Greater Worcester

Worcester has been seeking to grow its life sciences industry, but industry advocates say adopting the opt-in specialized energy code will hinder biotech development in Worcester.

The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature in Worcester has named Debra Shear to the newly created position of chief advancement officer.

Municipalities want to create programs to provide cheaper, greener power for their residents, and are backing a bill to cut through regulatory red tape and would allow them to get approval more quickly and easily.

Massachusetts is going to run out of places to shelter newly arriving immigrants and other families without housing "very, very soon," leaving the one state in the country that has a legal obligation to shelter unhoused families in a position where "there is not going to be literally any room at the inn," Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said Thursday morning.

UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Lowell have received $8.9 million from the National Institutes of Health in support for their development of home care technology.

Boston developer Bulfinch Cos. has pulled the plug on plans to repurpose the former Neiman Marcus department store at the Natick Mall as lab space and is instead working with a fitness club owner to put a pickleball club in the shopping center.

Legislation that would offer families financial assistance with the cost of early education and child care and address the stability of the industry would lead to huge increases in the percentage of young kids in such programs and would dramatically reduce the cost burden for families.

Hardwick-based Wellhart, a staffing agency providing a database of healthcare professionals available on a temporary basis, is expanding its provider network.

Two new faculty scientists at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

The Ballpark Commission, which oversees certain aspects of Polar Park programming, will remain in place, following an 8-1 vote in favor of keeping it at a Worcester city council meeting.