Good morning, Worcester.

Worcester school officials and local groups mourn the loss of Donatien Ngatoua (a homeschooled 12th-grade athlete at Freedom Christian Academy) who died May 29 and are providing counseling to support grieving students.

Military veteran Kyle Pursell will open Corner Dive in late June at 34 Green St., transforming the former Dive Bar into an inviting venue for locals.

He renovated the space to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

The DCU Center will keep its name for now after a credit union extended its sponsorship with a $4.2M deal (officials have not finalized plans for a future rebranding).

At the T.H. Chan School of Medicine on May 29, over 35 awards were given to Class of 2026 students and faculty.

Graduates will receive their degrees at Commencement on Sunday, May 31.

64 graduates from the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing were honored at UMass Chan on Friday, May 29.

A new scholarship honoring departing Chancellor Michael Collins was announced and awards recognized outstanding achievements among faculty and students (celebrating decades of community care).

Worcester County public school districts will end the 2025-26 school year on various dates from June 11 to June 26 as each district sets its schedule (unforeseen closures may extend the school year).

Check local district notices for full details.

Graduating PhD candidates at UMass Chan's Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences celebrated on May 28 at the 2026 Student Academic Achievement and Leadership Awards Ceremony, where faculty honored them with the Chancellor’s, Dean’s, and inaugural Director Awards — recognizing their achievements and promising future contributions to science.

Shrewsbury High School held its graduation on May 28, featuring speeches by class leaders & officials as graduates received their diplomas and celebrated the Class of 2026.

A young male black bear was reported roaming a Worcester neighborhood on Thursday morning after a resident dialed 911.

Animal control later tracked the bear into the woods near Newton Hill and confirmed that it poses no public threat.

Gardner-based Heywood Healthcare named Dr. Kavita Babu as its new chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs on Thursday.

Babu, a UMass Memorial Health director + emergency medicine professor, succeeds Dr. Frank Sweeney who planned to retire.

Mark Fidrych’s legacy lives on in Northborough as his family honors his magic season at Chet’s Diner (featuring a framed photo of his Tigers days) while the Worcester Red Sox celebrate his memory with a 2026 Hall of Fame induction.

Manufacturing Your Future: Power of Change

8 AM — DCU Center — Free – $350 — Explore the momentum transforming manufacturing with insights from industry leaders and experts.

2026 Spring SNCA BJJ In-House Kids Championship

Time TBA — Worcester Massachusetts — Entry fees may apply — Experience exciting Gi divisions for kids of all ages and skill levels in a safe, competitive environment.

Healthcare and Human Services Job Fair

10 AM – 12 PM — MassHire Worcester Career Center — Free entry — Connect with top employers hiring in the healthcare and human services sectors.

The Deloreans Concert at Firefly's BBQ

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.

The 26th Miss Massachusetts Teen Competition

7-10 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — $59 — Celebrate the talent and ambition of young women competing for the title of Miss Massachusetts’ Teen.

Massachusetts Cheese Festival 2026

10 AM - 4 PM — Stone Cow Brewery — VIP ticket available — Celebrate local cheese with tastings, music, and educational sessions.

Worcester Caribbean American Heritage Festival

12-7 p.m. — Institute Park — Free entry — Celebrate diverse cultures with music, food, and entertainment honoring Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Worcester Bravehearts vs. Norwich Sea Unicorns Baseball

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Fitton Field — Ticket prices vary — Catch the action as local teams battle it out on the diamond.

Toledo Mud Hens vs. Worcester Red Sox

6:45-7:45 p.m. — Polar Park — Tickets from $15 — Catch a thrilling baseball game between the Mud Hens and the Red Sox in Worcester.

Kittie Live Concert

6:30-8 p.m. — Palladium — Ticket prices vary — Experience the powerful sound of Kittie as they rock the stage with fan favorites and new songs.