Greater Worcester

Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Stow clean energy firm River Otter Renewables have been granted $75,000 each for climate-related initiatives, as part of a $2.5-million award statewide from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

The new research hub will be an outgrowth of the UMass Chan-Lahey regional campus established in December 2022, which received approval from the New England Commission of Higher Education in January.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate in February fell for the second month in a row, after a slight uptick to end 2023.

Eight registered nurses have filed a lawsuit against Saint Vincent Hospital and its owner, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, under the Whistleblower Protection Act, claiming wrongful termination after they reported concerns about unsafe conditions to regulators.

The two projects under works, the redevelopment of the Curtis Apartments on Great Brook Valley Avenue and the Lakeside Apartments on Lakeside Avenue, are dependent on state funding yet to be secured.

Like the bill that cleared the House earlier this month, the Senate bill could push some people out of the system after nine months, marking a major shift in a state with a law guaranteeing access to shelter for eligible families and pregnant women.

One lawmaker told gig economy executives to "buckle up" for his line of questioning. Another described the ballot question proposing to reshape the relationship between popular apps and their drivers as "holding a gun to our heads." And the top senator involved in the process said bluntly to the company reps, "I don't trust you."

Massachusetts would need to legalize the sites, where medical professionals are available to intervene and prevent overdoses, before Worcester could move forward with its pilot, a city spokesman previously told the News Service.

The 40 Under Forty Awards acknowledge up-and-coming leaders of the Central Massachusetts business community.

Founded in 1999 by CEO Delcie Bean when he was 14 years old, Paragus implemented an employee stock ownership plan in 2016 resulting in 40% of the company being turned over to employees. Now, the company has transitioned to 100% employee ownership.