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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: Worcester, other districts manage return to schools amid surge
+6:00: How long before Omicron symptoms appear after exposure?
+6:00: U.S. sets new milestone with more than 1 million cases
+6:00: Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID lately?
-Massive lines await those just wishing to be tested in Worcester (2:06)
-'We have to do better': Residents shiver in frigid cold for hours to get test, officials seek more testing sites amid omicron 'log jam'
-Testing in Downtown Worcester scheduled 3 more days this week
-UMass Memorial says positivity rate has "skyrocketed" to around 30% during recent surge
-Worcester teachers' union says KN95 masks from state not good enough
-Worcester Public Schools staff receive rapid tests
-31,184 new cases, 39 additional deaths reported in Massachusetts
-Here's how the Omicron surge is different than previous surges in the U.S.
-Grafton Board of Health issues order mandating masks in all public space
-Massachusetts doctors weigh in on throat swab for testing
-Rapid omicron spread fuels statewide workforce crunch
-ER doctors in Massachusetts make plea amid breaking point
In The News
-Latest weather: 4" to 6" of snow possible Friday in early forecast
+6:00: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - January 4th
+6:00: Local singer premieres music video shot right before the pandemic in Los Angeles
+6:00: Radio Worcester (16:07): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus talks Omicron, testing, development and inauguration
+6:00: Radio Worcester (6:47): Worcester School Committee member Sue Mailman talks about inauguration
+6:00: Janice Harvey: No one seems enthusiastic for 2022
+6:00: New pets up for adoption in the Worcester area
+6:00: $50,000 Powerball winner sold in Webster
+6:00: More people leaving Massachusetts, fewer moving in, study says
+6:00: A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November
-Former St. Peter-Marian school site sold for $4.75 million
-Related: Diocese establishes fund to benefit Saint Paul Junior/Senior High
-Saint Vincent Hospital nurses approve new deal to end historic strike (2:35)
-Related: Reflecting on the longest nurses strike in Massachusetts history
-Worcester's inauguration highlights most diverse council, school committee in city’s history . Gallery (11 photos)
-Cold nights, uptick in COVID cases means full house at Hotel Grace
-Worcester youth violence down, Clark University study finds, but racial schism persists
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Worcester man donates Lego sets to kids with cancer
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Tuesday
-Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (36:03): Tequila Single Barrel Pick
-Politics and the City: Not a bad 2021 for Worcester, but what's next?
-Tribute to a talented jewelry designer who owned his own store for many years
-Tribute to a professor emeritus at Worcester State
-ICYMI: Worcester firefighters hit the ice in Toledo to honor fallen brothers
-Community raising funds for Worcester Assistant Principal hit with devastating health news
-The most read stories of 2021 on The 016
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury talks future athletic facilities projects
-Cannabis dispensary owners buy $4 million facility to open soon in West Boylston
-Nomination papers now available at Millbury Town Clerk's office
-Developer purchases Hardwick mill for $5 million cannabis project
-Sports: Worcester Bravehearts turning 2022 into TwentyTwentyYou (1:04)
-Oluchi Ezemma selected as Hilton Garden Inn Crusader of the Week
-Worcester Hockey Alumni highlights, week 12
-Belichick, teammates praise Mac Jones after team clinches playoff spot
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Anna Maria men's hoops team loves playing for Coach Conrad
-Planet Fitness welcoming newcomers with New Year's resolutions
-Cars: Happy Holidays from Bertera Nissan (2:04)
-Take a look at new 2022 Four Winds RV now in at Fuller RV in Boylston
-National: Powerball jackpot now $575 million after no winner last night
-Classic BlackBerry phones will stop working starting today
-New England: Carver boy who opened pantry that serves thousands is now battling leukemia
-Tragic: Mississippi officer responding to shooting finds her son dead
-Business: 39% of workers are looking to change jobs, survey finds
-Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes found guilty on 4 of 11 charges of fraud and conspiracy
-WBJ Economic Forecast: The year of biotech
-Homes: 5 new houses for sale in Worcester
-History: Pilgrim Church on Main Street in Worcester
-Animals: Guy rescues stray puppy and reunites her with brothers (3:18)
-TV/Streaming: 9 hidden gem shows from 2021 that were overlooked
-Movies: 6 must-see movies being released in January
-Celebrity: Vicki Lawrence reveals Betty White’s last word before death
-Meanwhile, in Tennessee, TikToker discovers abandoned '50s diner in perfect condition (:40)
Latest obituaries | | Monday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:08). High of 68 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+5:00: American Airlines restarts Philadelphia service to Worcester, replacing N.Y.C. nonstop
+5:00: Massport announces location of huge new solar field near Worcester Airport
+5:00: New Hampshire woman killed in crash on I-84 in Sturbridge
