CRANSTON – R.I. Department of Corrections Director Ashbel T. Wall II has announced the appointment of Roy Wells of Warwick as inspector. He assumes the role on July 23. more

BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office will hold four educational forums on the Open Meeting Law throughout the state during September and October, including one in Taunton. more

Nearly a year of reassurances from Rhode Island’s top political leaders that the state will pay off its 38 Studios LLC debt hasn’t quieted advocates of a tactical default. more

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case of a murder suspect at the center of a legal tug of war between the state and federal prosecutors, The Associated Press reported last week. more

PROVIDENCE – After a monthlong cellphone-recycling drive held by the R.I. Office of Attorney General, Verizon Wireless made a $2,000 HopeLine contribution to the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The funding will provide financial assistance to local nonprofit organizations focused on supporting victims of domestic violence. more

Miriam A. Ross may have the secret to being a successful business owner, and the answer isn’t all that surprising. more

BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick last week swore in Andrea Cabral as secretary of the Mass. Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. more

PROVIDENCE – The General Assembly complied with the state Open Meetings law 96 percent of the time last year, according to Secretary of State’s A. Ralph Mollis’ office. more

As Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee considers the revisions to the Access to Public Records Act that the General Assembly has sent to his desk, he should remember his campaign plank to crack down on corruption and then sign this latest version of the ARPA. Simply, this first updating of public-records law in more than a dozen years is a key step toward a more transparent and just society. more

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin is warning consumers of a scam where they receive text messages offering free Walmart, Target and other consumer store gift cards, so-called “smishing scams.” more