Daily
Worcester
Thursday, February 12th, 2026
Good morning, Worcester. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 12th of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Burger chain Checkers opened its first New England location at 99 Gold Star Blvd on Feb. 10, bringing a menu with burgers, fries, and the signature Big Buford burger to Worcester. The restaurant offers dine-in and drive-through service seven days a week (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ Worcester collected over $190,000 in film fees from The Walking Dead: Dead City, covering police and fire details from May 2, 2024 to Nov. 21, 2025 — though part remains unpaid as of Jan. 1, 2026 — and an extra $13,000 from property access fees. MassLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Worcester Arts Council awarded 54 arts grants totaling $250,299 for 2026 to local groups after reviewing 163 applications last fall (October through December), and recipients include Crocodile River Music, Love Your Labels, and four local artists. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ Worcester’s National Baseball Poetry Festival is calling for baseball and softball themed poems from adults and youth, with adult entries due by March 27 and youth by April 17. The festival will return to Polar Park May 7-10 for readings, workshops, and more. Telegram & Gazette
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Nichols College sports management students gained hands-on experience working behind the scenes at Super Bowl week in Santa Clara, California. The course — Super Bowl Practicum — gave students roles in pop-up pro shops and security from Feb. 10 through the Monday after the game. Telegram & Gazette
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ UMass Amherst’s Energy Transition Institute is partnering with Holyoke residents as part of a nearly 1.2 million state-funded project to design an energy system that helps lower-income households manage rising utility costs. Gov. Healey is aiming to reduce bills while the effort supports equitable, sustainable energy across western Massachusetts. MassLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Labor organizers received a state list of active rideshare drivers on Feb. 4 to form the country’s first app-based rideshare union—the App Drivers Union, backed by 32BJ SEIU—and plan to seek certification by year’s end as drivers in Worcester and other cities join the effort. Worcester Business Journal
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Wooden Bar in Worcester blends Asian fusion with New England ingredients, serving fresh pastries in the morning and offering to-go leftover dinners for $7 at night. The restaurant features inventive dishes like Anori pulled pork sliders and Ginger Mazeman that highlight its unique style. MassLive
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Southborough native Korey Dropkin and partner Cory Thiesse became the first U.S. team to medal in Olympic mixed doubles curling when they won silver on Feb. 10 in Cortina d'Ampezzo by defeating Italy in the semifinals before narrowly losing to Sweden in the final. MassLive
- ➤ MassLive released its eighth Western Mass. girls basketball Top 20 ranking for the 2025-2026 season on Feb. 11, showing Central as favorites in Class A after key wins and Pittsfield as slight favorites in Class B with a five-game win streak. MassLive
- ➤ The Red Sox acquired 26-year-old infielder Caleb Durbin on Monday from the Brewers and he arrived at spring training camp. Durbin said he expects to improve his hitting and is discussing his infield role with manager Alex Cora, adding he has always been a good pull hitter. MassLive
- ➤ With spring training camp underway, the Red Sox are not expected to pursue a new left-handed reliever and will rely on internal options like Jovani Morán—who spent last season in Worcester—and Tyler Samaniego, according to Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. The team will assess its bullpen needs over the month. MassLive
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A Midsummer Night's Dream
7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience Shakespeare's enchanting tale of love and magic come to life.
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Be My BBQ Valentine Night with The Deloreans
9-11 p.m. — Firefly's BBQ — $5 Cover — Enjoy a night of brass-kickin' Rock and Soul from the 70s and 80s with The Deloreans.
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Lunar New Year Celebration
10 AM – 5 PM — EcoTarium — Entry fee applies — Celebrate the Lunar New Year with lively performances and engaging educational programs.
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Lunar New Year Celebration
10 AM – 4 PM — Worcester Art Museum — Free admission — Celebrate the Year of the Horse with art, music, dance performances, and activities for all ages.
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Cirque Kalabante
7-9 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket required — Experience an unforgettable night of thrilling performances with Cirque Kalabante.
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Aaron Diehl Trio Performance
8:00 p.m. — Prior Performing Arts Center — Ticket information not provided — Experience the sophisticated musical blend of jazz and classical with the acclaimed Aaron Diehl Trio.
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Back In Black - AC/DC Tribute Concert
8-11 p.m. — Rascals — Ticket prices vary — Rock out to the electrifying tribute to AC/DC while enjoying the lively atmosphere of Rascals.
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Worcester Spring Home Show
4 PM – 1 PM — DCU Center — Free entry — Discover innovative home improvement ideas and connect with local experts to transform your space.
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Colin Quinn Live
7-9 p.m. — Tuckerman Hall — $49 – $59 — Experience a night of laughter with comedian Colin Quinn as he brings his stand-up show to Worcester.
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Irish Seisiun in Worcester
4-7 p.m. — Hibernian Cultural Center — Free entry — Experience live Irish music and the best craic in the city with musicians welcome to join in.
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