Good morning, Worcester.

A Hopedale man, James Dec, 32, is charged after a homemade firework device caused a significant explosion on May 6 at his home on Mill St.—The blast prompted a state bomb squad response and police found 91 Class M explosives, destructive devices, and cocaine, leading to multiple charges.

On Thursday morning, residents on Eureka Street watched as ICE took a woman in a van and police arrested a young woman believed to be her daughter amid a crowd of over 30 people protesting the actions—witnesses said the chaos began when ICE agents refused to show a warrant and police used force to contain the scene near 31 Eureka St.

Legendary singer Judy Collins will perform at The Hanover Theatre on May 11 at 7:30 p.m.—the rescheduled concert follows the loss of her husband last December, and she said working helped her cope with the tragedy while she keeps making music.

At UMass Chan’s Educational Recognition Awards on May 7, Dr. Mary Munson received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring — a nod to her deep impact — and Dr. Mary Callery O’Brien delivered the Last Lecture after earning the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Teaching.

Samhitha Bodangi, a graduating senior at the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI, is developing a computerized model called PIPSA that predicts long-term kidney transplant rejection risk by analyzing donor peptides — she earned a $1,500 prize at WPI’s Demo Day and is now seeking expert input to refine her product for hospital use.

UMass Chan Nobel laureate Victor R.

Ambros (co-discoverer of microRNA) was named to the TIME100 Health list in recognition of his contributions to global health; his selection will be featured in the May 26 issue of TIME (honoring his 2024 Nobel Prize win).

Judy Collins Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the stunning voice of Grammy award-winner Judy Collins as she performs timeless folk classics.

Lunch & Learn: HR Essentials for Startups

12:00 – 1:30 PM — WorcLab Incubator & Coworking space — Free — Gain essential HR insights tailored for startups in an interactive session.

Northeast Section IFT Food Industry Expo

Various times — DCU Center — Entry ticket fees apply — Check out the latest innovations in the food industry at this major expo.

CoComelon: Sing-A-Long

4-6 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Tickets required — Experience a lively Broadway-style production featuring favorite sing-along songs from CoComelon.

Conservatory Spring Reflection 2025

1-2:30 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Free entry — Celebrate the beauty of spring in an engaging performance reflecting nature's renewal.

Nekrogoblikon Concert

6-10 p.m. — Palladium — Ticket prices vary — Experience the unique sound of Nekrogoblikon as they bring their high-energy performance to Worcester.

Monthly Craft, Color, and Chat

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Morse Institute Library — Free entry — Enjoy crafts and connect with an accepting community for socializing and support.

Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

3:30 a.m. — The Mercantile — Cheap tickets available — Experience the stunning artistry of Van Gogh in an immersive setting.

Informed Investor Mastermind Conference

5-9 p.m. — Off The Rails — $35 entry — Network, learn, and connect with real estate pros and industry experts in a collaborative environment.

May Fiesta: Boodle Fight!

4-9 p.m. — Loft 266 — Tickets required — Experience a Filipino cultural celebration with delicious food and vibrant entertainment.