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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
-Surging cases make for another subdued Christmas Day
-Latest data on capacity at Worcester area hospitals
-Voices of UMassMed podcast (25:08): As COVID fatigue deepens, mental health concerns rise
-ICYMI: Updated case numbers for every city, town in Worcester County
-Mass. doctors switch treatment amid Omicron surge, with new drugs available in limited supply
-Outbreak leaves U.S. Navy warship sidelined in Guantanamo Bay
-Is a 4th vaccine dose needed? U.S. health officials say not yet
In The News
-Latest weather: Breezy and seasonably cold, high of 38 today in Worcester
-Fire on Christmas forces area family out of their home (:11). Article
-Car stolen, 3 others broken into early Christmas morning in Paxton
-Former Assumption star and current NFL All-Pro's Christmas gift goes viral
-Christmas tree disposal begins in Worcester today
-Homes: See inside a $75,000 home for sale in Worcester
-NEW: Wachusett Wine & Spirits' podcast (1:09:14): Top 5 Whiskies of 2021. Earlier: Nos. 6-10, Nos. 11-20.
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Sunday
-Radio Worcester (3:16): Ricky Duran sings "All I want for Christmas is you" in studio
-Goddard Scholars Academy at South High to hold 2nd Open House on January 12th
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Early morning rollover Friday in Westborough
-Man arrested after crashing truck into utility pole, breaking into Dudley home
-From Channel 5's "Chronicle": Treasures found in Grafton
-Planting family roots with Pecorino and Houlden Farm in Grafton
-Sports: Complete coverage: There’s so much on the line in massive Patriots-Bills clash
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Celtics lose 19-point lead at home in loss to Bucks
-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: Over 200 newspapers are suing Facebook and Google for killing their advertising
-Colleges: Nursing students at Anna Maria donate comfort items to Veteran’s Inc. and Abby’s House
-QCC’s respiratory care program receives Credentialing Success Award
-National: Hundreds more flights canceled across country on Christmas
-One woman’s 6-year ordeal shows we must reform civil forfeiture laws
-Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid leader and voice of justice, dead at 90
-Christmas 2021 celebrated around the world in photos
-New England: Twin brothers killed in Christmas Eve crash on Mass. interstate
-Icy conditions lead to 15-vehicle crash on N.H. highway on Christmas morning
-Mashpee Wampanoag tribe's status confirmed, ending reservation saga
-Tragic: Father and 2 sons die in a house fire likely caused by dried-up Christmas tree and electrical issues
-Shopping/Deals: The 33 best end of year sales
-Health: New UMass Medical School research brings new hope for ALS patients (1:53)
-TV/Streaming: New movies and shows to watch this weekend
-Movies: "Spider-Man: No Way Home" tops box office ahead of "Sing 2"
-Celebrity: Celebrity legal battles of 2021 (2:30)
-History: Christmas home decor in 1950s and '60s (7:18)
-Animals: Incredible moment lioness goes in for a hug with her human best friend
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Homeless to selling homes: An Iowa woman’s story of triumph
-Meanwhile, Bay Staters drink enough beer over the holidays to fill 168 Olympic-sized swimming pools, study finds
Latest obituaries | | Saturday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:27). High of 48 today in Worcester
-How much total snow is Massachusetts forecast to get this winter? (6:11). Article
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+Noon: Neighbors shocked after woman killed in Worcester shooting; man also injured (1:46). Article
-Earlier: Woman dead, man injured in Worcester shooting (:59). Article
+Noon: Sarah Connell Sanders: "Compassionate care" is front and center at UMass' Maternity Center
+Noon: Stolen stained-glass window returned to Worcester Art Museum
+Noon: Magic of "The Nutcracker" ballet is returning to Worcester
+Noon: Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making weekend plans
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
-John Piccolo, popular Worcester restaurant owner, charged in City Hall attack
-Earlier: Activist sprayed with paint outside City Council meeting; suspect is Worcester restaurateur (2:10). Article
-Tensions boil over as Worcester board grills developer over Polar Park project delays
-Earlier: Worcester councilors frustrated by stalled plans for development around Polar Park
-To meet housing crisis, report finds Gateway Cities need twice as much construction
