Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:15: Defiant Worcester pastor files federal civil suit against state
+6:00: 124 new cases in Worcester, 3,206 total. Shrewsbury, 240 (5 new); Millbury, 189 (+3); Leicester, 113 (+2); Grafton, 70 (+2); Holden, 66 (0). Press conference video (20:30)
+6:00: July 4th fireworks in Worcester will be held virtually
+6:00: Radio Worcester (14:45): Congressman McGovern on COVID Relief, Opening Up, Testing and more
+6:00: CVS on West Boylston St., Worcester among 10 in state to offer drive-through testing
+6:00: Tyson Foods temporarily cutting prices on beef
+6:00: McDonald's is bringing back free fry Friday
+6:00: Nearly 45,000 more in Mass. file for unemployment last week
+6:00: 2.9 million in U.S. filed for unemployment last week (:23)
+6:00: Why horrific unemployment numbers made stock market rise
-81 new cases in Worcester, 3,082 total. Shrewsbury, 235 (3 new); Millbury, 186 (+1); Leicester, 111 (+1); Grafton, 68 (0); Holden, 66 (+1). Press conference video (20:54)
-Arrests in Worcester down 60% during pandemic
-Worcester city manager issues plea for public to wear face masks after reports of non-compliance
-If 80% of Americans wore masks, infections would plummet, study says
-See how many cases are in your Mass. city or town as of May 13
-UMass Medical School given $16.5M for 3 COVID-19-related research projects
-Worcester State vetting hybrid online/in-person classes for fall but stressing testing, tracing protocols must be in place
-Worcester restaurants consider plastic dividers between booths
-Here's an idea: Manchester, N.H., allows restaurants to serve customers in private parking lots, sidewalks
-ICYMI: Why is Worcester still seeing a rise in hospitalizations? (1:39)
-Sutton mother, daughter making transparent masks to help hearing impaired
-Here are the 3 Ts of state reopening
-Gov. Baker: Reopening early would be ‘incredibly irresponsible’
-Gov. Baker declines to release more about reopening plan until Monday
-Reopening role puts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito of Shrewsbury at center stage
-Boston reported zero coronavirus deaths on Tuesday
-Plasma from recovered patients sought for trial (1:57)
-Do antibacterial wipes kill coronavirus? (3:03)
-Wuhan to test all residents in 10 days after new cases emerge
-Guilty! Average American in lockdown gets confused about what day it is five times a week
-Help To Retire offering remote consultations to those nearing retirement (1:00)
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): WATCH: Cara Brindisi performs for COVID-19 patients at elder care program
In Other News
+6:00: 66-year-old Braintree man dies in crash on Pike in Millbury
+6:00: WCCA-TV Daily Breaking (30:59): Debbie Maruca Hoak, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester
-3:45: Who's open for take out or delivery? (updated)
+7:30: Great view of Boston skyline from Worcester Airport
+7:30: Was everyone too quick to delay plastic bag bans?
-Latest weather: Pick of the week
-Worcester salon, day spa to close after 55 years
-One person killed, second person in critical condition after Millbury crash
-Bank latest to leave glass tower in Worcester
-Plantation Street bridge in Worcester will be closed next weekend for partial demolition
-5 takeaways from Worcester City Manager's budget proposal
-Holden Police ask if residents had any 'misplaced' Amazon packages recently. Here's why (:35)
-19-year-old Webster man faces several distribution charges
-SLOW DOWN! Drivers in Central Mass. clocked at 100+ MPH during State Police crackdown
-WCCA-TVs Daily Breaking (29:50): William Butler, Author, 'Roads to Addiction - Highways to Recovery: The Brian Masters Story'
-Holy Cross 'Sader Stories, Episode 12 (19:46): Get to know Maureen Magarity, Women's Basketball Coach
-Just Great! First murder hornets, now this ... Georgia residents asked to report and kill large South American lizards on the loose
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): 5 latest Worcester homes to hit the market
-Crabby customers brawl after 3-hour wait at Pa. Red Lobster on Mother's Day (1:47)
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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