On Monday night, the three candidates running for Mayor of Worcester took part in a forum at Mechanics Hall to discuss the city’s safety issues, concerns and economic priorities.

WORCESTER - For two hours, three mayoral candidates were peppered with 15 questions Monday night, covering a variety of topics related to the city government and the public schools, including public safety, community race relations, taxes, the role of the mayor and even local civic engagement.

There will be 15 questions total, 5 to each candidate, based on drawing names from a hat, with comment opportunities on each question.

Believing school safety has become a giant concern, Nick D’Andrea, a first-time candidate for School Committee, has launched a petition demanding swift action from Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Melinda Boone.

WORCESTER - The forum Monday night for the 10 School Committee candidates seemed at times like a "speed round" game show segment, but the six incumbents and four challengers on the Nov. 3 ballot still managed to draw some clear distinctions.

WORCESTER - City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. looked down Front Street from the sidelines of the City Hall vs. local media kickball game Friday afternoon and ticked off the list of planned projects either planned or underway in the neighborhood.

WORCESTER – Notions as to why some people of color struggle economically in Worcester abounded Monday at the latest federally facilitated dialogue on race, with solutions somewhat more elusive.

Greater Worcester is a good place for businesses to operate, but a looser regulatory environment could make the region even better, especially in the face of an increasingly competitive global marketplace, according to four business leaders who engaged in a panel discussion Wednesday morning.

WORCESTER – If Worcester is to continue to inch out of Boston’s shadow, it will need to keep easing restrictions on businesses and more fully develop into an urban center, top local executives said at a panel Wednesday morning.

WORCESTER – Representatives from some of the region’s largest multinational businesses today listed the ways the companies and their employees get involved in Worcester, ranging from refinishing floors for nonprofits to funding scholarships.