Greater Worcester

Proposed service cuts for weekend commuter rail riders and disabled passengers drew a sharp rebuke from the state's Democrats.

Access Fixtures announced the launch of two lights for pathways, sidewalks, universities, and commercial facilities that can burn for up to 50,000 rated lifetime hours.

Worcester will downgrade its drought alert status to Stage 1 -- a less severe level but one that still comes with water-use restrictions on businesses -- as reservoir conditions have improved.

The city of Worcester is behind by $861 million on what it owes retired city workers and is slated to owe current employees for health care and other benefits, according to a new report.

A $35-million proposal for the former Worcester County Courthouse calls for 300 market-rate apartments in two new buildings and a reuse of the 1800s court building with office and retail space.

A new partnership between the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. and the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce will offer microloans to new businesses in the Assabet Valley.

Ranked by their total earnings in 2016, the top 20 highest paid Massachusetts state employees are all affiliated with the University of Massachusetts, according to WBJ research.

Although Massachusetts foreclosure starts were down for the fifth straight month in comparison to last year, the number in Worcester County increased 5 percent, according to Boston real estate data firm The Warren Group.

Fiske Hill Plaza, a small Strubridge commercial plaza that once housed a karate center, has sold for $750,000.

The Worcester City Council unanimously voted to oppose UMass Memorial Medical Center's plan to reduce its number of psychiatric-unit beds.