Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
-Noon: Rutland police officer loses valiant battle with COVID-19
-Noon: COVID-19 testing begins at Worcester Walmart
-Noon: Boston sports teams will be able to practice again soon -- with precautions
-Noon: Pandemic enters new phase in U.S. as experts shift focus to new hot spots
-Double-digits deaths at 8 Worcester long-term care facilities
-Local nursing home acted quickly, but couldn’t keep COVID-19 at bay
-23 new cases in Worcester, 4,060 total; Shrewsbury, 270 (no new cases); Millbury, 220 (+5); Leicester, 134 (+1); Grafton, 81 (+1); Holden, 77 (+1). Press conference video (30:47)
-Worcester sees spike in serious strokes, heart attacks
-Want to reopen schools? Consider these things first
-200th COVID-19 patient released from St. Vincent Hospital (:21)
-New testing site at CVS on Lincoln Street, Worcester
-WCCA-TV 'Daily Breaking' (28:18): Most Rev. Robert McManus, Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester
-Rosen's Roundtable (28:20): COVID-19 in the Woo
-Radio Worcester (10:45): Craig Blais, President & CEO, WBDC
-Worcester will drop criminal complaint against Pastor Kristopher Casey
-State totals: 4,123 long-term care deaths, 6,640 total, 529 in ICU, 675 new cases
-Mass. sees another 38,000 unemployment claims; 41 million Americans have now applied for unemployment
-Stop & Shop extends 10% pay raise for workers through July 4th
-Is it safe to have backyard BBQ with another family? (3:01)
-At the office: Maybe a return to office isn’t so bad
-Hit the road! RV sales see boost amid search for different vacation possibilities
-Help To Retire offering remote consultations to those nearing retirement (1:00)
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): 103-year-old drinks beer to celebrate beating coronavirus (:19)
In Other News
-12:10: Who's open for take our or delivery? (updated)
-Noon: 5 great ways to spend your weekend in Worcester
-Noon: REMINDER that Plantation St. bridge to close this weekend for demo
-JetBlue and American Airlines expected to suspend flights out of Worcester
-Mass. expected to announce plan Friday to reopen restaurants
-Women's bowling league meets for bittersweet farewell at Colonial
-Find alternate route today: Southbridge St. will be paved from Madison St. to Quinsigamond Ave.
-Who's open for take our or delivery? (updated)
-Follo’s Food Review: Chicken Waffle Cone at Pixels & Pints
-City names Dunn, McGourthy to cabinet positions
-WPI-led researchers shrink breast cancer tumors in mice with targeted therapy
-Tribute to famed instructor Charlotte Klein, who trained thousands of dancers, dies at 86
-Reminder: Trash and recycling in Worcester delayed a day because of Memorial Day
-Oklahoma man busted in Sturbridge on weapons charges
-Boston Marathon canceled (:58)
-'Let them stay in your house': Boston Police Commissioner criticizes judges' release of prisoners (2:06)
-National: 7 shot in Louisville protest; Minneapolis police precinct overrun, set on fire
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): To-do lists spark interest in home repair
-Meanwhile, in North Carolina: Bear opens Mercedes door, freaks out city slickers
Latest obituaries | | -Yesterday's highlights | | Today's horoscope
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
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