Daily
Worcester
Friday, September 26th, 2025
Good morning, Worcester. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 26th of September.
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj said the charges were bogus — she was charged with a misdemeanor assault and battery on an officer and a violation for interfering during an ICE operation on May 8 — as a judge will review body camera footage before deciding whether to dismiss the charges from June 4. MassLive
- ➤ Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and former School Committee candidate Ashley Spring face charges from the May 8 Eureka Street immigration raid as their lawyers argued in court for dismissal while a judge set a Nov. 19 hearing to review body camera footage — supporters outside the courthouse showed their backing. Telegram & Gazette
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Mark Wahlberg will film a scene for his new movie Weekend Warriors from 3 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Flynn’s Truck Stop in Shrewsbury. The board approved a road closure for the shoot on Sept. 23 (Apple Studios set the working title as Cheesesteak). Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ Renowned poet Martín Espada will be at Worcester State University on Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. for a free poetry reading as part of Homecoming and Family Weekend and will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters while signing his new collection at the Student Center Blue Lounge—this event honors his legacy in literature and social justice. Worcester State University
- ➤ WoMag is hosting its first digital battle of the bands — 16 local musical acts compete in an online tournament to win a feature profile and attract new fans. Voting opens on Oct. 9 — and the remaining eight bands will face off on Oct. 13 at 5 a.m. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ Starship with Mickey Thomas will headline a night of classic rock at Hanover Theatre on October 3rd—Foghat will also perform and celebrate the 50th Anniversary Edition of their album Fool for the City. Radio Worcester
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Notre Dame Academy on Salisbury Street announced that Linda Anderson will become head of school on April 1 — she will replace retiring Marilyn Tencza who led the school since 2022. Anderson, who served as principal at St. Bernard’s and now works as an academic coach at Athol High School, said she is ready to uphold the school’s traditions. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ Quinsigamond Community College’s Respiratory Care program received its third national award when the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care honored its strong exam pass rate+ the 20-month course gives students real lab and hospital experience that leads to almost full job placement. Spectrum News 1
- ➤ Parents in Worcester can support teens interested in STEM by providing a home environment with simple tools and encouraging participation in local science programs and online courses—steps that build skills for future job opportunities. This Week in Worcester
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City residents who join Worcester’s electricity aggregation program will see lower bills starting in January when rates drop from 15.48 to 15.32 cents per kilowatt hour, saving nearly $1 each month. The city signed a two-year contract with Direct Energy ending in November and will soon solicit bids for a new energy savings performance contract—an effort that boosts renewable energy use and reduces carbon emissions. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ Worcester’s Health and Human Services Commissioner Dr. Matilde Castiel announced she will retire at the end of this month. Appointed in 2015 as the city’s first commissioner, she led efforts to reduce overdose deaths—her work highlighted addiction as a disease—and faced challenges like homelessness and COVID-19. Spectrum News 1
- ➤ Radio Roundtable panelists discussed the five contested district races that will shape Worcester’s City Council elections in November, noting that high turnout in these races could decide the competitive At-Large seat contest. They also examined how culture, sports, and student opinions from a Holy Cross op-ed are affecting the city’s identity + town-gown ties. Radio Worcester
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ BSAS commissioner Dee Calvert toured recovery programs in Worcester Tuesday to see how Community Healthlink helps people with addiction; she met a client and thanked caregivers—showing the bureau’s support for transformative recovery. Spectrum News 1
- ➤ UMass Memorial Medical Center unveiled its new rooftop garden three weeks ago at the north pavilion, offering a calm retreat for staff and patients away from the usual hospital noise — it quickly became a popular lunch spot. The hospital will open another green space later this year to further promote healing. Telegram & Gazette
- ➤ UMass Chan Medical School has licensed its single-dose monoclonal antibody—TNX-4800—to Tonix Pharmaceuticals to help prevent Lyme disease as tick bites rise across affected regions. The shot starts working 24—48 hours after injection and is set for further clinical study before licensure in 2028. Spectrum News 1
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The Best Little Food Truck Festival in Milford
12-5 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston - Milford — Free entry — Enjoy delicious food trucks and live music while supporting a good cause.
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22nd Annual Home Run 5K Road Race/Walk
10 AM — Jewish Healthcare Center — Registration fee required — Celebrate community health with a fun-filled 5K run and walk.
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The Story So Far Live Performance
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Palladium — Tickets available — Experience The Story So Far as they debut their new album 'I Want To Disappear'.
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Alabama Live In Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — DCU Center — Tickets available — Experience the iconic country music sensation Alabama as they perform live in Worcester.
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Pink Martini Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices range from $87 to $303 — Experience an evening of eclectic music from the beloved Pink Martini.
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Johnny Mathis Concert
7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the timeless voice of Johnny Mathis, an icon of pop music since the 1950s.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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