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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: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:52). High of 46 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+1:00: City Council votes to study replacement of aging police headquarters
+1:00: All in fun for comedian Marlon Wayans in Worcester
+1:00: Actress and singer Lindsay Mendez set for Broadway in Worcester
+1:00: Last Call: Kalan Lewis, mentorship program director at Q.C.C.
-Woman in her 60s dies after Southbridge house fire (:19). Article
-Earlier: Southbridge fire leaves woman in critical condition (1:43). Article
-Armed & dangerous suspect wanted in Worcester bar shooting
-Amid shortage, Worcester permitted nearly 400 fewer housing units last year
-How a Worcester opt-out provision for developers is leading to more affordable housing
-Worcester manager to ask council for tax break for incoming homeless center
-How to be among the first to try new restaurant at former Flying Rhino spot on Shrewsbury Street
-From factories to families: Worcester State students unveil new vision for Worcester’s history
>DINING OUT: Vote now for the best fish and chips in Central Mass.
-ICYMI: Victim of fatal crash in Shrewsbury was member of U.S. Army, friends say
-Saint Vincent parent company wins lawsuit over poor hospital safety grades
-The Worcester farmers market is returning, and moving to a familiar location
-Worcester County Wonders: Worcester's oldest theater plans a rebirth
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): March Senior Center events
-Winter snow brings great values at Lamoureux Ford (2:00)
-This week's road closures and traffic delays
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Perrone’s Barber Shop may be demolished to make way for new bank
-Man's rescue from under S.U.V. in Webster parking lot caught on bodycam (1:02)
-Grafton police clarify relationship with I.C.E., federal authorities in letter to community
-Cultural Night at Glenwood Elementary March 24th
-Finn Park celebrates 100 years
-Hopedale accepting nominations for volunteerism award
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Wednesday
-Jazzed Up at The Uxlocale, 7 to 9 Friday
>SHOWTIME: Jamie Wax to have a staged reading of his new play in Worcester
-Phish returns to the top 10 on multiple Billboard charts with "New Year’s Eve 1993 / Live At Worcester Centrum"
-TODAY! Brown Bag Concert Series returns to Mechanics Hall
>OPINION: Dani Killay: Worcester Speaks No. 14 — Jess Curtin & Travis Duda
-Alex Corrales: Rising to challenges for Worcester's public housing
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (26:22): Holden defies M.B.T.A. law, Worcester crime stats debate
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to woman who lost everything in Worcester tornado of 1953
>SPORTS: What Romeo Doubs brings to Patriots as No. 2 receiver for Drake Maye
-Celtics lose to San Antonio, 125-116 (1:57). Article
-Bruins beat Los Angeles, 2-1
-U.S. suffers embarrassing World Baseball Classic loss to Italy in massive upset
-Holy Cross women’s basketball cruises to victory over Colgate in Patriot League quarterfinal
-Holy Cross mourns the loss of Mark Gallagher
-Millbury's magical run comes to an end in the Division 4 state semifinals
>NATIONAL: 6 dead in Switzerland bus fire, police suspect arson
-U.S.-Iran tensions escalate over oil shipments in Strait of Hormuz
-Tragic: Mother mauled to death by 3 dogs while protecting son
>NEW ENGLAND: Mass., 25 other states continue fight against Ticketmaster
-New England residents wake up to frightening door-kicking prank made popular by viral challenge (1:47)
-Cohasset man charged after shooting family dog in head from window, police say
>COLLEGES: Charlie Baker to deliver Holy Cross commencement
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 5 places known for unique weather patterns
-Southwest allegedly testing plan to clean less between flights
>BUSINESS: Ayer manufacturer finishes $55 million expansion, builds world’s largest tofu production line
-LPL Financial Research: Markets tested as Iran conflict continues
-Lawmakers still flooded with complaints about administration of unemployment benefits
>HOMES: The most popular houseplants for any skill level
>HEALTH: Fewer U.S. women dying during childbirth, C.D.C. report says
>FOOD: Creamy Tuscan garlic shrimp
>TV/STREAMING: Teaser for new HBO series "Lanterns" (2:21)
>MOVIES: Best Picture showdown between "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" brings some legitimate heat to Oscars
>CELEBRITY: The Harvey Weinstein prison interview from Rikers: Hollywood Reporter exclusive
-Quentin Tarantino reacts to Rosanna Arquette for "Pulp Fiction" N-word slam
>ANIMALS: Cuddly baby squirrels visit their rescuer every day (3:18)
>HISTORY: Downtown Worcester during demolition for Worcester Galleria
>GOOD NEWS: Dad, 99, helps son, 80, finally crack free oysters promotion at restaurant
-Meanwhile, in the U.K., Finnish couple takes first in the annual wife carrying race
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