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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: Central Mass. hospital beds fill with COVID patients
-TODAY! An extra day of testing in Worcester before Christmas
-Positive tests continue to increase in Worcester schools
-Worcester Public Schools prepare for winter break
-Omicron less likely to put you in the hospital, studies say
-Hospital presidents issue an urgent plea to the public
-Radio Worcester's Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Petty (14:56): COVID, Christmas, coming together and school safety
-ICYMI: U.S. Army creates single vaccine effective against all COVID & SARS variants, researchers say
-Mass. officials report nearly 8,000 new cases, 33 additional deaths as positivity rate climbs to 7 percent
-FDA authorizes Pfizer pill to treat COVID as Omicron spreads
-Airline passengers more likely to get COVID because of Omicron
-Cruise ship sees 55 passengers test positive
-NHL announces players won’t be allowed to go to Olympics
-China orders lockdown of up to 13 million people in Xi’an
-Etiquette expert offers tips for tricky holiday change of plan conversations
In The News
-Latest weather: Wind chills in the teens today in Worcester, 1 to 2 inches of snow possible overnight
+6:00: Worcester police turn to public for help in search for missing 14-year-old
+6:00: Gourmet donut shop to open new location in Downtown Worcester
+6:00: Worcester Planning Board OKs site plan for redevelopment of former Boys Club at Lincoln Square
+6:00: Ray Mariano: My Christmas gift list for Worcester leaders
+6:00: Radio Worcester (11:12): Worcester NAACP President Fred Taylor talks School Committee district representation
+6:00: Adoption Option: WARL gives thanks for support
+1:00: The Mayor’s Live Music List for Thursday
+1:00: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 23rd
+1:00: Worcesteria: A wish for the New Year – We all deserve to be seen
+1:00: West Brookfield driver arrested after police find gun from 1800s
+1:00: These are the most streamed Christmas songs on Spotify by state
+1:00: More tinsel, less tension: How to weed out the stress of the holiday season
-Body of missing man with dementia found in Lake Quinsigamond (:21). Article
-11 people hospitalized, including 8 UMass Memorial employees, after crash involving parking-garage shuttle. Video (:51)
-Related: Photos of the scene. Video from the scene (:11)
-Food: Worcester bakery sold to sisters, employees
-Phantom Gourmet visits Central Mass. restaurant (5:15)
-Atlantis Raw Bar could open by New Year's Eve in Worcester
-Cooking is more than a job for chef at Samuel Slater’s
-"More questions than answers": Actress's parents found dead in Worcester home (1:51)
-Related: Actress Alicia Witt's Worcester parents were sick and remained very private, neighbor says
-Girl, 11, hit by driver along Pleasant Street in Worcester
-Tuesday: Pedestrian struck, seriously injured on Mill Street in Worcester
-Worcester UFO sighting from 1976 recalled by residents 45 years later
-Holiday travel expected to be heavy Thursday on roads, at airports
-Worcester parents concerned over alleged gun incident at Doherty High
-Pair arraigned for manslaughter in Superior Court after fatal crash
-Worcester’s Women to Watch in 2022
-NEW Wachusett Wine & Spirits podcast (30:19): Whiskey Wednesday Christmas
-A musical holiday treat from Mauro and Peter DePasquale (1:58)
-Listen Up: Favorite New England music videos of 2021
-Health: UMass Medical School professor leads research on potential Type 1 diabetes treatment (2:14)
-Tribute to Father George Ridick, Worcester native, All-American basketball player at Assumption and priest for 45 years
-ICYMI: First look at plans for 80 apartments at former Boys Club at Lincoln Square
-Judge who ruled City of Worcester broke the law again considers forcing city to pay damages
-Reminder: Worcester trash and recycling to be on normal schedule the next 2 weeks
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury resident writes children’s book with daughters
-Need help disposing of your Christmas tree? Troop 107 in Grafton can help
-Leominster library brings back its food for fines program to help those in need
-Sports: Holy Cross 'Sader Stories (22:35): Football National Signing Day recap
-Patriots may get key players back against Bills
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Brown scores 34 points as Celtics beat Cavaliers, 111-101
-Cars: Happy Holidays from Bertera Nissan (2:04)
-Take a look at new 2022 Four Winds RV now in at Fuller RV in Boylston
-Business: WBJ's Economic Forecast: Health care's overwhelming problems
