Worcester Council OKs 5-Year Contract For Police Body Cameras

The council approved the contract with a final Worcester police policy on bodycam use still pending.

Abortion Rally In Worcester Rebukes Roe V. Wade Draft Opinion: Photos

Students, local politicians and others gathered in front of the Worcester County Superior Court Tuesday with abortion rights teetering.

MA Among States With Abortion Protection If Roe V. Wade Falls

The recent ROE Act overcame a Gov. Charlie Baker veto to expand abortion access to younger women and later into pregnancy.

'Desperate Wakeup Call': LeBoeuf Speaks Out After OUI Arrest

The Worcester representative released a statement on Twitter Thursday addressing his drunken driving arrest in Quincy this week.

Worcester Police Body Cameras Delayed As City Councilors Seek Policy

The Worcester City Council was poised to approve a five-year contract with Axon for bodycams, but police have not solidified a policy yet.

Worcester Seeks Water, Sewer Rate Increase In Next Fiscal Year

The small rate increase is due to higher costs in 2022, including the Lake Quinsigamond sewage spill.

Policy For Worcester Police Drone Sought Before Approval

Worcester police leaders have said they can't write a policy for the use of drones before acquiring the device.

100 Days In Office: Worcester's New Political Class Looks Back

After 100 days, five new city council and school committee members have had experienced successes and setbacks.

Worcester Councilors Make Moves On Search For Next City Manager

City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. is leaving the job at the end of May, and a council committee will manage a wider search for a replacement.

Creamer Won't Challenge LeBoeuf In Worcester House Race

In a statement, Creamer lamented that the 17th Worcester House seat likely won't reflect its new minority-majority status.

Move To Replace Worcester City Manager Put On Hold

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty is asking the City Council to consider appointing Assistant City Manager Eric Batista to the job.

Worcester Buys 132 Acres In Rutland, Holden To Protect Watershed

The nearly $700,000 acquisition approved by City Council this week will grow a land barrier around the Quinapoxet Reservoir.

Worcester City Manager's Departure Heralds Change Year In City

City Manager Ed Augustus' departure from City Hall may be the biggest shakeup in a year when Worcester will see lots of political change.

Diversity In Worcester An 'Extracurricular Activity', CDO Said

In a February resignation letter, former chief diversity officer Stephanie Williams described her decision to leave the job after two years.

Ethics Complaint Filed After Worcester Sgt. Named As Fundraiser

A fundraiser for Shrewsbury Republican Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette named Worcester Sgt. Richard Cipro as a host, contrary to ethics rules.

Worcester Plans 'Unvarnished' Review Over Hiring Diversity Chief

An order from Worcester Councilor Thu Nguyen will seek an outside assessment of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position.

Worcester Diversity Officer Issues Statement About Departure

Stephanie Williams said in a statement she resigned to be in an "environment where I can have more of an impact."

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty Launches 2022 Senate Bid

In a campaign launch, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said he's running for state Senate to "bring resources back to this district."

Worcester Councilors Seeks Answers After Diversity Chief Quits

Stephanie Williams stepped down as Worcester's chief diversity officer last week. She's the third person to hold the job since 2016.

Kennedy Jumps Into Worcester Senate Race — Officially

Robyn Kennedy, a leader at the YWCA, officially launched her bid for Harriette Chandler's seat at an event Wednesday.

Worcester Publishes Years Of Conflict Of Interest Filings Online

Conflict disclosures made by Worcester elected officials and employees were largely out of view until the city posted them online last week.

Conflict In Ukraine: Clark U Russian Politics Expert Explains

Clark University professor Valerie Sperling explains the origins of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and why Vladimir Putin's attack is a shock.

Mayor Petty In, Rep. LeBoeuf Out: 2022 Worcester Senate Race

Tuesday was a pivotal day in the race to replace retiring state Sen. Harriette Chandler as Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty entered the race.

Worcester Repeals Mask Mandate, Again

After a bureaucratic snafu last week, the Worcester Board of Health has voted to repeal the mandate starting Thursday.

Worcester Will Take Second Shot At Rescinding Mask Mandate

The Worcester mask mandate will likely end Friday. Cases are still higher now than when the mandate went into effect in September.

Worcester Has To Redo Mask Mandate Repeal After Invalid Vote

A member of the Worcester Board of Health was not technically a member when the board voted to repeal the mask mandate this week.

How Mask Policies Have Changed In MA Towns, Cities

With COVID-19 cases declining in many areas, mask mandates are ending. See the status in nearby cities and towns.

Worcester Councilor Filed Conflict Forms Amid Eviction Ban Debate

At-Large Councilor Morris Bergman, a landlord and adviser to a state landlord group, opposed a recent Worcester eviction moratorium.

Canton Man Cleared In Gun Incident At Worcester High School

Jerome Weekes had previously denied that he brought a gun to Doherty High School in December.

YWCA's Kennedy Signals Run For Chandler's Worcester Senate Seat

Robyn Kennedy, an executive at the YWCA Central Massachusetts, filed paperwork Monday to run for Harriette Chandler's seat.

Worcester To Discuss Decriminalizing Psychedelic Fungi, Plants

Four cities and towns in Massachusetts have moved to decriminalize shrooms and other psychedelics, but Worcester would be the biggest yet.

Where In Worcester New Large-Scale Affordable Housing Could Go

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty has asked the housing authority to investigate creating the first large public housing complex since the 1990s.

Worcester Councilors Tank Gas Station Ban Proposal

The 6-5 vote killed a citizen petition to stop new gas stations from being built. There are plans for two new stations on the table.

$178M Overhaul Planned For Worcester's Curtis Apartments Property

The Great Brook Valley public housing development will add about 100 units, according to the Worcester Housing Authority.

Creamer Confirms Interest In LeBoeuf's Worcester House Seat

There are now two candidates who would run for state Rep. David LeBoeuf's seat — if the two-term lawmaker runs for state Senate.

Worcester Activist Mulling House Run After Chandler Retirement

Worcester community organizer Nelly Medina has been seen as a possible replacement for state Rep. David LeBoeuf.

Worcester Eviction Moratorium Waylaid Again By City Council

For the second week in a row, the proposed eviction moratorium got held up. It'll likely return in February.

State Sen. Chandler Retiring, A Jolt To Worcester Political Scene

Chandler, 84, announced her retirement after 20 years in the state Senate on Wednesday. Several local politicians may seek her seat.

Worcester Man Files To Run For Massachusetts Governor

A Worcester resident has filed to run for Massachusetts governor. A local hasn't been in charge of the state since the 1830s.

Worcester Eviction Moratorium Held Up By Landlord, Legal Concerns

District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj sought a new local moratorium amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.