Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+8:45: Dramatic jump in number of new cases because of issue with state database. 206 new cases in Worcester, 1,445 total. Press conference video (33:28)
+8:45: Radio Worcester (11:46): Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Petty: School year done, COVID-19 and budget
+8:45: Radio Worcester Chamber Radio Blast with Tim Murray & Alex Guardiola (18:50): New financial relief for small businesses
+8:45: Mass. releases new town-by-town data
+8:45: UMass Memorial establishes COVID-19 triage unit
+8:45: State totals: 1,205 long-term care deaths, 2,182 overall, 1,745 new cases, 42,944 total, 180,462 tested
+8:45: Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home increases to 66
+8:45: Should haircutting businesses be essential? Baker responds (4:02)
+8:45: Many Mass. residents working from home are drinking on the clock, survey finds
+8:00: Boston mayor says lifting restrictions could be months away (1:25)
+8:45: WCCA-TV's 'Daily Breaking' (13:28): Paula Bushey, Treasurer, Mustard Seed Catholic Worker
+8:45: Most Americans want more economic stimulus
+8:00: CDC warns of a possibly worse outbreak this winter
+8:00: First COVID-19 death in U.S. now believed to have been on Feb. 6
+8:00: Hair salon owners petition to be essential business
-40 new cases in Worcester, 1,239 total. Press conference video (27:02)
-Central Mass. city and town COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday
-UMass Memorial nurses make tough phone calls to coronavirus-positive patients
-30% increase in ventilated patients at UMass Memorial since Friday
-UMass Memorial doctors desperate for plasma donors (1:37)
-Local mother taking precautions before giving birth during pandemic
-Worcester consolidating shelters for homeless population who do not have coronavirus
-UMass Medical School uses partnership with Chinese university to secure PPE donations
-CEO of St. V's owner touts focus on 'maximizing our cash position' amid furloughs
-Saint Vincent Hospital CEO shares thoughts, appreciation for hospital team, Worcester Community (6:41)
-Radio Worcester (16:42): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus gives a COVID-19 update (April 21)
-Radio Worcester (9:09): Chamber President & CEO Tim Murray talks expanded unemployment benefits
-ICYMI: Here's what reopening Worcester may look like
-Mass. schools closed for remainder of academic year
-State totals: 1,059 long-term care deaths, 1,961 total, 1,556 new cases, 41,199 total, 175,372 tested
-Baker leaves door open for Mass. businesses to reopen before end of June if cases, hospitalizations decline
-Number of child patients growing in Mass. (1:50)
-Man dies from coronavirus after calling it political ploy (:49)
-U.S. needs to 20M tests per day to fully reopen: report
-McDonald's offering free meals to healthcare workers as 'thank you
-Thinking of dyeing your hair during quarantine? Here's what stylists want you to know
-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
-At the office: North Carolina farm renting out animals to crash Zoom meetings
-On the lighter side: Here's what everybody needs to be doing right now (3:32)
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Buck's Whiskey & Burger Bar donating 500 meals to frontline workers
In Other News
+8:45: Worcester County home, condo prices soar in March
+8:45: Worcesteria: The home team steps up
+8:45: Bravehearts launched third Piece of Our 'Hearts song scramble
+8:00: Peppercorn's introduces Family Meal Package
+8:10: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
-Reminder: 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 trade Gronk to Tampa Bay
-Nova Scotia mass shooting: Death toll rises to 22 victims
-Shopping: Best Sephora Beauty Insider sale deals
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): On the market, a Grand Chateau inspired by Versailles in Worcester
-On the lighter side: Lost pig sends Conn. police on 45-minute pursuit (Video)
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:27). High of 48 today in Worcester
-How much total snow is Massachusetts forecast to get this winter? (6:11). Article
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Man dies from injuries suffered in Worcester shooting that also claimed life of woman
-Earlier: Neighbors shocked after woman killed in Worcester shooting; man also injured (1:46). Article
-Earlier: Woman dead, man injured in Worcester shooting (:59). Article
+6:00: Northbridge animal control officer mistakes dog for coyote, shoots and kills it (1:56). Article
+6:00: 100FM The Pike (6:28): The Pike Breakdown Lane
+6:00: Radio Worcester (8:15): Former Worcester City Councilor Sean Rose announces at-large bid
+Noon: Sarah Connell Sanders: "Compassionate care" is front and center at UMass' Maternity Center
+Noon: Stolen stained-glass window returned to Worcester Art Museum
+Noon: Magic of "The Nutcracker" ballet is returning to Worcester
+Noon: Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making weekend plans
