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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 (:32). High of 60 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Police investigating after man shot near Fitchburg State
+6:00: Tri-axle dump truck rollover shuts down road in Sutton
+6:00: Worcester unveils major redesign for busy College Street
+6:00: 168 students, staff honored at Worcester schools Special Education Celebration Of Success
+6:00: Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Message (1:42): Start of the fourth quarter
+6:00: Radio Worcester Roundtable (50:54): 5 big issues Worcester is talking about right now
+Noon: Mass. Pike traffic after semi crash on I-495 in Westborough
+Noon: State Police lieutenant back in court on perjury charge in Worcester recruit’s death
+Noon: Ex-Worcester food bank C.E.O. McMurray to receive social justice award
+Noon: "Handmaid's Tale" author Margaret Atwood to speak at Holy Cross
+Noon: A new arts epicenter: Creative Hub Worcester set to open at long last
+Noon: Last Call: Samantha Bucci, poet and poetry slam organizer
+Noon: First Person: For Joe Fusco Jr., remembering Mom brings laughs, stings
-Q.C.C. police officer has certification suspended after domestic violence charges filed
-Curtis Sliwa visits Worcester, and can't resist "glazing" local diner
-Think Derek Herman loves Worcester? He has the tattoos to prove it
-Could the old Dive Bar spot be pouring drinks again?
-When will the Denholm building be torn down? Developer agrees to timeline
-Inside the state's biggest office-to-residential conversion in Worcester (2:30)
-Worcester City Manager proposes $1.4 million tax break for housing project by Polar Park
-See compensation for all 8,363 City of Worcester employees
-Rift with Pope Leo "really unprecedented," says Holy Cross religious studies professor (2:42). Article
-Related: Worcester bishop issues statement
-How Audra Doody of Safe Exit Initiative is helping to change our world
-Worcester County Wonders: Setting the Revolution record straight
-Aislinn Doyle: April 16th School Committee meeting agenda preview
-Worcester Public Schools to hold April 15th community forum on school boundary and quadrant alignment project
>DINING OUT: The Broadway Restaurant
-ICYMI: Vigil held for 10-year-old killed by car in Webster (2:19). Article
-Related: Driver in fatal Webster crash was arrested week before for drug possession, police say (1:49)
-Before reporting to prison for hacking, former Assumption student from Sterling thanks F.B.I. for arresting him (3:25). Article
-No one in truck that was found in Leicester pond, police say (:20). Article
-"They’re lucky to be alive": 3 people hospitalized after tree crushes pickup truck in Princeton
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Wachusett Echo: Project Adventure – not just a physical workout
-Longtime customer praises Lamoureux Ford (3:29)
-This week's road closures and traffic delays
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Train hits vehicle at Clinton railroad crossing (:23)
-Overdose leads to 21-day suspension for Webster Boosters Club
-Barre firefighters respond to residential fire on Oak Street
-Another Oxford leader heads to Canton as Gifford named deputy chief
-Southbridge council denies Open Meeting Law claims, refers complaints to counsel
-Man charged after breaking into ex-girlfriend’s Leominster apartment through window
-Construction alert from the Millbury D.P.W.
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Wednesday
>SHOWTIME: Usher and Chris Brown announce tour, including August stop at Gillette Stadium
-Des Rocs to play Worcester in lead up to new album release
-Listen Up: Worcester musician Sam Femino eyes social media in new song
-Remembering "Voice of Clannad" Moya Brennan
-Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces 2026 inductees
>OPINION: Michael Garand: Why banking local means investing in Worcester's future
-What's Up Worcester's Minute with Meagan (13:17): Heather Cassani, owner, Wattson Home Solutions
-Unity Radio Unity in the Community (57:47): Michael Goldstein, owner, Empire Loan
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester woman who taught in the Worcester Public Schools for more than 35 years
>SPORTS: NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigns from The Athletic after photos with Mike Vrabel
-Related: Read Russini's full resignation letter
-No tailgating at Gillette Stadium during World Cup
-Celtics superlatives and awards: Most improved, biggest surprise and more
-Bruins beat Devils, 4-0
-Red Sox lose to Twins, 6-0
-Bravehearts announce Fireworks Friday dates
-Holy Cross names Scott Black assistant men’s soccer coach
-Coach Jon Ladino announces 2030 Holy Cross softball signing class
-Win WooSox tickets courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-WooSox lose to Nashville, 9-4
-33 Worcester runners set for Boston Marathon
>CARS: Ford C.E.O. Jim Farley warns Chinese car sales in U.S. would be "devastating"
>NATIONAL: Frightening new Yellowstone study sparks eruption fears
-Doctor accused of fatally removing organ from patient arrested for botched operation
-Tragic: Couple abused their 6 children, kept boy in dog kennel: officials
>NEW ENGLAND: Elderly homeowner trapped with "tenant from hell" (1:09)
-FedEx driver struck, killed by alleged drunken driver in Vermont, police say
>COLLEGES: Worcester State Professor Andrew Burkhardt connects Goddard’s legacy to modern discoveries
-Holy Cross President Rougeau on Commencement, leadership updates, the job market and more
-A.I. salon at Assumption brings students, faculty, staff and industry voices together for a dynamic conversation
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Why Antarctica is unlike any other travel destination
-8 states where the weather forecast is always wrong
>BUSINESS: New Disney C.E.O. announces 1,000 job cuts via email
-LPL Financial Research: The economy takes multiple shocks in stride
-What to expect from an I.R.S. business audit
-Lack of motivation, rejection stalls job searches for millions of unemployed Americans: survey
>HEALTH: Deaths from a silent disease have quadrupled among young U.S. women, study shows
-Man undergoes experimental treatment to prevent A.L.S. (2:59)
-W.S.C. Stay Connected (44:48): Somatic movement, with Emily Konstan
>HOMES: Central Mass. real estate transfers
>SHOPPING: Get a refund on this recalled Sam’s Club Christmas decoration
>FOOD: How good are the Polar Seltzer Summer flavors? (2:13)
>TV/STREAMING: Meryl Streep to star in "The Corrections" limited series adaptation
>MOVIES: Trailer for "Insidious: Out of the Further" (2:34)
>CELEBRITY: Alec Baldwin talks "Rust" prosecution health toll, retiring on podcast
-"Lost" star Matthew Fox reveals why he walked away from Hollywood at height of his stardom
>ANIMALS: Mama dog dumped at shelter walks herself into a better life (2:04)
>HISTORY: Abandoned "ghost towns" are scattered across Massachusetts
>GOOD NEWS: Mass. "sewer singer" gains TikTok fame for underground opera performances (2:31)
-Meanwhile, in Canada, video shows confused beaver wandering into store, getting stuck behind automatic doors
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