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Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:00: Worcester, other districts manage return to schools amid surge
+6:00: How long before Omicron symptoms appear after exposure?
+6:00: U.S. sets new milestone with more than 1 million cases
+6:00: Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID lately?
-Massive lines await those just wishing to be tested in Worcester (2:06)
-'We have to do better': Residents shiver in frigid cold for hours to get test, officials seek more testing sites amid omicron 'log jam'
-Testing in Downtown Worcester scheduled 3 more days this week
-UMass Memorial says positivity rate has "skyrocketed" to around 30% during recent surge
-Worcester teachers' union says KN95 masks from state not good enough
-Worcester Public Schools staff receive rapid tests
-31,184 new cases, 39 additional deaths reported in Massachusetts
-Here's how the Omicron surge is different than previous surges in the U.S.
-Grafton Board of Health issues order mandating masks in all public space
-Massachusetts doctors weigh in on throat swab for testing
-Rapid omicron spread fuels statewide workforce crunch
-ER doctors in Massachusetts make plea amid breaking point
In The News
-Latest weather: 4" to 6" of snow possible Friday in early forecast
+6:00: 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - January 4th
+6:00: Local singer premieres music video shot right before the pandemic in Los Angeles
+6:00: Radio Worcester (16:07): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus talks Omicron, testing, development and inauguration
+6:00: Radio Worcester (6:47): Worcester School Committee member Sue Mailman talks about inauguration
+6:00: Janice Harvey: No one seems enthusiastic for 2022
+6:00: New pets up for adoption in the Worcester area
+6:00: $50,000 Powerball winner sold in Webster
+6:00: More people leaving Massachusetts, fewer moving in, study says
+6:00: A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November
-Former St. Peter-Marian school site sold for $4.75 million
-Related: Diocese establishes fund to benefit Saint Paul Junior/Senior High
-Saint Vincent Hospital nurses approve new deal to end historic strike (2:35)
-Related: Reflecting on the longest nurses strike in Massachusetts history
-Worcester's inauguration highlights most diverse council, school committee in city’s history . Gallery (11 photos)
-Cold nights, uptick in COVID cases means full house at Hotel Grace
-Worcester youth violence down, Clark University study finds, but racial schism persists
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Worcester man donates Lego sets to kids with cancer
-The Mayor’s Live Music List for Tuesday
-Wachusett Wine & Spirits' Whiskey Wednesday (36:03): Tequila Single Barrel Pick
-Politics and the City: Not a bad 2021 for Worcester, but what's next?
-Tribute to a talented jewelry designer who owned his own store for many years
-Tribute to a professor emeritus at Worcester State
-ICYMI: Worcester firefighters hit the ice in Toledo to honor fallen brothers
-Community raising funds for Worcester Assistant Principal hit with devastating health news
-The most read stories of 2021 on The 016
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
-The Burbs (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Shrewsbury talks future athletic facilities projects
-Cannabis dispensary owners buy $4 million facility to open soon in West Boylston
-Nomination papers now available at Millbury Town Clerk's office
-Developer purchases Hardwick mill for $5 million cannabis project
-Sports: Worcester Bravehearts turning 2022 into TwentyTwentyYou (1:04)
-Oluchi Ezemma selected as Hilton Garden Inn Crusader of the Week
-Worcester Hockey Alumni highlights, week 12
-Belichick, teammates praise Mac Jones after team clinches playoff spot
-Enter to win a Patriots hoodie, courtesy of North End Motor Sales
-Anna Maria men's hoops team loves playing for Coach Conrad
-Planet Fitness welcoming newcomers with New Year's resolutions
-Cars: Happy Holidays from Bertera Nissan (2:04)
-Take a look at new 2022 Four Winds RV now in at Fuller RV in Boylston
-National: Powerball jackpot now $575 million after no winner last night
-Classic BlackBerry phones will stop working starting today
-New England: Carver boy who opened pantry that serves thousands is now battling leukemia
-Tragic: Mississippi officer responding to shooting finds her son dead
-Business: 39% of workers are looking to change jobs, survey finds
-Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes found guilty on 4 of 11 charges of fraud and conspiracy
-WBJ Economic Forecast: The year of biotech
-Homes: 5 new houses for sale in Worcester
-History: Pilgrim Church on Main Street in Worcester
-Animals: Guy rescues stray puppy and reunites her with brothers (3:18)
-TV/Streaming: 9 hidden gem shows from 2021 that were overlooked
-Movies: 6 must-see movies being released in January
-Celebrity: Vicki Lawrence reveals Betty White’s last word before death
-Meanwhile, in Tennessee, TikToker discovers abandoned '50s diner in perfect condition (:40)
Latest obituaries | | Monday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:44). High of 64 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Counterfeit ticket scam leads to parents missing Worcester high school graduation
+6:00: Facing eviction, Worcester's Boston Market owner plans a rebranding instead
+6:00: Providence & Worcester train derails in Rhode Island neighborhood
+6:00: Worcester police arrest suspect in connection with shooting near University Park
+6:00: Renters find relief at Worcester legal clinic to clear their eviction records
+6:00: W.R.T.A. adds new accessible vans to paratransit fleet
+6:00: Shakira, Jason Aldeen concerts at Fenway Park abruptly canceled (:31)
+6:00: Former Holy Cross star Stacey Hochkins named USA Hockey Adult Player of the Year
+Noon: Bullet found in parking lot of Auburn Middle School; school had been dismissed
+Noon: Things to Do: James Oliver Band, M'bolo, Jay Sully and more ...
