Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+7:30: 53 new cases in Worcester, 963 total, Shrewsbury 103 (+8 cases), Grafton 39 (+4), Holden 29 (+0), Leicester 17 (+2). Press conference video (33:23)
+7:30: Worcester will order customers to wear face coverings at grocery stores, essential businesses
+7:30: State totals: 137 new deaths, 1,245 total, 2,263 new cases, 32,181 total, 140,773 tested
+7:30: Baker: Residents can expect decision on extending statewide stay-at-home advisory, school closures in near future
+7:30: 102,828 in Mass. file for unemployment, new claims down 26% from last week
+7:30: All N.H. schools will continue remote learning for rest of school year
+7:30: Small business relief program runs out of money
+2:45: Quinn's Irish Pub launches 'Food for the Front Line' initiative
+12:10: COVID-19 in Central Mass: Remembering those who have died
+12:10: Every country must meet 6 conditions before stay-at-home orders can be safely lifted
+12:10: Navy may reinstate USS Theodore Roosevelt captain
+8:05: Worcester health centers face critical PPE shortage
+8:05: COVID-19 Heroes -- Life as a Saint V's PCA during pandemic
-42 new cases in Worcester, 910 total, Shrewsbury 95 (no new cases), Grafton 35 (+2), Holden 29 (+1), Leicester 15 (+0). Press conference video (26:05)
-Ch. 4: Exclusive look inside UMass Memorial's coronavirus testing lab (1:59)
-‘The surge is here,’ Worcester ICU beds being filled
-St. Vincent Hospital nurses face furloughs
-WPI research finds SARS drugs could treat coronavirus
-Worcester music clubs deal with pandemic crisis
-Worcester Airport receives $1.3 million in federal funds
-Worcester Creative Relief Fund distributes $35,000 to local artists
-Turn seltzer bottles into protective masks? Polar Beverages co-owners got you
-Father of UMass Memorial nurse surprises daughter with thoughtful gesture
-Donations help fuel Sir Loin Catering's free takeout service
-State totals: 151 new deaths, 1,108 total, 1,755 new cases, 29,918 total, 132,023 tested
-Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers Home now at 47
-Stimulus check payments: Online banking down for many
-No, you do not have to repay your coronavirus relief checks
-Social distancing may be here until 2022, Harvard study says (:28)
-U.S. retail sales see biggest drop ever
-This is where all 50 states stand on reopening U.S. economy
-Dr. Fauci: How sports can return in U.S.
-ICYMI: 59 prisoners have been released from Worcester County jails because of coronavirus concerns
-ICYMI: Police, firefighters pay tribute to Worcester health care workers with parade (5:33)
-Not too early to start making plans for when this is over. 52 RVs for rent you can tour online at Fuller RV Rental & Sales
-On the lighter side: Cops in Maryland remind people to wear pants outside amid lockdown
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Auburn Police buy meals from Worcester restaurant for UMass Memorial nurses
In Other News
-Latest weather: Snow ... yes, snow
+7:30: Red Sox' anger mounts over MLB's stalled 2018 investigation
+2:45: Last brother of Worcester's famed musicians, Jerry Loconto, dies
+8:05: Worcester's Doherty High School project moves on to schematic design phase
+8:05: Worcester's Mulcahy Field to get a face-lift
-Worcester Police find SUV involved in hit and run, work to ID driver
-Worcester bar warned by state
-Worcester schools raising money to provide students Chromebooks for remote learning
-Worcester Housing Authority completes second phase $13.5 million energy efficiency project
-Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
-Video captures massive paper mill explosion in Maine (warning: language)
-Shopping: Best TV deals, LG, Vizio, Samsung and more
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): Apartments for rent in Worcester: What will $1,700 get you?
