Good morning, Worcester.

The Telegram & Gazette is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Sept.

16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mercantile Center at 100 Front St. to let readers meet the news team and tour the newsroom; registration is required ahead of time.

Hopkinton-based Solect Energy has expanded its operations by adding 120k sqft at the former T and G facility in Millbury, following the launch of its new headquarters earlier this year.

The Worcester Arts Council opened applications on Sept.

9 for its FY27 grant cycle, offering over $250,000 to local artists and cultural organizations, and online submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15 with a virtual workshop planned for first-time applicants.

Shrewsbury High School is 55% over capacity and the district began a feasibility study this month to explore expansion or renovation.

The study will lead to schematic designs and a funding request to voters by next fall (a town meeting backed the plan).

Nichols College in Dudley launches a flexible 60-credit master’s program in mental health counseling this fall to address workforce shortages and unmet behavioral-health needs in outpatient care (it blends online coursework with in-person internships and practicums to meet state licensure requirements).

Pam Daly, board chair of Girls Inc and former Girls Club attendee, said her early lessons continue to shape young women's futures in the local community.

She noted plans to re-engage alumni (including support for STEM and career programs) to inspire the next generation.

Sen. Raphael Warnock will deliver the keynote address at the Southern New England UCC annual meeting on Sept.

26 at the DCU Center with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. and a follow-up free worship service scheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m. with prior registration required.

Massachusetts will launch a nursing apprenticeship initiative to reduce the nurse shortage by awarding $240,000 to the Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability based in Worcester — which will partner with regional colleges to combine paid training with academic study, with programs set to launch early 2027.