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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: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:36). High of 60 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+Noon: The end of an era for Pecorino Cheese Shop, set to close July 31st
+Noon: Things to Do: Christine Ohlman, Speak Easy Story Night and more
+Noon: Highlights and history mark Denholm Building exhibit
+Noon: Poetry Town: "Empty Chairs" by Ronald C. McGilvray
+Noon: First Person: Joe Fusco Jr. brings jokes to Mass as saints listen in
+Noon: Tracking Patriots' schedule leaks with dates and times
-Worcester pastor accused of fraud shuns testimony in bankruptcy case
-Worcester fox attack leads to rabies treatment, public health questions
-Holden man recalls time in quarantine unit now used for hantavirus
-READ: Worcester-area complaints to F.C.C. about Super Bowl halftime show
-Weekly farmers market in Worcester opens Sunday
-UMass Medical School students launch summer camp for Worcester high schoolers interested in careers in medicine
-Worcester nonprofit leader Ron Waddell announces run for state Rep.
-Burncoat High School launches feasibility study for possible new school project
-Out to Lunch set to return to Worcester Common with new musical acts
-Check out this McDonald's-themed cake from Worcester bakery
-Last Call: Retired astronaut and researcher Al Sacco Jr. keeps looking up
-18 new condos on Elm Street are for sale. Take a look inside
-2 dogs found at Hope Cemetery in Worcester, 1 found on Belmont Street
>DINING OUT: Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Globally Inspired Restaurants (5:23)
-ICYMI: Victim of fatal Worcester pedestrian crash was beloved firefighter
-Police body camera video shows moments after child fell from window in Worcester
-Worcester cybersecurity firm issues warning over financial future
-Controversial 288-unit Worcester housing project in limbo after zoning request withdrawn
-Worcester airport director to retire after 18 years
-Popular true crime podcast examines 2017 Worcester murder
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Town warns that door‑to‑door solar sales aren't affiliated with Light Department
-Lamoureux Ford wins record 29th Ford President's Award (4:16)
-$35 million sewer settlement will not offset $5.5 million override, officials say
-Official results: Voters pass Proposition 2 1/2 override
-Related: Message from Town Manager Peter Lukes
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): House arrest for ex-Westminster postal worker who hid bathroom camera
-Spencer man arrested for pulling knife on Leicester Walmart employee, threatening to slit cop's throat
-Candidates thank voters after Shrewsbury election wins
-Endangered Central Mass. school gets to stay open — for now
-Grafton Town Meeting approves override vote on town ballot
-Hear from the Grafton School Committee candidates in lead-up to Election Day
-Stephen Koronis named Charlton Select Board Chairman
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Thursday
>SHOWTIME: Between The Buried And Me to rise again at Palladium
-Chance the Rapper, Lainey Wilson among Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular performers (1:42)
-WPI Professor Michelle Ephraim’s memoir shortlisted for international literary prize
>OPINION: Tiffany Williams: Worcester is trying to build a modern city while still operating in the past
-Mary C. DeSouza: Parenting as a part of spring's natural flow
-WCCA-TV's Senior Speak No. 934 (28:01): Donald Perron, Part 2
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (26:08): Viral McDonald’s video, city budget hearings and public safety concerns
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:12): Worcester’s future, from Union Station to housing
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Vietnam veteran and former senior Worcester building inspector
>SPORTS: Patriots returning to Germany for international game against Lions
-Patriots rookie arrested on assault charge
-Red Sox beat Phillies, 3-1
-Win WooSox tickets courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-WooSox beat Buffalo, 6-2
>NATIONAL: U.S. wholesale inflation came in hot last month
-South Carolina Supreme Court overturns murder convictions and life sentence for Alex Murdaugh
-Tragic: Video shows Frontier Airlines plane striking person on runway in Denver (2:14)
>NEW ENGLAND: Man goes viral for comments over Marblehead housing plan (1:44)
-Mass. looks to ban social media, but experts, even advocates, are skeptical
>COLLEGES: 6 Worcester State students win Library Research Awards
-African Diaspora Dance Association at Clark brings students together for shared culture and rhythm
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Experts reveal simple ways to avoid outrageous baggage fees
>BUSINESS: ComputerVault joins Advans IT in filing for bankruptcy
-LPL Financial Research: A new Fed regime: Warsh, policy direction and treasury market consequences
-Radio Worcester (21:07): Why fundraising for life sciences startups is so difficult in 2026
>HOMES: Home sales barely budge in April as spring buying season off to disappointing start
>HEALTH: How having a baby affects mom's heart (2:50)
-Why younger adults are rethinking alcohol (2:48)
>FOOD: Salmonella contamination recalls: List of products
>TV/STREAMING: Late-night hosts crash "Colbert," he reveals which A-list actress he was "wildly attracted" to
>MOVIES: "Grown Ups 3" in the works at Netflix
>CELEBRITY: Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt's "Devil Wears Prada 2" salaries revealed
-James Van Der Beek's widow shares heartbreaking life update 3 months after actor's death
>ANIMALS: These baby squirrels never forgot who saved them (1:58)
>HISTORY: Princeton fighter plane has had a long journey over the decades
>GOOD NEWS: Wrong way crash survivor reunites with deputies who saved her
-Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Hollywood stars' free gas stunt sparks pandemonium at station
Latest obituaries | | Wednesday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
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