Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+5:30: 40 new cases in Worcester, 1,239 total. Shrewsbury 107 (+2 cases), Grafton 41 (0), Holden 31 (0), Leicester 21 (+2). Press conference video (27:02)
+5:30: Baker leaves door open for Mass. businesses to reopen before end of June if cases, hospitalizations decline
+5:30: Number of child coronavirus patients growing in Mass. (1:50)
+12:45: Mass. schools closed for remainder of academic year
+12:45: Radio Worcester (16:42): Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus gives a COVID-19 update (April 21)
+12:45: Radio Worcester (9:09): Chamber President & CEO Tim Murray talks expanded unemployment benefits
+9:45: CEO of St. V's owner touts focus on 'maximizing our cash position' amid furloughs
+9:45: Saint Vincent Hospital CEO shares thoughts, appreciation for hospital team, Worcester Community (6:41)
+9:45: Buck's Whiskey & Burger Bar donating 500 meals to frontline Workers
+7:30: Teachers union want Mass. schools to stay closed (1:10)
+7:30: At the office: North Carolina farm renting out animals to crash Zoom meetings
-28 new cases in Worcester, 1,199 total, Shrewsbury 105, Grafton 41 (+1), Holden 31 (+1), Leicester 19. Press conference video (26:21)
-This Week in Worcester's COVID-19 Information Center for Worcester
-Here's what reopening Worcester may look like
-Caravan for Caregivers at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester (:36)
-'Good Morning America' (1:54) -- 'I graduated early from medical school to help on the front lines,' UMass Medical School graduate
-New treatment approaches arising from virus fight in city
-Experts say it may be time for grocery stores to ban customers from coming inside
-Polar Seltzer giving away $2,500 a day this week to restaurant workers who use Instagram to list best item on their menus
-Assumption establishes $3M coronavirus relief fund for current, incoming students
-Six weeks in on being home and update from April 16 Worcester School Committee meeting from School Committee member Tracy O'Connell Novick (4:59)
-State totals: 1,809 deaths, 3,804 hospitalized, 1,566 new cases, 39,643 total, 169,398 tested. Story
-'Gig economy' workers can now apply for unemployment (1:47)
-Baker signs bill banning evictions, foreclosures during crisis
-Millions of homeowners delaying mortgage payments
-'We're right in the middle of the surge now.' Mass. at center of nationwide outbreak
-Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home increases to 62
-Heart damage emerges as another grim outcome of COVID-19’s range of complications
-Tragic: 5-year-old daughter of Detroit first responders dies after being diagnosed with coronavirus
-Not too early to start making plans for when this is over. 52 RVs for rent you can tour online at Fuller RV Rental & Sales
-On the lighter side: Worcester dinosaur shows off proper use of personal protective equipment
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Boulevard Diner unveils Free Little Pantry
In Other News
-Latest weather: Severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon
+5:30: Patriots trade Gronk to Tampa Bay
+5:30: Nova Scotia mass shooting: Death toll rises to 20 victims
+12:45: Tampa mayor tweets clarification that Tom Brady was 'sighted' in park, not 'cited'
+12:10: Updated list of restaurants offering take out or delivery
-Worcester man throws rocks at building, officer
-City leaders seek funds for budgetary shortfalls brought on by pandemic
-Local high school student's research published in scientific journal
-KrafTea Kombucha now available for curbside pickup or delivery
-ICYMI: Blarney Stone pub in Worcester appeals revocation of license
-Trash and recycling in Worcester will be delayed a day because of Patriot's Day
-Updated hours, senior hours for Worcester-area grocery stores
-Patriots unveil new uniforms ahead of 2020 season
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): 5 new Worcester houses for sale
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
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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
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