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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: U.S. children hospitalized with COVID in near-record numbers
+6:00: As U.S. hits record high case numbers, expert says omicron surge is "unlike anything we've ever seen"
-THURSDAY! Additional date for testing in Downtown Worcester
-Vaccination clinic 3-6 today at YMCA on Main Street in Worcester
-Amid surge, Downtown Worcester restaurant closes until January 5th
-UMass Memorial CEO: Peak of hospitalizations coming by second week of January
-Worcester officials announce booster mandate for city employees (1:27)
-Mayor Petty encourages vaccines, boosters as city sees highest case numbers yet (:25)
-Worcester sees "amazing" number of new cases
-Worcester limits crowds at school sporting events to only parents, siblings
-Shrewsbury grapples with increases in cases
-Mass. officials report more than 15,000 new cases as positivity rate tops 13 percent
-Mass. schools receive 200,000 at-home tests for staff
-Doctor explains accuracy, effectiveness of PCR, rapid tests
-CDC changes to quarantine, isolation advice took local health officials by surprise
-U.S. hits record average of daily new cases
-WHO chief worried about "tsunami" of Omicron, Delta cases
-ICYMI: Added protection in Worcester schools following holiday vacation
In The News
-Latest weather: More mild weather, high about 40 today in Worcester
+6:00: Lexus engulfed in flames in Worcester parking garage left car toasted, garage scorched
+6:00: Saint Vincent Hospital strike likely cost over $40 million
+6:00: Boulevard Diner resumes night shift on weekends
+6:00: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - December 30th
+6:00: NEW! Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (36:03): Tequila Single Barrel Pick
+6:00: New Year’s weekend events at Worcester Common Oval
+6:00: "Dexter," Whitney Houston, "Don't Look Up" and Worcester's big year in pop culture
+6:00: Worcesteria: Saying goodbye to arts scene fixtures Kelly Momberger, Fernando Perez and others
+6:00: Artist Spotlight: Kristi Xhelili
-2 Housing Authority employees honored for saving a life
-216-unit apartment building proposed on Hemans Street in Worcester
-After the death of Worcester Christmas Carol Mom, family seeks help
-New Year's Eve plans? Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands
-Remembering First Night Worcester on what would have been its 40th year
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Thursday
-Five Things to Do: Twiddle, New Year's at the EcoTarium and more ....
-Last Call with Nick Austin, commercial actor
-Wachusett Wine & Spirits' podcast (1:09:14): Top 5 Whiskies of 2021. Earlier: Nos. 6-10, Nos. 11-20.
-Worcester Common Oval ice skating open for extended hours this week
-Tribute to man who worked for Worcester water department for 43 years
-ICYMI: Downtown Worcester restaurant development listed for sale for $5.7 million
-Bakery set to open new location in Worcester by end of January
-Reminder: No delay in trash and recycling pickup this week in Worcester
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Paxton administrator search delayed over process discussions
-Sterling OK's earth removal for Heywood Road site, with contingencies
-Sports: Is Patriots QB Mac Jones hitting a rookie wall?
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-All-Star pitcher to return to Bravehearts
-Mariners beat Railers, 9-7
-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: Developer shares vision of thriving Worcester
-Inflation driven by corporate greed, area professor says
-National: Ghislaine Maxwell convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls
-New England: 1 killed in head-on crash in Mass.; driver charged with OUI
-Shopping/Deals: Shop Wayfair's End of Year Outlet sale for up to 60% off
-Food: Do you like black coffee and dark chocolate? A new study could explain why
-Homes: 3 upcoming open houses in Worcester
-Celebrity: Dr. Dre to pay ex-wife Nicole Young $100 million in divorce settlement
-Animals: Dog chained up for 6 years is free for very first time (3:11)
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Family reunited with puppy that went missing on Christmas
-Meanwhile, here's why hamsters can drink more alcohol than any other animal
Latest obituaries | | Wednesday highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:34). High of 81 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Worcester police ask for help finding missing teen girl
-UMass Memorial increases planned Community Healthlink layoffs to 231
-Worcester’s Washington Square to be site for demolition, new apartments
-Mass. House approves carveout allowing for Worcester Red Sox players to not be subject to state wage laws
-Former UMass Medical School student and cancer survivor in seventh Pan-Mass Challenge (2:53)
-UMass Memorial Health opens convenient new family medicine facility at White City
-Mike Benedetti: Worcester City Council agenda preview
-Radio Worcester (26:14): State Sen. Robyn Kennedy on budget, child welfare reform, housing costs, I.C.E.
