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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 (:45). High of 41 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Worcester residents frustrated with snow cleanup: "Florida looks awful freakin’ good"
-Chaos erupts as Worcester officer becomes trapped in car (3:55)
-Worcester Police Department is down nearly 60 officers: "This is a real crisis"
-Worcester police union leader influenced offer in Haxhiaj case, assistant district attorney says
-UMass Memorial transfers transgender patients to new surgeons following abrupt cancellations
-Illegal dumping fines could jump to $1,000 in Worcester
-Worcester School Committee eyes C.R.P., data privacy
-Mass. accuses Barre public employee of double-dipping (3:20). Article
-Trash and recycling delayed by 2 days in Worcester
>DINING OUT: TODAY! Thrive Support and Advocacy fundraiser at 2 Chefs
-ICYMI: Complaint alleges Worcester pastor used investor money for lavish trips
-How many snow days has Worcester had this year? When will school end now?
-Worcester city councilors push for "city with no potholes" dream
-City councilors want police to speed up crackdown on traffic law violators
-Worcester councilor pushes for city investigation of Saint Vincent Hospital
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden police introduce new officer
-Trash and recycling pickup will be delayed a day this week
-Winter snow brings great values at Lamoureux Ford (2:00)
-Jazzed Up Duo at Val’s Friday and Saturday
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Man facing charges for allegedly kidnapping 13-year-old in Northborough
-A new development on Elizabeth Street in Shrewsbury?
-Heavy fire tears through home on Lakeshore Drive in Ashburnham
-2 vehicle rollovers in Grafton amid snowy conditions
-Charlton Select Board begins process to change town's health insurance after steep premium hikes
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
-100 FM The Pike (13:34): Is it a Seger bar? Brian Daly on his viral mission to find out
>SHOWTIME: Things to do: Sugar maples, Chris Fitz in concert, Midori and more ...
-100 FM The Pike (7:14): Worcester's Angelo Gray is making movies and singing his heart out
-Poet's Cauldron to welcome Ursula Rucker at BrickBox Theater
>OPINION: Owura Sarkodieh: In praise of embracing African identity
-Lindsey Ford: 5 practical tips to reset digital habits after winter break
-Holy Cross' Worcester Voices (31:12): Clark Professor Melinda Marchand about her Worcester experience
-What’s Up Worcester (21:43): Dominican Marketplace Committee interview | Jennie Guzman & Laura Martinez
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester girl who tragically passed away at 13
>SPORTS: A.J. Brown stirs Patriots buzz as trade rumors begin to swirl again
-Bruins beat Columbus, 4-2
-Holy Cross women's ice hockey hosts New Hampshire in Hockey East Quarterfinals
-Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall Of Fame announces 2026 inductees
-The Olympic break sees many former Worcester pros at the top of their leagues
>NATIONAL: F.B.I. makes final sweep of Nancy Guthrie's house in sign investigation has hit a dead end
-Bikini-clad women pictured with Stephen Hawking in Epstein files were his carers, family claims
-Tragic: Grandfather kidnapped from his bed and murdered in case of mistaken identity, police say
>NEW ENGLAND: Woman, 2-year-old girl recovering after home explosion (1:29)
-Malden High School girls' basketball coach charged with raping student (1:38). Article
>COLLEGES: WPI Podcast, Episode 27 (33:26): A.I. at WPI, with Elke Rundensteiner and Yunus Telliel
-Clark student Skye Donaldson paints mural in Goddard Library to inspire
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): These 4 popular national parks announce plans for 2026 visitor reservations
-Norwegian Cruise Line slammed over dining dress code change: "Idiotic rule"
>BUSINESS: Twitter founder Jack Dorsey cuts 4,000 jobs from Block in A.I. pivot
-LPL Financial Research: LPL Research’s 2026 strategic asset allocation
-Paramount wins bidding war for Warner Brothers Discovery
>HOMES: Central Mass. home sales slow to start 2026
>HEALTH: "Boredom challenge" could have benefits for your brain (:18)
>FOOD: The pistachio bread recipe you "knead" to try (7:57)
>TV/STREAMING: Anderson Cooper leaving "60 Minutes" in latest CBS staff shakeup
>MOVIES: 25th anniversary trailer for "The Mummy" (:31)
>CELEBRITY: The real reason behind Cardi B and Stefon Diggs' split revealed
-Wu-Tang Clan founding member Oliver "Power" Grant dies at 52
>ANIMALS: Disabled lamb becomes her dad’s wedding ring bearer (1:54)
>HISTORY: Storm comparison: Blizzard of '78 vs. Blizzard of '26 (6:22)
>GOOD NEWS: Kidney donor braves blizzard for Boston transplant surgery (1:52)
-Meanwhile, in Florida, deer crashes into home through living room window
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