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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 (:40). High of 38 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+5:00: Thieves stole gutters from Worcester house while owner was home
+5:00: Death of Bob Weir sparks memories of Worcester's part in long, strange trip
+5:00: Planning winter entertainment in Worcester
+5:00: Worcester hockey alumni 2025-26 highlights, NHL Week 14
+Noon: 270-unit project at abandoned Spag's factory met with skepticism
+Noon: Central Mass. pizzeria reopens with explanation for abruptly closing
-No answers as cost of probe into death of State Police recruit from Worcester nears $700,000 (3:07). Article
-New year, new look, new amenities for W.R.T.A.
-Local restaurant makes Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Restaurant Legends (5:32)
-Worcester City Council returns with social media scrutiny, transit fights
-Worcester, Fitchburg aim for uniform, safe sober houses
-Worcester County Wonders: First state-run asylum dates back to 1832
-Newly obtained court docs detail what happened inside Leominster home after man murdered wife, autopsy findings
-$80,000 Keno ticket sold in Millbury
-Police oversight questions persist after Research Bureau report
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (23:33): Tom Marino defends reporting amid defamation lawsuit
>DINING OUT: Popular bakery chain seeks license for second Worcester location
-ICYMI: National Grid installs new underground cable to fix monthslong outage issues in Worcester
-"A very bad year": Here's what the flu numbers look like in Worcester
-Turtleboy factor: Aidan Kearney's influence on Karen Read case
-Venezuelan native in Worcester lauds capture of Maduro
-Some Worcester rents are falling ... really
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): This week's road closures and traffic delays
-Brew Biscuits in Holden making nutritious dog treats out of grains previously used in breweries (2:05)
-Lamoureux Ford welcomes Jeff Tripp from Sunnyside Motors (1:44)
-Fundraiser to help rebuild Ten West Market
-Ten West Market owner optimistic about return
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Hope Chapel in Sterling dedicates new sanctuary
-Clinton buildings coming together
-Clinton Select Board hears Bates family request to explore right-of-way access at town dump
-Indigenous culture celebration day coming to Grafton this summer
-Spanish-language congregation to move into historic church in West Boylston
-The Item's Neighbor to Neighbor column
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Monday
>SHOWTIME: Full list of winners and nominees at Golden Globes
-Golden Globes snubs and surprises
-Inside the Golden Globes: Everything you didn't see on TV
-World-renowned violinist to rehearse with J.O.M.P. students
>OPINION: Molly McCullough: For Worcester's schools, kids come first
-Maggie Calvetti: Someday they'll be grown & here's who i hope they become
-This Week in Worcester Podcast (2:18:34)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester man who had Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Mathematics
>SPORTS: Patriots defense shines in 16-3 Wild Card win over Chargers
-Patriots will play Steelers-Texans winner in AFC Divisional Round
-Bruins beat Penguins, 1-0
-Celtics star Jaylen Brown rips refs after loss to Spurs in Boston
-Holy Cross student-athletes record 3.39 G.P.A. during Fall 2025 semester
-100 FM The Pike (18:00): MassLive's Matt Vautour gives 2026 sports predictions
-Railers fall to Florida, 5-3
>NATIONAL: Ex-husband arrested in heinous double murder of slain dentist, wife
-Protests in Iran near the 2-week mark as crackdown intensifies
-Tragic: Dad killed 5 of his children over a decade
>NEW ENGLAND: Deadly house fire in Burrillville, R.I.
-From Lindsay Clancy to Turtleboy: 5 Mass. criminal cases to watch in 2026
>COLLEGES: "We depend on fungi for absolutely everything"
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Disney quietly changes course on controversial meal plan changes
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. business by the numbers
>SHOPPING: Samsung unveils "world's largest" TV of its kind at 130 inches
>HOMES: Laundry hacks you’ll wish you knew sooner
>HEALTH: Noom launches Proactive Health GLP-1 Program for long-term health
-Mass. mom fights for scalp cooling to be covered by insurance during chemo (2:06). Article
>FOOD: Your guide to a flavorful Dry January (4:34)
>TV/STREAMING: "The Simpsons" retires beloved character Duffman after 30 years
>MOVIES: 2026 new horror movie releases
>CELEBRITY: "High School Musical" star arrested on child pornography charges
-"Field of Dreams" and "West Wing" actor Timothy Busfield faces arrest warrant in child sex abuse case
>ANIMALS: Rescue dog does the cutest thing when she wants attention (2:00)
>HISTORY: Math, not myths: Inside the new search for Amelia Earhart
>GOOD NEWS: Lottery ticket rejected by another customer earns man $1 million
-Meanwhile, in Germany, watch 50 sheep escape shepherd, walk into grocery store
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