Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+5:45: 76 new cases in Worcester, 1,618 total, Shrewsbury 155 (+5), Millbury 138 (+2), Leicester 65 (+4), Grafton 45 (+1), Holden 38 (+1). Press conference video (31:35)
+5:45: Pandemic is walloping higher ed at the worst moment
+Noon: Northeastern University model shows COVID-19 likely spread in Jan.
+Noon: WATCH: Seniors and 365Z Foundation share positive message
+Noon: Worcester Tae Kwon Do Center fundraising for COVID-19 relief
+7:30: Worcester, UMass Memorial plan to share data to find why some communities hit harder than others
-97 new cases in Worcester, 1,542 total. Press conference video (29:45)
-UMass Healthcare CEO says Worcester is the 'hot spot' in Mass.
-Central Mass. town-by-town data
-Worcester places 9 homeless people in permanent housing
-60% percent of American consumers 'fearful' to shop at a grocery store
-Worcester students will be graded on pass/fail basis, have access to chromebooks
-UMass Memorial reports success with first coronavirus plasma transfusion. Related: What is plasma? How to donate convalescent plasma
-UMass Memorial nurses receive gift of comfy sneakers (2:12)
-Radio Worcester (15:22): Congressman Jim McGovern - COVID-19 Update (April 23)
-Worldwide media turn to Holy Cross Economics professors for expertise on sports post-coronavirus
-Clark prof on 5 ways parents can motivate children at home during the pandemic – without nagging or tantrums
-Coronavirus deaths in Mass. are likely far higher than reported. Here’s why
-State totals: 1,316 long-term care deaths, 2,360 total, 3,079 new cases, 46,023 total, 195,076 tested. Story
-Mass. sees 80,000 new unemployment claims
-Fed: Rent, mortgage payments in New England at risk due to unemployment surge
-At the office: You may be eligible for unemployment while day care is closed
-Coronavirus was spreading quickly in U.S. by Feb.: study
-Gut-wrenching: Denver doctor documents 'torture' of seeing son battle 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: Spotted on Route 9 in Shrewsbury, a minivan that follows the rules
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Worcester Islamic Center donates N95 masks to city police
In Other News
+5:45: Driver trapped after truck rolls over in Spencer
+5:45: Why NFL rivals are fuming at Tom Brady and Buccaneers
-5:30: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
+12:15: Stolen Sasquatch statue found in Worcester after being taken from outside a Brimfield home
+12:15: Get a free 4-piece chicken nugget at Wendy's on Friday
+Noon: Follo’s Food Reviews: Chicken Ceasar Wrap at The Boynton
-Latest weather: Yuck
-Owner of The Fix, Mezcal and Bocado plans to reopen some Worcester restaurants May 1, but others may not open until 2021
-Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
-ICYMI: Peppercorn's introduces Family Meal Package
-If accepting bottle returns is not mandatory, why are we still being charged $.05? (1:23)
-Worcester's Sneakarama teaming up with ASICS America for 1st Virtual 5K
-Mass. Symphony co-founder Madelyn Levenson dies at 96 in Worcester
-Reminder: Trash and recycling in Worcester delayed a day because of Patriot's Day
-Updated hours, senior hours for Worcester-area grocery stores
-Patriots trade out of 1st round again, could make 5 picks on Day 2
-Tom Brady adds to Tampa follies by walking into stranger's house
-Shopping: Quirky kitchen gadgets and gizmos you never knew you needed until right now
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): Considering mortgage forebearance? Read this
-The 016 in the news, on 'Get Real with Bob and Stacey' (18:06)
In The News
>WEATHER: High of 71 today in Worcester (3:36)
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+4:00: As Robert Stoddard slept, thieves made off with 9 valuable paintings, including recovered Avercamp
+4:00: Related: Stolen Dutch master painting back in Worcester after nearly 47 years — to be shown at Worcester Art Museum
+4:00: Man arrested after pursuit through Worcester Common
+4:00: WPI lays off 24 employees, citing rising costs and federal uncertainty
+4:00: Radio Worcester (9:25): At airport, 44 acre solar farm planned and American Eagle flights return
+4:00: Holy Cross baseball falls to North Carolina in NCAA regional tourney opener
+4:00: 210 Sports' Friday 4: Handshakes, USA Hockey, Touch the trophy, and Wienie racing
+Noon: It's Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: Table Hoppin': Bella Pizzeria brings Brazilian pizza to Worcester
+Noon: New shows & movies to watch this weekend
+Noon: New movies on demand — "Fight or Flight," "The King of Kings" and more
-Counterfeit ticket scam leads to parents missing Worcester high school graduation
-Related: Worcester Technical High School graduation (1:23:13)
-Facing eviction, Worcester's Boston Market owner plans a rebranding instead
-Worcester police arrest suspect in connection with shooting near University Park
-D.O.J. retracts investigations of 8 police departments. What about Worcester?