-Earlier: Serious crash on I-84 in Sturbridge brings Friday morning traffic to a halt
+5:00: The “210 Awards” for the Worcester Railers 2024-2025 season, part 1
+5:00: John Keough: 3 things I think about Tuesday night
+Noon: Investigation underway after fire destroys home in Millbury
+Noon: Worcester colleges slam ballot question that would sap their endowments
+Noon: It's Good Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: New movies on demand — "Captain America: Brave New World" and more
+Noon: Bad Religion, Pennywise set to headline Punk in the Park at Palladium
+Noon: Beyond Beer: Defunct Honey Bee Orchards new home for Ragged Hill Cider
+Noon: Keep the Faith: Considering the effects of Easter beyond Holy Week
-Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez to leave in June
-UMass Medical School lays off and furloughs 200 employees
-Earlier: Cuts will have irretrievable effects as UMass Medical School stands to lose $80 million, Gov. Healey says
-$100,000 lottery winner sold in Worcester
-Paul Revere lantern replica coming to Worcester City Hall
-State throws out License Commission's penalties against Worcester cigar bar
-Worcester reports 9 hate crimes in 2024, mostly nonviolent
-Mass. graduation requirements listening session in Worcester
-Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. will stop covering popular drugs for weight loss
>FAITH: Christians in Worcester practice their faith amid cultural, political divisions
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): 2 locals make Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Sushi restaurants (5:36)
-ICYMI: Federal cuts are about to cripple Central Mass. food pantries
-Where Worcester ranks among U.S. cities where a family making $100,000 can "still be broke"
-Pickleball push sparks discussion over Worcester court upgrades
-How Armenian-American Heritage Month was proclaimed
-Worcester getting a second Chick-fil-A
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Wachusett Echo: “Disconnect to Reconnect”
-NEW: Lamoureux Ford offers huge discounts! (2:53)
-Holden slated to get fiber internet
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Leominster woman arrested for stealing $38 in merchandise from Hannaford
-2 arrested after traffic stop leads to fentanyl trafficking bust in Shrewsbury
-TODAY! Shrewsbury Recreation Department Eggstravaganza
-David Prouty center court logo to be embedded in lobby floor
-Snow changes plans for Richards Library Book Sale
-Clinton election paper deadline is Friday
-Blackstone River tributaries in Sutton and Millbury graded
-Become a Salt Sleuth and clean up near the reservoir
-Bolton board will be a duo at least 'til fall
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Art at the Harold Stevens Gallery. hip-hop and more ...
-Call for vendors for 2025 Wednesdays on Water
>OPINION: Tracey Faraday: Finding the perfect balance in friendship & motherhood
-Unity Radio's Black in Business (52:47): Nataki Romeo, Cafe Romeo
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to career firefighter in Worcester
>SPORTS: Celtics enter playoffs embracing adversity, tougher path to repeating as NBA champs
-Bravehearts rolls out new menu for corporate outings
-Bravehearts introduce 2025 coaching staff
-Holy Cross football 2025 season ticket memberships on sale now
-WooSox throw combined no-hitter over 7 innings in doubleheader sweep
>CARS: Honda denies reported plan to shift production from Canada, Mexico to U.S.
>NATIONAL: 2 dead, 6 hospitalized after Florida State shooting; suspect in custody
-At least 4 tourists reported dead following devastating cable car crash in Italy
>TRAGIC: "Hero" deacon shot dead protecting others at church Easter egg hunt
>NEW ENGLAND: Militia memorializes 250th anniversary of Battle of Lexington (3:35)
-Assailant storms Mass. courthouse in gas mask, tactical gear and pepper sprays, assaults several victims: video
>COLLEGES: The WPI Podcast, Episode 6 (38:32): Global Projects Program at 50
-Holy Cross Policy and Politics Seminar hosts Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 9 of the most densely populated cities on Earth
>BUSINESS: M.B.I. welcomes 7 biotech startups to incubator facility in Worcester
-LPL Financial Research: Decent chance stock market bottom is in but far from certain
-What to know about paying down credit cards with personal loan (1:55)
>HOMES: Central Mass. home sales drop slightly, as price climb in Worcester County continues
>SHOPPING: Shein, Temu price hike — What shoppers need to know amid tariffs
>HEALTH: Dr. Mallika Marshall answers questions about measles outbreak (2:21)
-Heated workouts and hot yoga are all the rage. But are they actually good for you?
>FOOD: McDonald's Gold Card — What it is and how to get one
>TV/STREAMING: How to watch "Law and Order: Organized Crime" Season 5 on Peacock
>MOVIES: Who could be next James Bond amid Amazon shakeups: experts
>CELEBRITY: "Sopranos" star Lorraine Bracco is looking for love
>ANIMALS: Yes, your cat is ignoring you on purpose (1:48)
>HISTORY: 6 jobs from the 1950s that barely exist today
>GOOD NEWS: High school senior accepted to 7 Ivy League colleges: "I'm still processing it"
-Meanwhile, in Missouri, 309 people don banana hats to break world record at museum
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
+Part-time bartender, Patsie Dugan's
+Summer helpers (5), Holden D.P.W.
-Experienced cook, Shrewsbury Street restaurant
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