+Noon: Traditional food and music on tap at Middle Eastern Festival
+Noon: "American Idol" winner David Cook to headline annual Pet Rock Fest
+Noon: Summer@Music Worcester returns with 3 different concerts
+Noon: Worcester students eye "Origin" as part of ArtsWorcester Future Arts Workers
+Noon: Joann Fabrics officially closed in Shrewsbury
-Police investigating death of college student in Worcester
-Work begins on $120 million downtown Worcester housing development
-Worcester police investigate gunfire at University Park; person treated for wounds
-Vandal leaves offensive messages on sign outside Worcester middle school
-Heralded Worcester school faces possible closure as state Senate cuts its funding
-Worcester clothing brand Cosmic Unicornz to find permanent home
-Fitness in the Parks Summer Series kickoff Friday
-Administration seeking to close 2 Central Mass. Job Corps centers as part of elimination of program nationwide
-Aislinn Doyle: Worcester Public Schools in Brief for May
-Doherty Memorial High School graduation (1:37:57)
-Worcester Public Schools' Ask the Superintendent (22:10): Vision of a learner with Belmont Street School
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (48:22): Fallout from the State of the City protest
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Lobster Rolls (5:17)
-ICYMI: Workers threaten to strike at UMass Memorial Health
-Firm to study solutions to I-290 divide in Worcester
-18-unit apartment complex planned on site of old 3-decker in Worcester
-Worcester wants to reclaim its manufacturing leadership, but tariffs may stand in the way
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): May & June Senior Center events
-Lamoureux Ford offers huge discounts! (2:53)
-Holden police welcome new officer
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Vandals destroy Leominster Little League fields (2:23). Article
-In Shrewsbury Center, a new gathering place for the Jewish community
-High school productions up for TAMY awards
-Clinton student-athletes receive honors from coaches
-West Boylston police log May 19th to 25th
-The Item's public safety logs
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Thursday
>SHOWTIME: Creative and creepy: Mike Mars talks about a life in film, music and horror
-On self-titled debit album, Sunday Junkie sets stage for musicians' next chapter
-The Big E announces Train as 2025 headliner. See schedule, ticket info
>OPINION: Nicole Bell: Cassie Ventura's story deserves to end in justice
-Jennifer Julien Gaskin: Open letter to Councilor Bergman
-WCCA-TV's Senior Speak No. 928 (27:59): Maureen Schwab
-Unity Radio's Talking Wellness (47:50)
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to former Worcester Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell
>SPORTS: Stefon Diggs' boat party causes stir as he misses Patriots O.T.A.s
-Patriots O.T.A. takeaways: Drake Maye improves, but offense still a step behind
-Bravehearts win season opener, 9-7
-What to know before Bravehearts Opening Day
-Bravehearts Opening Night giveaway. Next home game: 6:30 Friday. Get tickets here
-Red Sox lose to Brewers, 6-5
-Holy Cross men’s soccer names 2025 team captains
-Jeopardy! highlights WooSox player's unique and clever nickname
-WooSox beat RailRiders, 5-4
>NATIONAL: D.O.G.E. can access sensitive Treasury payment systems, judge rules
-3 city-killing asteroids could strike Earth within weeks
>TRAGIC: Man dies in crash while giving daughter driving lesson: Reports
>NEW ENGLAND: Missing U.N.H. student found dead
-Karen Read trial analysis (21:23): Courtroom showdown after prosecution's crash finale
>COLLEGES: Voice artist and Holy Cross class of 1968 alum James Conlan
-Assumption president says colleges must "take a hard look" at themselves
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Weekend getaway in Connecticut
>BUSINESS: Market Basket C.E.O. Arthur T. Demoulas placed on leave amid new allegations (2:23). Article
-LPL Financial Research: Can earnings catch up to this stock market rally?
-Take W.B.J.'s 2025 Midyear Economic Forecast survey
>SHOPPING: Walmart uses hidden barcodes to avoid "skip scanning"
>HEALTH: Weight loss in middle age offers long-term health benefits
-Skin cancer prevention: What you may not know about sunscreen, health (2:10)
>FOOD: How 1 ingredient transformed McDonald's Egg McMuffin
>TV/STREAMING: Until Friday, Peacock streaming deal for just $25 for a year
>MOVIES: Is "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning" really the end? Tom Cruise may have revealed answer
>CELEBRITY: Brad Pitt speaks out on finalizing Angelina Jolie divorce after 8 years
>ANIMALS: Courageous puppy fights off pack of coyotes in 45-minute battle, heart-stopping video shows
>HISTORY: Worcester Heritage Society snapshots: 1870s Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Winchester 8-year-old recognized for fundraising success
-Meanwhile, in Florida, trapper wrestles alligator on highway median
Latest obituaries | | Wednesday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
-Worcester Area Director (part-time), Matthew 25
+Multiple positions, Nancy Chang Restaurant
+Police officers, town of Leicester
-Part-time bartender, Patsie Dugan's
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
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