We are a philanthropic nation. Even with the challenges of recent economic times, charitable giving increased by $8 billion in 2011, an increase of almost 4 percent from 2010, according to the 2012 report by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Individuals gave $217 billion, compared with $209 billion in 2010. more

What is it that when we dine out is both eagerly anticipated and taken for granted? more

BOSTON – The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection penalized New Bedford-based waste hauler ABC Disposal Inc., $1,500 for solid-waste violations related to the dumping of excessive amounts of construction and demolition wood at a landfill in December 2012. more

PROVIDENCE – The Humane Society of the United States has awarded Sen. Dominick Ruggerio, D-North Providence, and Rep. Patricia A. Serpa, D-West Warwick, as Rhode Island’s Humane State Legislators for 2012. more

PROVIDENCE – R.I. Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher F. Koller is stepping down to take a post as president of the Milbank Memorial Fund, a national health-policy foundation based in New York, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced last week. more

BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley this month launched a consumer-protection campaign that includes free educational training across the state and a new website offering resources for consumers related to for-profit schools. more

PROVIDENCE – A partnership that includes GTECH Corp. is slated to be awarded a 15-year lottery-marketing contract by New Jersey, Bloomberg News reported. more

It’s an ongoing dilemma for millions of business owners: How to take vacations or other time off and still keep business on track. Not only do Americans take far fewer vacations than workers in other countries (hundreds of millions of vacation days go unused in the U.S. annually), but studies show that business owners take the least amount of time off of anyone. more

One-time nightclub owner and Coventry native Barry Blair has long been a man about town who ran his business with a focus on going above and beyond for any customer. more

Webster Bank is holding a “one-stop shopping” Home Buyer Open House with bank officers on hand to assist with pre-qualification for mortgages and local realtors on-site with area listings, according to a press release from the bank. more