The Rhode Island-based nonprofit Clean the Bay has a new name – Clean Bays. The group removes marine debris from the shores and waterways of southern New England. more

Rhode Island earned a ‘C+’ with a score of 2.33 out of 4 on educational reform advocacy group StudentsFirst’s 2013 State Policy Report Card. more

As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, the Working Waterfront Festival is launching the Portholes Project, a series of free, monthly programs to spark conversation about issues facing working waterfronts. more

(Updated Jan. 4, 10:45 a.m.)On Tuesday, Jan. 15, Ocean State Job Lot will make a record donation to food banks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and New York. more

The Rhode Island Blood Center and Dunkin’ Donuts will kick off National Blood Donor Month and the “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” program on Jan. 7. more

The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities has announced Elizabeth Francis as its new executive director. more

The Preservation Society of Newport County has won a $500,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to establish a fellowship program studying the city’s history. more

The Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic received a $40,000 grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to help fund its new walk-in Cheer clinic. more

The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded a total of $300,000 in year-end emergency grants to four organizations that provide basic human services to Rhode Islanders in need, the nonprofit announced Tuesday. more

Rhode Island ranked 40th in the U.S. for funding programs that help prevent kids from smoking and help current smokers quit, according to a report released by a coalition of public health organizations. more