-Renters find relief at Worcester legal clinic to clear their eviction records
-Providence & Worcester train derails in Rhode Island neighborhood
-W.R.T.A. adds new accessible vans to paratransit fleet
-Bullet found in parking lot of Auburn Middle School; school had been dismissed
-Traditional food and music on tap at Middle Eastern Festival
-100 FM The Pike (9:38): Middle Eastern Festival
-Mass. Attorney General issues guidance on rights during I.C.E. enforcement
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (26:00): Banned from City Hall — The boundaries of protest
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:22): Fallout from the State of the City protest
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Red Lobster menu changes — Under $20, hush puppies, Happy Hour deals
-ICYMI: Police investigating death of college student in Worcester
-Work begins on $120 million downtown Worcester housing development
-Vandal leaves offensive messages on sign outside Worcester middle school
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): June Among Friends senior newsletter
-Jazzed Up Duo 5:30 to 8:30 Saturday at Val's
-Lamoureux Ford offers huge discounts! (2:53)
-May & June Senior Center events
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Joann Fabrics officially closes in Shrewsbury
-Join the inaugural Shrewsbury Pride 5K Run/Walk
-Struggling Quabbin Reservoir towns make public appeal for more state funding
-James Ettamarna, Christine Watkins will join Sutton Select Board
-West Boylston ballot features races, override
-New senior center director introduced in West Boylston
-Clinton Select Board restricts recycling center to residents only amid surge of use by outsiders
-The Item's calendar of events
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: James Oliver Band, M'bolo, Jay Sully and more ...
-Shakira, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn concerts at Fenway Park canceled after sources say staging fell apart (3:44). Article
-"American Idol" winner David Cook to headline annual Pet Rock Fest
-Summer@Music Worcester returns with 3 different concerts
-Worcester students eye "Origin" as part of ArtsWorcester Future Arts Workers
-WCCA-TV's Mayor's Forum No. 53 (28:26): Dr. Tasia Cerezo, Meryl's Safe Haven
-Unity Radio's Cannabis 101 (31:48)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester man who expanded his family's trucking business
>SPORTS: TODAY! What to know before Bravehearts Home Opener
-Bravehearts Opening Night giveaway. Next home game: 6:30 Today. Get tickets here
-Bravehearts fall to Starfires, 10-6
-Vrabel's vibes, Drake Maye's relationship with Josh McDaniels (6:47)
-Jordon Hudson's raunchy sexual innuendo from viral Bill Belichick getaway revealed
-Holy Cross baseball to face No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill Regional
-Related: Crusaders celebrate resilient journey to NCAA Tournament
-WooSox beat RailRiders, 3-2
>CARS: Ford recalls more than 1 million vehicles due to rearview camera issue
>NATIONAL: Blatten, Switzerland buried following glacier collapse (2:13). Photos
-4-year-old Mexican girl faces deportation amid medical crisis
>TRAGIC: Teen dies from playing social media "tackle game"
>NEW ENGLAND: Major traffic trouble on the Mass. Pike begins today (2:07). Article
-Around 40 people arrested during I.C.E. operations on Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard
-Karen Read trial (21:07): The prosecution rested its case — our experts grade it
>COLLEGES: Celebrate the Holy Cross Class of 2025
-WPI graduate commencement (:27)
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): What American tourists should know about "terrorism" threat in Italy
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. nonprofits snag portion of $6.7 million for small business training
-LPL Financial Research: Can earnings catch up to this stock market rally?
-Most employees would invite family or a friend on a work trip
>SHOPPING: Shoppers are exploiting retail return policies
>HEALTH: Mental health organizations in Mass. struggle with federal funding cuts (:57)
-Doctor on Hepatitis A after exposure warning issued at Mass. eatery (3:10)
>FOOD: Coke or Pepsi? Best-selling sodas in America in 2024 revealed
>TV/STREAMING: Worcester plays strong supporting role in episode of "The Walking Dead"
>MOVIES: Trailer for new Pete Davidson horror movie, "The Home" (1:58)
>CELEBRITY: Sarah Silverman reveals A-lister who saved her after "SNL" firing
>ANIMALS: Lonely puppy who wasn't moving slowly comes back to life (1:44)
>HISTORY: Then & Now: Burke Square, Main and Ripley streets, Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Woman's gas stop turns into 6-figure lottery win
-Meanwhile, in Utah, 7-year-old boy drove his little sister to get McDonald's
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Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
+Multiple positions, Nancy Chang Restaurant
+Police officers, town of Leicester
-Worcester Area Director (part-time), Matthew 25
-Part-time bartender, Patsie Dugan's
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