Women in the Rhode Island make, on average, 85 cents to every dollar paid to men, according to a new report released by the National Partnership for Women and Families. more

State lawmakers, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee and Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin have unveiled a nine-bill plan to help “improve gun safety and strengthen existing laws dealing with firearm violations.” more

The sale of Westerly Hospital for $69 million to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital of New London, Conn., was approved today by state regulators, the first such hospital sale approved under the expedited review process of the revised Hospital Conversions Act. more

Thanks to approval of federal funding allocations, the state has released the details of $5.7 million in improvements to the Providence railroad station, which serves Amtrak and MBTA passengers every day. more

A test for state legislators: more

How do you stack up as a potential mortgage candidate in this year’s increasingly tough underwriting environment? Do you have the right stuff – credit score, debt-to-income ratio, equity or down payment – to get you through the minefield? more

PROVIDENCE – A Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association official testified in Washington last week in favor of federal legislation that could secure funding to protect the Pawcatuck River and other streams in the region, The Associated Press reported. more

PROVIDENCE – The effort to build a rock-climbing playground for Jamestown children got a push recently when the R.I. Department of Environmental Management awarded the project a $38,000 grant. more

BOSTON – The Mass. Gaming Commission is hoping lawmakers push back a key deadline by as much of a year, saying taking over the work of the state racing commission will make it more difficult to get new casinos up and running, The Associated Press reported last week. more

NEW BEDFORD – Four federal grants totaling $600,000 aim to enhance broadband adoption and support for small businesses and nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts. more