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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: Mostly sunny and windy, high in the 40s today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Rapper turned host Joyner Lucas feeds the hungry before Thanksgiving
-Shrewsbury woman leads Thanksgiving turkey drive for almost 300 families (4:25). Article
-Parents of Worcester teen Harris Wolobah explain why he was so special
-Area senior has become leader in adopted home after family fled civil war (2:27). Article
-Do you know this guy? Worcester police would like a word
-Cyber attack brings down AlertWorcester, notifications across the U.S.
-Lots of holiday concerts and shows on tap right after Thanksgiving
-What's the best diner in Worcester? Vote in round 3
-Holiday conversations: How to set boundaries
-What's open, what's closed on Thanksgiving
-Why are liquor stores closed on Thanksgiving in Mass.? (2:05)
-Grocery stores are not open on Thanksgiving in Mass. Here's why
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:37): Worcester recount confirms results, sparks debate on future political landscape
>DINING OUT: These Worcester restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day
-Where to find Thanksgiving meals in Worcester
-Restaurant reservations spike for Thanksgiving as grocery store prices bite
-ICYMI: Fire inside Worcester school forces student evacuation
-Patriots players help hand out turkeys at Worcester restaurant
-Worcester City Council delays tax rate discussion, decision for second week
-Gov. Healey hands out Firefighter of the Year awards at Mechanics Hall (:54). Article
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Traffic advisory for this morning's Turkey Trot
-Unique Happy Thanksgiving wishes from Lamoureux Ford (:29)
-$60 case deal at Seven Saws Brewery
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Traffic advisory for Leicester-David Prouty football game
-3 years after fire leveled Truth Organic Spa in Grafton, a revival
-Auburn Police Department Stuff-a-Cruiser event on Saturday
-Millbury voters approve override for school roof projects
-Sutton police swear in new patrolman
-Sheriff's officer from Grafton honored at Sheriffs' Association Awards
-The Item's Neighbor to Neighbor column
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Thursday
-Best dive bars in America? Locally loved spots worth the road trip
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Mo Rocca, "Christmas by Candlelight" and more ...
-Careerlong social worker publishes first poetry book
-Last Call: Q.C.C. student Ashley Lester shares strength, inspiration in song
>OPINION: Shaun Connolly: What I'm thankful for
-Rosalie Tirella: Worcester Canal District: More and more homeless people
-Unity Radio's Unity in the Community (54:01): Teri Frykenberg, founder, Nurse Advocate Entrepreneur
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Vietnam veteran who worked for the city for over 30 years
>SPORTS: Patriots place Will Campbell on Injured Reserve
-Could Patriots lean into "quick game" with offensive linemen sidelined?
-NFL Week 13 schedule, TV and announcers
-Celtics beat Pistons, 117-114
-Holy Cross men's basketball team beats Worcester State, 77-53
-Holy Cross men's hockey team falls to No. 8 Quinnipiac, 7-6, in overtime
-Predicting the winner of every Thanksgiving High School football game in Central Mass.
>NATIONAL: 2 National Guard members shot in attack blocks from the White House
-Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 55 as apartment complex burns into second day
-Tragic: Man dies after getting stuck in clothing donation box
>NEW ENGLAND: Why do so many Mass. cities and towns have a money problem? (2:36)
-12-year-old Maine student killed by school bus
>COLLEGES: Explaining schoolwork to your family at dinner (:57)
-Anna Maria Esports Director’s Corner
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 5 of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the U.S.
-This airline is ending the carry-on check every traveler hates
>BUSINESS: Local bank names former W.H.A. executive as inaugural chief human resources officer
-LPL Financial Research: Corporate America cleared a high bar this earnings season
-Why does Mass. allow these jobs to be work from home? (1:10)
>SHOPPING: 41 best Walmart Black Friday deals at unbelievably low prices
-Radio Worcester (9:33): 12 Scams of the Holidays, Part 1
>HOMES: See the lower median price for October home listings in Worcester County
>HEALTH: Medicare announces lower cost for Ozempic, Wegovy, more drugs
-Woman's lifelong birthmark becomes deadly cancer, doctor explains how
>FOOD: Experts at Butterball are on standby for turkey questions (2:07)
-Sweet potato or pumpkin? The Thanksgiving pie debate
-Generations-old family recipes still rule the Thanksgiving table, new survey reveals
-Cooking a ham for Thanksgiving? Here's everything you need to know
>TV/STREAMING: Where to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
-"Dancing With the Stars" Season 34 champions revealed
-"Stranger Things" Season 4 recap (4:33)
>MOVIES: Here's Macaulay Culkin's idea for a "Home Alone" sequel
>CELEBRITY: Here's what Sean "Diddy" Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell are set to be served for Thanksgiving behind bars
-Meryl Streep and Martin Short fuel romance rumors at Tom Hanks' play
>ANIMALS: Chicken thinks she's just one of the dogs (1:31)
>HISTORY: Exploring Thanksgiving's weird folklore: Myths and legends (29:21)
>GOOD NEWS: Hunter declines call from his son, wins $1.1 million online lottery prize
-Meanwhile, trending on TikTok: Is bone broth the secret to glowing skin?
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