BOSTON – Most Massachusetts gas stations are pumping fuel at the proper octane levels and the vast majority of stations are adhering to signage regulations, according to the Mass. Division of Standards. more

WARWICK – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service of Rhode Island is accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Up to $70,000 will be awarded statewide. 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 – Gov. Deval L. Patrick has requested federal relief for small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by the Boston Marathon bombing that occurred April 15. more

Whether or not Hurricane Sandy had a connection to climate change, the latter will make future Hurricane Sandys more common, imposing enormous costs on cities. more

If you want to know what kind of guy Ernest Zmyslinski is, ask his boss, longtime Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian. The mayor nominated the city finance director – known as Ernie to his colleagues in City Hall – for this award. Avedisian praises the man who has been on the finance job since the day he took office as innovative and unflappable. more

BOSTON – The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection is seeking public comment for proposed amendments to agency regulations that deal with wetlands, waterways and water-quality certifications, as well as wastewater-related changes to state-issued permits and operation standards for sewer-treatment works. more

PROVIDENCE – Rep. Mia A. Ackerman, D-Cumberland, has introduced a bill on behalf of Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts that would create a tax credit for small employers that implement a wellness program for employees. more

BOSTON – Representatives from 20 Massachusetts communities, as well as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Living Cities and several other organizations and agencies last week launched the Working Cities Challenge: An Initiative for Massachusetts Smaller Cities. 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