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: 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
+Noon: Neighbors shocked after woman killed in Worcester shooting; man also injured (1:46). Article
-Earlier: Woman dead, man injured in Worcester shooting (:59). Article
+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
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