Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+5:00: 54 new cases in Worcester, 1,751 total. Shrewsbury, 158 cases (no new cases); Millbury, 138 as of Friday; Leicester, 71 (+1); Grafton, 47; Holden, 39 (+1). Press conference video (21:46)
+5:00: Worcester medical facilities could see switch to mouth swab testing
+5:00: Shutdown could have lasting effects on schools, students, say experts
+5:00: State totals: 1,632 long-term care deaths, 2,899 total, 1,590 new cases, 54,938 total, 236,100 tested. Story
+5:00: WATCH: 7 things you need to know about COVID-19 in Mass.
+5:00: Think things are bad for airlines? It’s about to get worse
+5:00: Here's how to check your fever without a thermometer, according to doctors
+8:40: Area retail landlords brace for fallout as store closings trigger rent negotiations
+8:40: AP source: Some NBA teams may reopen facilities to players on Friday
-79 new cases in Worcester, 1,697 total. Shrewsbury, 158 cases; Millbury, 138 as of Friday; Leicester, 70; Grafton, 47; Holden, 38. No press conference Saturday
-Worcester Housing Authority touts low infection rate amid aggressive measures
-Latinos make up 30% of patients in Worcester, despite 11% population share
-Worcester could soon track racial, socioeconomic data related to COVID-19
-Innovative local theater owner finds a way to draw a crowd during shutdown (1:20)
-COVID-19 presents challenges to find resources for children with autism
-Tenet Healthcare furloughs hit Mass. as CEO's pay skyrockets
-Signs popping up throughout Worcester support graduating seniors, while also providing funds for nonprofits
-State totals: 1,530 long-term care deaths, 2,730 total, 2,379 new cases, 55,348 total, 226.845 tested
-Lifting the lockdown: Which Mass. businesses would open first?
-Coronavirus may destroy 40% of the US economy, officials say
-Treatment drug trial running ahead of schedule
-COVID-19 recovery time: How long symptoms last
-ICYMI: These U.S. citizens won’t get coronavirus stimulus checks — because their spouses are immigrants
-At the office: You may be eligible for unemployment while day care is closed
-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: Michigan man gets ‘Dumb and Dumber’ bad quarantine haircut from wife
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Local union donates PPE to personal care attendants in Worcester
In Other News
+5:00: City buys land behind Worcester school to improve drop-off, pick-up procedures
-9:45: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
+9:40: 'Strong and Resilient' Worcester boy gets welcome home parade after heart transplant
-Latest weather: More rain on the way
-2 more Worcester restaurants announce reopening
-Support your local restaurants: Worcester Take Out Day is tomorrow
-Councilor Rose calls for delivery, pick-up options for Worcester trash bags
-TV series filmed in Worcester now available for streaming
-Updated: Worcester firefighters battle house fully engulfed in flames
-City of Worcester warns retirees of potential benefits scam
-April 27 Worcester Business Journal digital version now available
-Updated hours, senior hours for Worcester-area grocery stores
-Auburn baseball team makes best of season end (2:10)
-Everything the Patriots did at 2020 NFL Draft
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): What will $1,700 get you in Worcester?
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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