Here's what's happening in and around Worcester today
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
+6:30: 89 new cases in Worcester, total. Shrewsbury, 189 (10 new cases), Leicester, 97 (0), Holden, 57 (+1), Grafton, 56 (0). Press conference video (25:56)
+6:30: Pastor will be issued $300 fine for violating state order
+6:30: Worcester Walmart to reopen in a few days, city officials say
+6:30: Worcester Police will give away face masks to violators for the first week of the Governor's order, starting Wednesday
+6:30: State totals: 2,368 long-term care deaths, 4,004 total, 904 in ICU; 1,824 new cases
+6:30: Death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home increases to 84
+6:30: Pressure mounts on governors to ease restrictions
+6:30: Southwest Airlines CEO claims it's safe to fly
-109 new cases in Worcester, 2,297 total. Shrewsbury, 179; Millbury, 150; Leicester, 97; Holden, 56; Grafton, 56. No press conference Saturday
-Worcester Medical Director Michael Hirsh: City likely won't be ready to reopen on May 18
-Report: Adams Square Baptist Church to hold public service again Sunday, pastor says precautions exceed those of supermarkets
-This is how people get sick: Fencing used to keep children off playground equipment at Elm Park torn down
-81 Worcester Walmart workers test positive in 'hotspot' (1:34)
-Outbreak hit just as these Worcester businesses had opened, or were about to
-Councilor Bergman proposing facemasks, gloves for panhandlers
-Worcester high schools to hold virtual graduations
-Worcester Public Market waives vendors’ rent with eye on June 2 reopening
-Impact of PPP loans at Wormtown Brewery: ‘Everybody is back and working’
-ICYMI: Here are the requirements for Worcester's $5,000 COVID-19 assistance grants
-Ray Mariano: Along with our thanks put something in their paychecks
-From the courts to the frontlines for Worcester State basketball player
-Worcester Chorus turns to Cole Porter for fundraiser
-People are social distancing less, cell phone data show: NPR
-First weekend of loosened restrictions under way in many states
-‘False Dawn’ recovery haunts survivors who fall sick again
-'Significant COVID-19 activity' in U.S. expected for up to 2 years
-Help To Retire offering remote consultations to those nearing retirement (1:00)
-On the lighter side: Celeb Padma Lakshmi, a Clark grad, chugs tequila to cope with kids being home until September
-Good news (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Bancroft School children spread cheer
In Other News
+6:30: REMINDER: 2 Streets at Kelley Square will reverse this week
-Latest weather: Pick of the weekend
-Aid, changes help Mustard Seed feed the hungry
-Worcester Public Schools to launch Hearts Connected exercise program
-Who's open for take out or delivery? (updated)
-Phantom Gourmet visits Firefly's Bar-B-Que in Marlborough (1:01)
-5 great ways to spend your weekend at home in Worcester
-26-year-old Clinton woman dies in motorcycle crash
-3-year-old Sturbridge boy undergoing brain tumor treatment gets playset from Make-A-Wish
-Perhaps you know the first perfect game in baseball history was thrown in Worcester. Here's what J. Lee Richmond did for the rest of his life
-First COVID-19, now this?! Murder hornets found in U.S.
-Homes (brought to you by Ross Mortgage): Modern comfort, historic charm on Massachusetts Ave. in Worcester
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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