WORCESTER - Shelter, clean water and food: These are the familiar necessities for those fleeing chaos in Syria.

Earlier this week, the Worcester Regional Research Bureau published a brief indicating that only 46 of 351 Massachusetts communities have achieved a state guideline (Chapter 40B) requiring at least 10 percent of their housing to be qualified as affordable.

With the announcement of Superintendent Melinda J. Boone’s departure, education in Worcester is at an important juncture, one that offers an opportunity to consider the state of our schools and what we must do as a community to ensure the best possible education for our young people.

WORCESTER - When it comes to good business leadership, mentoring, collaboration and networking are key watchwords to draw upon.

WORCESTER - Candidates in City Council district races at Mechanics Hall Monday night acknowledged similar views on some issues and carved out differences on other issues going into the final weeks before the Nov. 3 election.

Earlier this year the Worcester Regional Research Bureau recommended a pilot program to establish Neighborhood Councils to boost city’s abysmal voter turnout and encourage civic engagement.

WORCESTER - He didn't grow up here, but as the grandson of Jacob and Frances Hiatt, Jonathan Kraft visited often, and dropped some serious old-school Worcester on the audience at the Worcester Regional Research Bureau's 30th annual meeting Thursday at the DCU Center.

2 minute opening from each candidate. There will be 90 seconds to answer per question, 60 seconds for four candidates to respond, 30 seconds for original candidate to rebut.

WORCESTER – Though Worcester's Home Rule Charter - the blueprint for how the municipal government functions - has been in place for almost 30 years, one provision has yet to be implemented after all these years.

It is Article 8, which provides for the establishment of Neighborhood Area Councils.

WORCESTER - What was billed as a debate was more like a Twitter feed.

Twelve at-large City Council hopefuls sharing a long table at a candidates' forum at Mechanics Hall on Monday night alternated on 90-second answers, 60-second responses and 30-second rebuttals in a format that lent itself to snippet-like replies but offered little room for substantive give and take.