-U.S. economy grew at 2.3% rate in Q3, up from earlier estimate
-Colleges: Pandemic-induced supply chain woes could lead to opportunity this holiday season, says Holy Cross prof
-National: 2021 on track to surpass last year as nation's deadliest
-Plane crashes on top of occupied home in California
-New England: Husband of Massachusetts' first woman governor dies at 67
-Foundation pays off mortgage for fallen trooper's family
-Tragic: Madagascar boat accident kills at least 83 people
-Shopping/Deals: Here’s how much the gifts from "12 Days of Christmas" would cost today
-Homes: Rents for single-family homes are rising 3 times as fast as they were a year ago
-TV/Streaming: Netflix’s non-English shows paid off big in 2021
-Celebrity: ZZ Top sells music catalog for $50 million to BMG, investment firm
-Animals: 150-pound Great Dane falls in love with tiny kitten (3:37)
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Mom does good deeds to honor son who died at 1 month (2:34)
-Meanwhile, in North Carolina, deer breaks into county courthouse
Latest obituaries | | Wednesday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Last day of oppressive heat, high feels like 95 to 100 today in Worcester
-Cooling centers open today in Worcester; water available
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Mass. names Worcester 1 of 78 Housing Choice Communities
+6:00: Here's when Disney on Ice will skate into Worcester
+6:00: Bill Ballou on baseball
+Noon: Camels as pets? Meet Phil and RJ of Grafton
+Noon: Old Sturbridge Village to host Redcoats and Rebels for 250th anniversary
+Noon: Texas country band Flatland Cavalry heading to Indian Ranch in Webster
+Noon: Listen Up: Chill out for summer with Caylin Costello, D-Tension songs
+Noon: Last Call: Catherine Zebrowski, writer and musician
-13-year-old girl reported missing in Worcester
-U.S. News: UMass Memorial Medical Center is a top Mass. hospital, best in Worcester
-Can you help Worcester police ID these road-rage suspects?
-2 Shrewsbury men arrested in Boston prostitution sting
-Community rallies to help Leicester girl, hospitalized for year with cancer, celebrate birthday
-Algae treatment planned for Coes Reservoir, Indian Lake on Thursday
-Worcester school jobs saved as administration releases education funding
-Worcester elderly apartments sold for $17 million
-More body camera footage released of Eureka Street I.C.E. incident. Here's what it shows
-What's the best way to enjoy summer in Worcester County? Vote in round 3
-5 places to get out on the water in Central Mass. this summer
-Worcester African Festival returns for third year
-Interested in becoming a Worcester Police Officer? (:47)
-Radio Worcester (22:34): Commissioner Rob Antonelli on Worcester’s parks progress, priorities and planning
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (47:21): When immigration enforcement meets local politics
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Nan Xiang Express set to come to Shrewsbury
-ICYMI: Good Samaritan helps out driver in Worcester crash
-Downtown Worcester apartments at center of CitySquare redevelopment sold for $122 million
-2 Central Mass. women die in Old Orchard Beach, Maine camper explosion (2:15). Article
-"My baby!": Newly released body cam video shows new insight into Worcester I.C.E. arrest
-Worcester police arrest 3 juveniles after gun found in car
-Millbury police arrest 3 Worcester men in separate thefts
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Eagle Lake still closed for swimming
-Long term employees make Lamoureux Ford special (3:50)
-This week's road closure and traffic delays
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): bankHometown consolidating Webster branches
-Clinton man accused of using pudding barcode taped around finger to steal $40 of groceries
-Item photos: Young "royals" get ready for Fancy Nancy Tea Party
-Drive-throughs targeted in West Boylston as new Dunkin's gets variance
-Lancaster administrator sets directions for now
-Shrewsbury High’s Chemistry Club brings science to elementary schools
-Spencer Selectmen talk evaluation, criteria for E.M.S. request for proposals
-Former Templeton administrator warns select board of 9C cuts, hiring woes, and out-of-class pay risks
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Wednesday
-Jazzed Up Trio 6 to 8 Wednesday at 961 at Union Station
>SHOWTIME: Worcester writers bring the drama in summer showcase
-Destiny's Child reunites onstage for first time in 7 years at Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" finale
-Hanover Theatre takes over full management of the J.M.A.C.