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:05). High of 20 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Suspects in fatal shooting on Dorchester Street in Worcester caught in Fitchburg
-Worcester reports fewer shootings in 2024, despite jump in homicides
-What nurses say must improve at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester
-5 townhouse units planned for Austin Street in Worcester
-Why so many Mass. breweries are closing (and what you can do about it)
-Worcester Community Housing Resources taps established executive as new leader
-Holiday travel rush continues (2:08). Article
-Worcester forum explores M.C.A.S. results and educational equity
-Worcester wants input on where to put new trash/recycling bins
-Radio Worcester (24:05): Worcester Police Union leaders respond to D.O.J. report
-Earlier: Boston Globe: Federal lawsuits lay out D.O.J. allegations against Worcester police
-Radio Worcester (17:50): Mayor Petty addresses City Council meeting amid heated debate
-Radio Worcester (19:13): City Manager Batista addresses D.O.J. report, legal strategy
>FAITH: Holy Cross professor — At Hanukkah, a celebration of eternal light − from desert tabernacle to synagogues today
>DINING OUT: Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Unique Eateries (5:13)
-ICYMI: Midday snow delivers string of crashes in Central Mass.
-Woman struck by a car in crosswalk in Worcester
-At court hearing, 2 different pictures of fatal Worcester shooting
-Worcester D.P.W. chief Robert L. Moylan Jr. to end interim stint
-Worcester's Union Station listed among 6 of the Most Beautiful Amtrak Stations in America
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Wachusett Echo — Fantastic freshmen on varsity sports teams
-Christmas Greetings from Everyone At Lamoureux Ford (:49)
-Mountview Middle School honor roll
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Southbridge day care worker admits to abusing child (2:01)
-Barre ambulance and Verizon utility truck collide on Route 62
-Botched drug deal at Leominster group home ends with arrest of 2 women
-Rutland police to hold car seat check-up on Monday
-Auburn wants feedback on possible regionalization of 911 services
-Shrewsbury Select Board updates (:35)
-Grafton Middle School teachers honored for "Promising Practices"
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Sunday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Candlelight tours, wrestling and holiday choral music
-Spotify's Top 10 most-streamed holiday tracks of all time revealed
-At Holy Cross, "Sojourners" captures the immigrant experience in 1970s America
>OPINION: Tom Marino: 9 years of Public Safety Committee ignoring police discipline
-Laura McCarthy-Ha: Simplifying gift-giving in a big family
-Laurelle Farrell: Lessons in a hair style…bangs
-WCCA-TV's This Is Worcester No. 211 (28:23): Sports, Sports, Sports!
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to an "accomplished and admired singer/ songwriter/ musician" born in Worcester
>SPORTS: Patriots fans will love Josh Allen’s take on Drake Maye’s future
-Van Pelt doubles down on not calling Maye runs after criticism
-NFL Week 16 schedule, TV and announcers
-Celtics beat Bulls, 123-98
-Bruins beat Sabres, 3-1
-Rickey Henderson, Baseball Hall of Famer and league's all-time stolen bases leader, dies at 65
-Railers beat Maine, 5-1
>NATIONAL: 2 Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent "friendly fire" incident
-Grandparent caregiving declines amid pandemic changes
-Tragic: Grandmother, 80, dies after getting trapped in Sleep Number bed for 2 days: lawsuit
>NEW ENGLAND: State police say Friday's storm caused 200 crashes across state (:22)
-Hypothermic hiker rescued by helicopter in White Mountains (:27)
>COLLEGES: Assumption Professor Cinzia Pica named Visiting Scholar at Harvard
-Anna Maria AMCAST (50:10): Holiday Movies 2.0
-Clark professor gives lecture on what it means to be a feminist in wartime
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Waldorf-Astoria insists hotel will reopen in spring
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. business by the numbers
-Financial planning for parents’ assisted living
>HOMES: Tips for moving
>SHOPPING: Cozy gifts your mom will love this holiday season (4:04)
-Holiday gift ideas from unique local businesses across Mass. (4:58)
>HEALTH: Expert explains possible risks, benefits of raw milk (2:49)
-Dr. Todd Ellerin on vaccines and their impact on children (3:40)
>FOOD: Taco Bell unveils new menu item
>TV/STREAMING: Trailer for new Netflix doc, "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action" (2:21)
>MOVIES: "Barbie 2" in early stages with Greta Gerwig returning to write
>CELEBRITY: James Kennedy arrested for domestic violence weeks after getting fired from "Vanderpump Rules"
>HISTORY: City Hospital, circa 1907
>ANIMALS: Dog becomes mama to a litter of tiny rescue kittens (1:42)
>GOOD NEWS: Man with a rare tumor was told he had months to live. Now, he's cancer-free
-Meanwhile, Mariah Carey fans get into a wild fight at Christmas concert: "On the naughty list"
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