENCE – The mayors of four Rhode Island cities joined several state legislators and a coalition of advocates last week in calling for the passage of legislation aimed at freeing Rhode Islanders from a cycle of debt caused by ultra-high-interest payday loans. more

BOSTON – Massachusetts lost a bid for review of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission decision renewing the license of Entergy Corp.’s Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth, Bloomberg News reported. more

BRISTOL – Roger Williams University School of Law now will offer students the option to earn a three-year J.D. degree on an accelerated 2.5 years, or a more flexible four-year track. more

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced last week that as part of a nationwide settlement against the drug manufacturer Amgen Inc., the state will receive $54,248. more

BOSTON – A Texas company will pay Massachusetts $996,000 as part of a $48 million settlement, to resolve allegations it charged MassHealth for an unapproved, ineffective ointment used to treat wounds, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced last week. more

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island will receive roughly $73,000 as part of a settlement with Skechers USA Inc. over misleading advertising related to athletic shoes, according to Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin. more

PROVIDENCE – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis last week warned Rhode Island LLCs to be wary of a direct-mail solicitation from an nonexistent entity calling itself “Rhode Island Corporate Compliance.” The latest notice comes just two months after the company mailed a similar letter to for-profit corporations. more

BOSTON – An auto-insurance company has agreed to pay more than $200,000 to settle allegations that it overcharged consumers by failing to reduce premiums as drivers gained additional years of driving experience, Attorney General Martha Coakley said. more

As part of its 25/25 initiative, Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP recently donated 25 tickets to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art to the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket. more

PROVIDENCE – The owner of a local tax-preparation firm has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for under-reporting more than $1 million in income and failing to pay nearly $400,000 in federal taxes, The Associated Press reported last week. more