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 (1:06). High of 34 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Worcester bar's liquor license suspended for 5 days for after-hours assault
+6:00: Indie horror film festival returning to Worcester’s Mechanic Hall for second year
+6:00: 100FM The Pike (8:12): Worcester film maker Tom Dwyer talks about Dead of Winter Horror Festival
+6:00: 100FM The Pike (14:26): Bull rider Marcus Mast on near death experience with a bull and growing up Amish
+Noon: It's Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: Guide to Dead of Winter Horror Film Festival in Worcester
+Noon: Mechanics Hall to host The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
+Noon: "Black Angels Over Tuskegee" in Worcester will tell story
+Noon: WPI professor explores how Black artists helped transform opera
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
+Noon: New movies on demand — "The Brutalist," "The Last Showgirl," and more
+Noon: 19 Carter in Berlin is a hub for both the arts and the community
-Hazardous ice lingers on Worcester streets days after storm. Video (1:18)
-Family of late state police trainee from Worcester speaks as state senators seek investigation update (2:49)
-Stop & Shop faces potential strike in Mass. over contract dispute
-Radio Worcester (40:20): Transformative plans for Worcester’s 51-acre Saint-Gobain site in Greendale
-West Boylston will fire Town Administrator amid police station flag conflict, lawyer says
-Earlier: Flag controversy discussed at Select Board meeting (1:49). Article
-Families fighting to keep funding for medical research meet at UMass Medical School (1:50). Article
-After sky-high hikes, state orders gas companies to reduce total bills by just 5 percent (:23)
-Related: What is the delivery fee on gas bills and why is it so high? (4:30)
-Police find cocaine, fentanyl during search in Worcester
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (25:32): Councilor's indefinite absence sparks debate
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (21:18): Media misrepresents Worcester's sanctuary city vote
-DINING OUT: New restaurant to open at site of former Compass Tavern
-ICYMI: City Councilor Thu Nguyen will not return to council indefinitely
-Worcester rolls out enforcement of new 25 mph speed limit
-Worcester schools eye 7.9% budget increase for coming year
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): March Among Friends senior newsletter
-Ice melt arrives at Holden hardware store for storm-weary residents
-Longtime customer salutes Lamoureux Ford (3:53)
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Favorite breakfast spot plans expansion to Shrewsbury
-Sterling officer hit by car during traffic stop
-Police seek help locating 29-year-old missing person
-Drug bust at Westminster residence uncovers cocaine trafficking operation
-Clinton Project 351 ambassador gets involved
-Clinton School Committee honors students, staff
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Concerts, historical demos and more
-Orchids bring color to Botanic Garden
-One Act Play Festival to take center stage at the Singh Performance Center
>OPINION: Kenzie Landsittel: Remember Women's Rights Convention in Worcester
-City of Worcester's Ready Worcester (1:03): Episode 4, preparing for snow storms
-Unity Radio's Susanity Life (58:15): Melisa Ann, intuitive energy healer
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester matriarch who passed away at 100
>SPORTS: Canada beats U.S., 3-2, in overtime to win 4 Nations Face-Off championship
-Bravehearts' New England Sports Summit breaks records
-With a renewed focus on boxing career, Worcester's Khiary Gray ready for title bout
-'Sader Stories (29:47): Varsity Club Hall of Famer Sam Fregenti
-Holy Cross women’s hockey team travels to Maine for final regular season series
-2 Holy Cross athletes nominated for Allstate Good Works Team
>CARS: Toyota recalls over 160,000 Sienna minivans due to seat back issue
>NATIONAL: California woman chased, fatally shot in parking lot: video
-Brian Laundrie's parents pariahs in Florida over Gabby Petito's murder: neighbors
-Tragic: Mom charged with abuse after 3 kids left alone for years
>NEW ENGLAND: Timeline of activities of cultlike group tied to killing of Border Patrol agent
-Why ambulances are waiting nearly an hour to bring patients into some Mass. hospitals
>COLLEGES: This is biomedical engineering at WPI (:23)
-Clark student Isaac Tomeho shines in both the digital and tactile worlds
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 5 places you'll recognize from famous songs
>BUSINESS: Walmart shares tank on dismal forecast as retail giant warns of slowing sales
-LPL Financial Research: Tariffs ignite a metals melt-up
-How Gen Z can get on the right financial track
>HOMES: Worcester is one of the hottest real estate markets in 2025. See how it ranks
>HEALTH: Study: 3 conditions increase risk of liver damage if you drink
-How "lemonading" can help you better cope with stress
>FOOD: Dunkin' to end non-dairy upcharges after guest feedback
>TV/STREAMING: George Stephanopoulos is "miserable" at "GMA"
>MOVIES: Who won the best actor Oscar last year? See list of recent winners
>CELEBRITY: Laraine Newman says Barbra Streisand confronted her over "SNL" skit
>ANIMALS: Ducks ask woman to help their friend who isn't moving (1:38)
>HISTORY: Worcester's Bull Mansion has historical ties to a doctor, not an animal
>GOOD NEWS: Man's liver transplant denial reversed after story goes viral
-Meanwhile, in Thailand, monkey uses human-like hand signals to direct traffic (:43)
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