Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:15: 55 new cases in Worcester, 1,806 total. Shrewsbury, 158 (no new cases); Millbury, 138 (0); Leicester, 75 (+4); Grafton, 48 (+1); Holden, 40 (+1). Press conference video
+6:15: WBJ Podcast (35:53): bankHometown & the flurry of federal bailout applications
+6:15: WCCA-TV Daily Breaking (16:25) -- Pathways for Change
+6:15: State totals: 1,698 long-term care deaths, 3,003 total, 1,524 new cases, 56,462 total, 244,887 tested
+6:15: Mayor Walsh: Boston will not reopen on May 4
+6:15: All Mass. criminal, civil cases delayed until at least June 1
+6:15: Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home increases to 77
+6:15: 3 million coronavirus cases have been reported worldwide
+9:00: Daily routines are vastly different now for Worcester’s first responders
+9:00: ‘The food supply chain is breaking,’ Tyson says as plants close
-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)
-Worcester church holds in-person service, believed to be first in state to break with guidelines
-Related: Worcester pastor’s letter to Gov. Baker, Mayor of Worcester, and Worcester Chief of Police
-Area retail landlords brace for fallout as store closings trigger rent negotiations
-Beaumont antibody test of staff reveals 20% were positive, asymptomatic
-Worcester medical facilities could see switch to mouth swab testing
-Worcester Face Shield Project aiding fight by making needed PPE
-Shutdown could have lasting effects on schools, students, say experts
-ICYMI: Latinos make up 30% of patients in Worcester, despite 11% population share
-ICYMI: Innovative local theater owner finds a way to draw a crowd during shutdown (1:20)
-State totals: 1,632 long-term care deaths, 2,899 total, 1,590 new cases, 54,938 total, 236,100 tested. Story
-WATCH: 7 things you need to know about COVID-19 in Mass.
-Think things are bad for airlines? It’s about to get worse
-A flood of business bankruptcies likely in coming months
-Here's how to check your fever without a thermometer, according to doctors
-AP source: Some NBA teams may reopen facilities to players on Friday
-History’s five deadliest pandemics and epidemics
-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: Cops called after Florida girl posts 'HELP' sign in window — for homework
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Knights of Columbus deliver food donated by parishioners to Friendly House
In Other News
-Latest weather: More rain on the way, high about 40
+6:15: Patriots release DB Obi Melifonwu of Grafton
+9:00: This Week’s Roadwork in Worcester – Week of April 27
-Support your local restaurants: Today is Worcester Take Out Day
-Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
-ICYMI: 2 more Worcester restaurants announce reopening
-'Strong and Resilient' Worcester boy gets welcome home parade after heart transplant
-City buys land behind Worcester school to improve drop-off, pick-up procedures
-Drone video above Sargent Card Clothing Company at Southbridge Street and Quinsigamond Ave. in Worcester (5:28)
-Updated hours, senior hours for Worcester-area grocery stores
-Former Shepherd Hill star Sean McKeon, Holy Cross lineman Jackson Dennis sign NFL deals
-Tribute to a former Worcester teacher of nearly 40 years who passed away Friday
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): A message about mortgage forbearance from President of Ross Mortgage
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
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
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
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
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