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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: Radio Worcester's Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Joe Petty (13:21): COVID, testing, schools, inauguration, housing and much more
+6:00: Can we really "ride out" the Omicron wave?
-Worcester, other districts manage return to schools amid surge
-Worcester Catholic school get tests
-Radio Worcester (16:07): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus talks Omicron, testing, development and inauguration
-Westborough brings back indoor mask mandate
-Auburn temporarily closes some town buildings to the public
-Grafton Municipal Center shuttered because of outbreak
-ICYMI: Massive lines await those just wishing to be tested in Worcester (2:06)
-Testing in Downtown Worcester scheduled 2 more days this week
-Mass. officials report more than 16,000 new cases, 94 deaths as positivity rate tops 21 percent
-Mass. reports more than 45,000 new breakthrough cases, 88 additional deaths
-U.S. sets new milestone with more than 1 million cases
-Omicron now accounts for 95% of new U.S. cases
-More than 100,000 people are hospitalized with COVID in the U.S. for the first time in months
-Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID lately?
-How long before Omicron symptoms appear after exposure?
-How will pandemic conclude? Omicron clouds forecasts for endgame
In The News
-Latest weather: Latest on Friday snow, black ice possible this morning, high in the mid 40s today in Worcester
+6:00: Kitchen fire displaces residents of Webster home
+6:00: Spencer Fire Department tanker skids off road in icy conditions
+6:00: Oxford family seeks answers on Beau Mann missing in LA since November
+6:00: Local news site announces shutdown
+6:00: Food: See the January menus for local specialty doughnut shops
+6:00: Animals: "They go ape over it" — discarded Christmas trees a delicacy for local goats
+6:00: Visit the latest 2 open houses in Worcester
+12:30: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - January 5th
+12:30: Guess Friday's snow total in Worcester, win $100 gift card
+12:30: 13 die in fire at Philadelphia rowhome converted into apartments
-Worcester store has 2nd $1 million lottery winner in 2 months
-Residents make it out of massive Charlton house fire overnight (:30)
-Murder at O'Connor's: Man facing trial in fatal stabbing pursues insanity defense
-Hanover Theatre performer reunited with stolen tap shoes
-More people leaving Massachusetts, fewer moving in, study says
-Cafe Neo hosting karaoke contest with $1,000 prize
-Local singer premieres music video shot right before the pandemic in Los Angeles
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Wednesday
-Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (36:03): Tequila Single Barrel Pick
-Community organizing essential to keeping Worcester clean
-Angels Net Foundation empowers and supports refugees and immigrants
-Janice Harvey: No one seems enthusiastic for 2022
-Radio Worcester (6:47): Worcester School Committee member Sue Mailman talks about inauguration
-Jim Coughlin: Inauguration of the newly elected members of City Council and School Committee
-Tribute to Worcester native and legendary Boston physician
-ICYMI: Former St. Peter-Marian school site sold for $4.75 million
-Cold nights, uptick in COVID cases means full house at Hotel Grace
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Holden nomination papers available
-Sterling honors Village Pizza's commitment to community
-Holden's budget could run into Wachusett costs
-Paxton search committee appointment pushed to January 10th
-$50,000 Powerball winner sold in Webster
-Sports: Bravehearts unveil fan-focused, fully interactive Twenty-Twenty-You
-Holy Cross football already looking forward to next season
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Bruins beat Devils, 5-3
-Jim Corsi, former Red Sox pitcher and Newton native, dies from cancer at 60
-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: Drivers stranded for 15+ hours on I-95 in Stafford County, Va.
-New England: Hero dog leads troopers to site of car crash, rescuing victims
-Police: 3 people, including 2 teens, broke into same Attleboro home twice in span of 7 hours
-Tragic: North Carolina state trooper accidentally kills his brother during traffic stop
-Business: Toyota is about to become the leader in U.S. auto sales for the first time
-Central Mass. cannabis dispensaries power through holiday rush
-Homes: Central Massachusetts towns with homes available below $350,000
-Shopping: Macy’s cuts store hours at all of its stores
-History: 1906 conceptual drawing of Union Station
-Animals: New pets up for adoption in the Worcester area
-New on DVD: Legendary monster haunts small town in "Antlers"
-Celebrity: Alec Baldwin addresses "Rust" tragedy in New Year’s video
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Shrewsbury students raise money for Red Cross following tornadoes
-Meanwhile, in Florida, watch as bears try to open the front door of home
Latest obituaries | | Tuesday'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
Latest obituaries | | Sunday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
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