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
-John Piccolo, popular Worcester restaurant owner, charged in City Hall attack
-Earlier: Activist sprayed with paint outside City Council meeting; suspect is Worcester restaurateur (2:10). Article
-Tensions boil over as Worcester board grills developer over Polar Park project delays
-Earlier: Worcester councilors frustrated by stalled plans for development around Polar Park
-To meet housing crisis, report finds Gateway Cities need twice as much construction
-Former District 1 City Councilor Sean Rose announces at-large run
-18 months after surprise inspection, Community Healthlink not back to normal operations
-76 become new citizens at naturalization ceremony in Worcester
-Losses mourned, lives celebrated at emotional Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony
-Mass. says some police officers have been bypassing required training (3:06). Article
-Earlier: Worcester probing 27 officers state says fast-forwarded mandatory online training
-Worcester County Wonders: Shrewsbury woman rescues raptors one feather at a time
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (24:35): Breaking down the Polar Park deficit
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:19): Polar Park, tax rolls and deportation debate
>DINING OUT: Brazillian Burguer to open at former Shrewsbury Street donut shop
-ICYMI: Worcester-area Stop & Shop inventory limited after cyberattack
-David Crowley, part of family that runs Wachusett Mountain, dies at 69
-Man in late 60s, 2 cats killed in early morning condo fire in Leominster
-Charles Luster, co-founder of Uncommonwealth Group, running for Worcester City Council
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden tax rate drops, bills rise
-Long-term employees make it fun to own a car or truck from Lamoureux Ford (3:50)
-Wachusett Echo Teacher Profile: Chelsea Blasco
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury seeks plow drivers for winter season
-Grafton tax rate down, values up for fiscal 2025
-Board approves single tax rate for all types of property for Sutton
-The Item's calendar of events
-Clinton E.L.P.A.C. hosts holiday family potluck
-2 Berlin firefighters graduate from academy
-Nashoba Class of 2004 to hold 20-year reunion on November 29th
-Organization gets federal grant for new grocery store in Winchendon
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Five Things to Do: African Talent, "Songs of the Season," and more
-Fractal Tribe art collective set to bring light to holiday festival
-Hunting phantoms, talking puppets bring humor to stage Friday and Saturday
-Jim & Val bring Second Saturdays to Apple Tree Arts
-WCCA-TV's Soapbox No. 1354 (28:06): Mark Henderson, Founder, The 016
-39th annual meeting of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (54:58)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester woman who was a longtime kindergarten teacher
>SPORTS: Boston Celtics visit the White House (12:33)
-Patriots owner Robert Kraft snubbed again in Hall of Fame bid (2:22). Article
-Bruins beat Utah, 1-0
-2004 Boston Red Sox ring and World Series trophy owned by Larry Lucchino featured in upcoming auction
-Joe Nugent steps up for Crusaders men's basketball team
-Holy Cross women’s basketball announces 3 signings
-Check out the schedule for upcoming road races in Central Mass.
>NATIONAL: Are future Social Security benefits in peril?
-Up to 20 human skulls found in New Mexico home
-Tragic: Missing boy with autism found dead
>NEW ENGLAND: Worker injured during "supermove" in medically induced coma with third-degree burns
>COLLEGES: Assumption names new chief financial officer
-Worcester State Magazine’s special 150th anniversary issue hits the stands, goes live online
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 7 of the most beautiful places to visit in the Pacific Northwest
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. unemployment rates remain higher than 2023
-LPL Financial Research: Trade, tariffs and inflation
-Unity Radio's L.A.B.O. News (57:40)
>HOMES: What $350,000 can buy you in Worcester County, November 10th to 16th
>SHOPPING: Amazon Haul — What to know about Amazon's new discount store
>HEALTH: Health officials track increases in whooping cough, pneumonia (2:31)
-A few hours of activity a week can lower your risk of A-fib (:58)
>FOOD: How to stay safe during foodborne illness outbreaks (2:16)
>TV/STREAMING: "Jeopardy" contestant’s heart-wrenching interview leaves Ken Jennings speechless
>MOVIES: Matthew McConaughey reveals why he turned down $15 million role
>CELEBRITY: Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 attack on himself is overturned
>HISTORY: Founded in Boston, Staples ushered in era of office supply superstores
>ANIMALS: Cyclist finds puppy in the middle of nowhere (2:08)
>GOOD NEWS: Man discovers owner of his favorite bakery is his birth mother
-Meanwhile, in Miami, woman delivers baby at airport in American Airlines ticketing area
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather