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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
-UMass Medical School hosting at-home test study
-Governor Baker says staffing primary barrier to greater testing
-U.S. children hospitalized with COVID in near-record numbers
-As U.S. hits record high case numbers, expert says Omicron surge is "unlike anything we've ever seen"
-Omicron accounts for 59% of new U.S. cases
-Grafton Public Library suspends programming because of COVID jump
-ICYMI: Amid surge, Downtown Worcester restaurant closes until January 5th
-UMass Memorial CEO: Peak of hospitalizations coming by second week of January
-Mass. officials report more than 21,000 new cases as positivity rate jumps to 16 percent
-Less than half of vaccinated Mass. residents have received a booster
-Massachusetts preparing to distribute rapid tests, masks to teachers
-Of 41,000 state workers, nearly 1,000 left over vaccine mandate
-FDA authorizes new at-home tests as demand surges nationwide
-FDA expected to authorize boosters for kids 12-15
-J&J booster 85% effective against hospitalizations
In The News
-Latest weather: Dense fog in the morning, mild, temperatures in the 40s today in Worcester
+4:00: Bill Shaner: Shady groups sink their claws into Saint Vincent as strike nears close
+4:00: 5 Great Ways to Spend New Year's Eve in Worcester
+4:00: Comedy icon, "Golden Girls" actress Betty White dies at 99
+4:00: Ring in the New Year with Netflix's New Year's Countdown 2022
+4:00: Four Year Strong return home for the holidays with powerful Palladium set
+4:00: 21 best, funniest memes of 2021
-The most read stories of 2021 on The 016
-Lexus engulfed in flames in Worcester parking garage left car toasted, garage scorched
-After more than 40 years, Worcester man reunited with his biological family
-Saint Vincent Hospital strike likely cost over $40 million
-Boulevard Diner resumes night shift on weekends
-The most expensive property sold in Worcester in 2021
-WRTA shifts New Year's Eve schedule because of a lack of bus drivers
-New Year’s weekend events at Worcester Common Oval
-Ricky Duran performs exclusive set in Worcester
-Celebrate "Noon Year's Eve" at EcoTarium
-Chill out over school vacation with EcoTarium's Fire and Ice week
-New Year's Eve plans? Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for New Year's Eve
-NEW! Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (36:03): Tequila Single Barrel Pick
-Champagne shortage could make some labels hard to find for New Year's
-Worcesteria: Saying goodbye to arts scene fixtures Kelly Momberger, Fernando Perez and others
-Rosalie Tirella: This holiday season, a pocket full of memories
-Ray Mariano: State and federal lawmakers should live by the laws they pass
-Worcester Police Department to receive $250,000 from state for body-worn cameras
-Artist Spotlight: Kristi Xhelili
-Burncoat High graduate Adael Mejia Worcester's next youth poet laureate
-Tribute to the owner of multi-generational family business in Worcester
-ICYMI: 2 Housing Authority employees honored for saving a life
-Remembering First Night Worcester on what would have been its 40th year
-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): Bomba family sells Harrington Farm in Princeton for $6.4 million
-Rathi resigns from Grafton School Committee
-Holden to host Christmas Tree chipping program on January 8th and 15th
-Amazon buys 93-acre Westborough business park
-Petersham Police Chief retires after 3 decades of service
-Sports: Patriot Brandon Bolden reveals 2018 cancer diagnosis
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Bryant’s Lewis Barnum returning to Bravehearts
-Pirates add Custer to coaching staff
-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: JetBlue canceling more than 1,000 flights through mid-January
-U.S. unemployment claims drop to 198,000
-Colleges: Clark graduate student looks to transform WRTA
-National: Colorado wildfires burn hundreds of homes, force evacuations
-New England: Mass. minimum wage rising to $14.25 per hour on Saturday
-Tragic: Father mistakes daughter for intruder, fatally shoots her
-Shopping/Deals: Save big during the Walmart after-Christmas sales event
-Homes: 4 new properties for sale in Worcester
-Movies: 2021 was Worcester's busiest film-making year yet
-Celebrity: Palace didn't want Elton John to sing at Princess Diana's funeral
-Animals: Mama dog wags her tail at man saving her puppies (3:07)
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Teen honored for saving her co-worker's life at Walmart
-Meanwhile, in California, 2,000-pound cow charges cop who tried to herd it off highway
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's 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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