PROVIDENCE – Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee this month signed into law the Jason Foreman Act, which prohibits those convicted of certain crimes, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping of a minor and first-degree sexual assault, from earning credits toward early release for good behavior. more

PROVIDENCE – The General Assembly this month approved legislation toughening penalties for underage smoking. more

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Education (RIDE) and the R.I. Board of Governors for Higher Education (RIBGHE) on June 8 unveiled Rhode Island DataHub, a new central resource for student data on educational achievement, demographics, health and student-risk factors, from prekindergarten through college. more

Salespeople (not you, of course) are known for asking poor questions – questions that are not only embarrassing, questions that are also rude. And I would be remiss if I didn’t add: questions that make them appear desperate and pressing for a sale. more

PROVIDENCE – A new fiber-optic network that will serve to connect hospitals across Rhode Island was “lighted” at CharterCARE Health System on June 11. more

PROVIDENCE – To help bridge neurosciences across Lifespan, the Brown Institute for Brain Science and the Norman Prince Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Karen Furie has been appointed chief of neurology at Rhode Island, The Miriam and Bradley hospitals, effective Aug. 6. more

SOUTH KINGSTOWN –Nobel Prize winner Thomas Steitz will speak on Sept. 30 as part of a three-day international pharmaceutical conference at the University of Rhode Island. more

CRANSTON – Since 1998, first-year enrollment at Rhode Island’s schools of nursing has increased 93.5 percent, according to the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. The number of nurse graduates has grown nearly 50 percent in that time. more

PROVIDENCE – Kimberly Morris, a 25-year employee of Cornerstone Adult Services, has been recognized for exceptional service with the 2012 John Hedderson Award by LeadingAge RI. more

EAST PROVIDENCE – Munroe Dairy of East Providence has designated June Women & Infants Hospital month and will donate $25 for each new customer who mentions the hospital when signing up for home-delivery service. more