-W.S.C. Stay Connected (1:01:31): A Tribute to the Beatles by the Hip Swayers, Stomp N' Holler, Hit the Bus
>OPINION: Worcesteria: How low can it go? Dry spell dries up Elm Park's ponds
-Margaret Smith: For a Catholic fan, Ozzy's life and lyrics strike a holy note
-What's Up Worcester's Minute with Meagan (15:24): Jenny Gaul, Executive Director, Joy of Music Program (JOMP)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to a Worcester native who ran a home daycare for over 20 years
>SPORTS: Christian Gonzalez injury to sideline Patriots cornerback for "a bit"
-How Kayshon Boutte has impressed so far at Patriots training camp
-Red Sox beat Twins, 8-5
-Bravehearts beat New Britain, 3-2 . Next home game: 6:30 Wednesday. Buy tickets here
-Holy Cross Athletics (1:57): Get to know Coach Bryan Robbat
-WooSox beat IronPigs, 7-5
-King of the Court basketball tournament debuts at Worcester parks
>NATIONAL: 8.8-magnitude earthquake sends tsunami into coasts of Russia, Japan and Alaska
-Ghislaine Maxwell will plead the Fifth in House testimony — unless demands are met: defense lawyer
-ChatGPT passes the "I'm not a robot" test — a "terrifying" step toward developing a mind of its own
>TRAGIC: Toddler dies after "slipping" from dad’s arms on water slide
>NEW ENGLAND: Powerful moment for Mass. family who was forced to live in park (2:16). Article
-Intruder bathed, slept, ate & stole while Boston family was away on vacation (3:45)
>COLLEGES: Q.C.C. president pushes for faculty pay hikes
-WPI researcher tackles water treatment woes with battery tech
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Inside the "arms race" to win the new luxury cruise ship market
>BUSINESS: Highlights from A.A.R.P.'s 99 ways to save money (1:46)
-LPL Financial Research: Economy in uncharted waters
-Report: Small size of Mass. sports betting industry limiting opportunities for minorities, women and veterans
>SHOPPING: When do Spirit Halloween stores open this year? Here's our guess
>HEALTH: Police, doctors warn of e-bike dangers as use skyrockets in Mass.
-Researchers say some artificial sweeteners could impact brain (:53)
-COVID barely detectable in wastewater, but is it time to celebrate? (2:15). Article
>FOOD: Greek Chicken Salad Bowls
>TV/STREAMING: Robin Roberts reveals why she’s been absent from "GMA"
>MOVIES: 40 best needle drops in movies of all time
>CELEBRITY: Tom Cruise, Ana de Armas attend Oasis show — after band roasted actor
-Justin Baldoni breaks social media silence to celebrate milestone with wife amid Blake Lively legal battle
>ANIMALS: 14-year-old dog dumped at shelter gets a ton of new siblings (1:40)
>HISTORY: Then & Now: Grafton Street, Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Woman found alive 9 months after vanishing near Death Valley
-Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, polite black bear stuns homeowners after ringing doorbell before exploring hot tub
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