Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+1:00: STEP 2 OF PHASE 2 (Indoor Dining, nail salons, etc.) BEGINS MONDAY. Related video (2:38)
+11:30: The 50 Mass. cities and towns with highest rates
-47 new cases in past week in Worcester, 5,115 total; Shrewsbury, 312 (2 new cases); Millbury, 238 (+4); Leicester, 149 (+2); Holden, 115 (+3); Grafton, 94 (+2). Press conference video (39:17)
-Keeping Worcester man awaiting trial behind bars after he contracted and recovered from coronavirus not 'cruel and unusual', judge rules
-Worcester State announces plans for a safe return to campus
-WCCA-TV's 'Daily Breaking' (26:54): Michael Onett, President, Faith and Family Supportive Care & Hospice
-30th annual Latin American Festival in Worcester postponed until next year
-Locks changed at Oxford gym after shutting off power, water doesn't close gym (1:58)
-More than 30,000 people filed for unemployment in Mass. last week
-1.5 million U.S. workers seek unemployment benefits
-Florida could become next coronavirus epicenter, model shows
-Another consequence of the pandemic: a nationwide shortage of coins
-McDonald’s won’t be bringing back salads anytime soon
-Health: What are the potential long-term effects of having COVID-19?
-Help To Retire offering remote consultations to those nearing retirement (1:00)
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Recovered patient thanks 'hero' nurse who kept him company while isolated
In The News
-Latest weather: High near 90
-12:05: Who's open for patio dining, take out or delivery?
+8:35: Task force created to address ‘alarming’ increase of illegal fireworks in Worcester
+8:35: 5 things you need to know today in Worcester – June 19
-Worcester Home Depot evacuated after person barricaded in bathroom (:36)
-Worcester police vehicle crashes into Hilton Garden Inn
-Classrooms flooded after Worcester man set brush fire that spread to roof of elementary school
-Bullet fired into house on Southgate Street in Worcester, no one injured
-Worcester Police sergeant disarms active shooting suspect
-Worcester educators demand more funding, ask legislators to tap rainy day fund at standout outside City Hall. Gallery (15 photos)
-Worcester School Committee approves $441M budget
-ICYMI: Tomato Pie Bar & Grill announces free luncheon giveaway
-Sheldon's Harley-Davidson in Auburn buys Hartford dealership
-Here are the two newest flavors of Polar Seltzer'ade
-Chamber 360 Pivot (7:23): Polar Park
-Cars: Bertera Nissan simplifies sales and service
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): 4 new open houses in Worcester
-Meanwhile, in Denver, chubby grizzly bear take a luxurious bubble bath
Latest obituaries | | -Yesterday's highlights | | Today's horoscope
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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