Add Dashboard Widgets in 2.7?

In 2.6.5 I used the dashboard widget editor to add widgets onto the dashboard in order to communicate with and provide various links for the writers on our group blog. Naturally, the built-in streamlined widgetized dashboard for 2.7 attracted me. But now, I find I can’t do what I need with the new dashboard.

Here’s what I need to be able to do:

1. Add links and RSS feeds to the dashboard.
2. Be able to add these things to every author’s dashboard.

Anyone know if I can do this in 2.7?