-Former District 1 City Councilor Sean Rose announces at-large run
-18 months after surprise inspection, Community Healthlink not back to normal operations
-76 become new citizens at naturalization ceremony in Worcester
-Losses mourned, lives celebrated at emotional Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony
-Mass. says some police officers have been bypassing required training (3:06). Article
-Earlier: Worcester probing 27 officers state says fast-forwarded mandatory online training
-Worcester County Wonders: Shrewsbury woman rescues raptors one feather at a time
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (24:35): Breaking down the Polar Park deficit
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:19): Polar Park, tax rolls and deportation debate
>DINING OUT: Brazillian Burguer to open at former Shrewsbury Street donut shop
-ICYMI: Worcester-area Stop & Shop inventory limited after cyberattack
-David Crowley, part of family that runs Wachusett Mountain, dies at 69
-Man in late 60s, 2 cats killed in early morning condo fire in Leominster
-Charles Luster, co-founder of Uncommonwealth Group, running for Worcester City Council
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden tax rate drops, bills rise
-Long-term employees make it fun to own a car or truck from Lamoureux Ford (3:50)
-Wachusett Echo Teacher Profile: Chelsea Blasco
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury seeks plow drivers for winter season
-Grafton tax rate down, values up for fiscal 2025
-Board approves single tax rate for all types of property for Sutton
-The Item's calendar of events
-Clinton E.L.P.A.C. hosts holiday family potluck
-2 Berlin firefighters graduate from academy
-Nashoba Class of 2004 to hold 20-year reunion on November 29th
-Organization gets federal grant for new grocery store in Winchendon
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Five Things to Do: African Talent, "Songs of the Season," and more
-Fractal Tribe art collective set to bring light to holiday festival
-Hunting phantoms, talking puppets bring humor to stage Friday and Saturday
-Jim & Val bring Second Saturdays to Apple Tree Arts
-WCCA-TV's Soapbox No. 1354 (28:06): Mark Henderson, Founder, The 016
-39th annual meeting of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (54:58)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester woman who was a longtime kindergarten teacher
>SPORTS: Boston Celtics visit the White House (12:33)
-Patriots owner Robert Kraft snubbed again in Hall of Fame bid (2:22). Article
-Bruins beat Utah, 1-0
-2004 Boston Red Sox ring and World Series trophy owned by Larry Lucchino featured in upcoming auction
-Joe Nugent steps up for Crusaders men's basketball team
-Holy Cross women’s basketball announces 3 signings
-Check out the schedule for upcoming road races in Central Mass.
>NATIONAL: Are future Social Security benefits in peril?
-Up to 20 human skulls found in New Mexico home
-Tragic: Missing boy with autism found dead
>NEW ENGLAND: Worker injured during "supermove" in medically induced coma with third-degree burns
>COLLEGES: Assumption names new chief financial officer
-Worcester State Magazine’s special 150th anniversary issue hits the stands, goes live online
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 7 of the most beautiful places to visit in the Pacific Northwest
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. unemployment rates remain higher than 2023
-LPL Financial Research: Trade, tariffs and inflation
-Unity Radio's L.A.B.O. News (57:40)
>HOMES: What $350,000 can buy you in Worcester County, November 10th to 16th
>SHOPPING: Amazon Haul — What to know about Amazon's new discount store
>HEALTH: Health officials track increases in whooping cough, pneumonia (2:31)
-A few hours of activity a week can lower your risk of A-fib (:58)
>FOOD: How to stay safe during foodborne illness outbreaks (2:16)
>TV/STREAMING: "Jeopardy" contestant’s heart-wrenching interview leaves Ken Jennings speechless
>MOVIES: Matthew McConaughey reveals why he turned down $15 million role
>CELEBRITY: Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 attack on himself is overturned
>HISTORY: Founded in Boston, Staples ushered in era of office supply superstores
>ANIMALS: Cyclist finds puppy in the middle of nowhere (2:08)
>GOOD NEWS: Man discovers owner of his favorite bakery is his birth mother
-Meanwhile, in Miami, woman delivers baby at airport in American Airlines ticketing area
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
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