In The News
-Latest weather: Rain first, then cold
-UMass Memorial healthcare workers help one of their own on Christmas
-Bishop McManus' Christmas message
-What's open, what's closed on Christmas in Massachusetts
-Radio Worcester's Worcester Wednesday with Mayor Petty (12:31): 2020 Holiday Season Edition
-Worcester City Council race starts to take shape
-Fire safety during the holiday season
-Reminder: Trash and recycling delayed a day in Worcester
-ICYMI: ‘I had to do it, they jumped me’: Man says he was jumped, leading to double shooting in Worcester, prosecutors said
-'Christmastime is here' by WPI Brass Duo (1:27). 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas' (1:04). 'Santa Claus is coming to town' (:48)
-Bars & Bands (brought to you by Wachusett Wine & Spirits): The Mayor’s Live Music & Live Streaming List
-TSA screens more than 1.1 million passengers Wednesday, marking highest total since March
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): The Counseling Center at Millbury collects more than 1,000 toys
-Celtics pay tribute to former Holy Cross star Tommy Heinsohn before season opener
-Former Holy Name star making positive impact on area youth with basketball program
-Cars: The entire team at Bertera Nissan wishes you and your family a great holiday season (1:58)
-TV/Streaming: What to watch on Christmas -- 10 holiday movies and TV shows
-WCCA TV's 'BandEdge Christmas Jam' will air at 8:30 p.m. Christmas Day
-Homes: Ward Willits House copy in Worcester selling for $649,900
-Food: The most iconic Christmas dish in every state
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Police officers lift car off woman after pedestrians hit in Quincy parking lot
-Meanwhile, in Florida, Christmas forecast calls for falling iguanas
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
-Worcester officials fear double whammy of holiday infection spikes
-Case numbers for every city and town in Central Massachusetts
-Net of Compassion in Worcester expands hours amid pandemic even as homeless shelter sees volunteers decline by 90%
-Art Museum to stay open despite more restrictions
-Worcester economist reacts to new stimulus bill
-SALMON Health and Retirement coordinates vaccine clinic with CVS
-Mass. officials announce 5,655 new cases, 76 deaths, 7-day positivity rate of 5.7 percent
-'Perfect storm' led to latest surge in cases (3:12)
-U.S. deaths are projected to reach 567,000 by April, even amid vaccine rollout
-ICYMI: Workers at TJX's Worcester Distribution Center test positive (:22)
-Southbridge teachers request full remote learning after winter break
-Commute & Travel (brought to you by Fuller RV): Winnebago CEO expects pent-up demand to propel boom in RV sales in 2021
-U.S. passes 1 million people vaccinated
-Pregnant women unlikely to pass coronavirus to their newborns, Harvard study finds
-Grandparents raising grandchildren during the pandemic
-6 industries that boomed this year, despite the pandemic
-History: How Americans celebrated Christmas 1918 during last pandemic
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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