Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+5:30: 40 new cases in Worcester, 1,239 total. Shrewsbury 107 (+2 cases), Grafton 41 (0), Holden 31 (0), Leicester 21 (+2). Press conference video (27:02)
+5:30: Baker leaves door open for Mass. businesses to reopen before end of June if cases, hospitalizations decline
+5:30: Number of child coronavirus patients growing in Mass. (1:50)
+12:45: Mass. schools closed for remainder of academic year
+12:45: Radio Worcester (16:42): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus gives a COVID-19 update (April 21)
+12:45: Radio Worcester (9:09): Chamber President & CEO Tim Murray talks expanded unemployment benefits
+9:45: CEO of St. V's owner touts focus on 'maximizing our cash position' amid furloughs
+9:45: Saint Vincent Hospital CEO shares thoughts, appreciation for hospital team, Worcester Community (6:41)
+9:45: Buck's Whiskey & Burger Bar donating 500 meals to frontline Workers
+7:30: Teachers union want Mass. schools to stay closed (1:10)
+7:30: At the office: North Carolina farm renting out animals to crash Zoom meetings
-28 new cases in Worcester, 1,199 total, Shrewsbury 105, Grafton 41 (+1), Holden 31 (+1), Leicester 19. Press conference video (26:21)
-This Week in Worcester's COVID-19 Information Center for Worcester
-Here's what reopening Worcester may look like
-Caravan for Caregivers at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester (:36)
-'Good Morning America' (1:54) -- 'I graduated early from medical school to help on the front lines,' UMass Medical School graduate
-New treatment approaches arising from virus fight in city
-Experts say it may be time for grocery stores to ban customers from coming inside
-Polar Seltzer giving away $2,500 a day this week to restaurant workers who use Instagram to list best item on their menus
-Assumption establishes $3M coronavirus relief fund for current, incoming students
-Six weeks in on being home and update from April 16 Worcester School Committee meeting from School Committee member Tracy O'Connell Novick (4:59)
-State totals: 1,809 deaths, 3,804 hospitalized, 1,566 new cases, 39,643 total, 169,398 tested. Story
-'Gig economy' workers can now apply for unemployment (1:47)
-Baker signs bill banning evictions, foreclosures during crisis
-Millions of homeowners delaying mortgage payments
-'We're right in the middle of the surge now.' Mass. at center of nationwide outbreak
-Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home increases to 62
-Heart damage emerges as another grim outcome of COVID-19’s range of complications
-Tragic: 5-year-old daughter of Detroit first responders dies after being diagnosed with coronavirus
-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: Worcester dinosaur shows off proper use of personal protective equipment
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Boulevard Diner unveils Free Little Pantry
In Other News
-Latest weather: Severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon
+5:30: Patriots trade Gronk to Tampa Bay
+5:30: Nova Scotia mass shooting: Death toll rises to 20 victims
+12:45: Tampa mayor tweets clarification that Tom Brady was 'sighted' in park, not 'cited'
+12:10: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
-Worcester man throws rocks at building, officer
-City leaders seek funds for budgetary shortfalls brought on by pandemic
-Local high school student's research published in scientific journal
-KrafTea Kombucha now available for curbside pickup or delivery
-ICYMI: Blarney Stone pub in Worcester appeals revocation of license
-Trash and recycling in Worcester will be delayed a day because of Patriot's Day
-Updated hours, senior hours for Worcester-area grocery stores
-Patriots unveil new uniforms ahead of 2020 season
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): 5 new Worcester houses for sale
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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