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

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island last week became the latest state to roll back criminal penalties for minor marijuana possession, replacing the threat of jail time for those caught with pot with something akin to a traffic citation, The Associated Press reported. more

QUINCY, Mass. – The Arbella Insurance Foundation last week announced that the fifth annual Let’s Drive Out Hunger raised $149,617 – more than double the previous year’s total of $62,775. more

BOSTON – Four auto-insurance companies have settled allegations that they overcharged consumers relating to auto-insurance surcharges that were overturned by the Mass. Board of Appeals or otherwise removed from driving records, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced last week. more

BOSTON – The Boston Foundation released a report showing that Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s administration’s investments in the life sciences sector are making a “measurable impact on job creation and spurring economic growth” throughout Massachusetts. more

Yardney Technical Products sends its lithium-ion batteries far and wide, including two that landed on Mars in August 2012 on NASA’s Curiosity rover. more

When it comes to finding a great name for a business, brand, product or service, it really comes down to this: A good name should make someone smile or nod, not scratch their head in confusion. more

PROVIDENCE – The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical School broke ground on the Paul W. Crowley East Bay Campus, named after the late state representative, earlier this month. more

NORTON – Wheaton College has established a new major in business and management aimed to prepare students as future organizational leaders. It will offer internships, which will be required as part of the program, to students through affiliations with business and nonprofit organizations. more

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Library Association will celebrate Money Smart Week at Your Library April 20-27 with a series of financial-literacy programs at participating libraries. more