>DINING OUT: Phantom Gourmet visits Worcester restaurant (4:59)
-Worcester bistro closed until August 3rd
-Worcester bakery closed until August 5th
-ICYMI: Worcester city manager nixes Research Bureau bid for police civilian review board
-Another pedestrian crash in Worcester renews push for safety improvements
-Massport announces record year for Worcester Regional Airport
-City backs 4 affordable housing developments
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Senior Center closed through the end of July
-Russ Parker from Holden loves Lamoureux Ford (3:04)
-This week's road closures and traffic delays
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Victor Catacchio has been making cars look like new for 43 years
-Leominster man arrested after police find him passed out behind the wheel with fentanyl
-Crews install modular bridge spanning French River between Dudley and Webster
-Road closure today and tomorrow in Shrewsbury
-Spencer Summer Concert Series returns to Powder Mill Park
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Tuesday
>SHOWTIME: EcoTarium honors U.N. environmental leader with its highest conservation award
-WCCA-TV's Video Jam No. 1385 (30:00): Gina Alice, Captains of Entropy and more
>OPINION: Tom Marino: When Worcester chose the bailout over the Constitution
-WCCA-TV's Connecting the Dots No. 168 (29:48): Ed Gardella, Part 2
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (37:57): I.C.E. shooting in Maine, claims on election integrity
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester business owner who passed away at 44
>SPORTS: Drake Maye-A.J. Brown connection among storylines to watch as training camp opens (11:25)
-Red Sox beat Rays, 6-5, for 14th straight win
-'Sader Stories (2:20): Kaitlyn Flanagan, Crusader of the Year
-7 Bravehearts heading to Futures League All-Star Game (1:29)
-WooBall Weekly: Bravehearts enter All-Star break in the thick of playoff chase
-Win WooSox tickets courtesy of North End Motor Sales
>CARS: Best used cars for teen drivers, according to Consumer Reports
>NATIONAL: 3 more U.S. servicemembers killed in war in Iran (2:03)
-Disney World guest, 54, died on iconic ride after suffering heart emergency
-Tragic: 5 die after people jump into river trying to save someone in the water
>NEW ENGLAND: Lindsay Clancy trial (1:27): Jury selection resumes after 5 seated
-Pamela Smart seeks new trial for 1990 murder of husband (3:22)
-Teacher and coach charged with O.U.I. and child endangerment
>COLLEGES: Clark's century-old Economic Geography sees jump in citation rankings
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): The 5 most expensive states to visit in 2026
-This Conn. amusement park was named most affordable in the U.S. (1:01)
>BUSINESS: Shrewsbury commercial landscaper acquired by New Jersey firm
-LPL Financial Research: China holds keys to post-war oil prices
-Shocking amount of Gen Z employees pretend to be productive at work: survey
>SHOPPING: Dollar Tree installs price scanners for surprising reason
>HOMES: Consumer Reports: Guest WiFi network can boost privacy, speed
>HEALTH: Humanoid robots complete historic surgery
-How many cups of coffee are safe to drink per day? (1:53)
>FOOD: Cyclospora outbreak: Taylor Farms test update, food safety (7:52)
-Mass. lettuce farm says its crop safe amid cyclospora fears (1:49). Article
>TV/STREAMING: Shocked Geena Davis addresses Netflix canceling "The Boroughs"
>MOVIES: "The Odyssey" reviews roundup: What critics are saying
>CELEBRITY: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s pals reveal new wedding details
-Brenda Fricker, "My Left Foot" Oscar-winning actress, dies at 81
>ANIMALS: Stray orange cat chooses his family and fits right in (1:44)
>HISTORY: These discoveries reshaped what historians knew about America's Founding Fathers
>GOOD NEWS: Cape Cod farm offers 20 years of opportunity for adults with disabilities (1:33). Article
-Meanwhile, in Idaho, man balances 195 rolls of toilet paper on his head for 30 seconds
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