WORCESTER - District 5 hopefuls Matthew Wally and Paul Franco sparred the most at a debate Thursday night for the City Council district races.

WORCESTER – Issuing a call for urgency in the face of complacency over the success of the state’s public education system, Massachusetts Secretary of Education James A. Peyser on Thursday outlined the state government’s efforts to improve career training, early childhood education quality, and other key areas.

“Foreclosures can have a devastating effect on individuals and families, but properties slated for foreclosure, experiencing significant disinvestment and a lack of maintenance, also “present a danger to the safety and welfare of public safety officers, the public, occupants, abutters and neighborhoods and...constitute a public nuisance” (Worcester’s Vacant and Foreclosing Property Ordinance),” says the Research Bureau in its report.

The Research Bureau is set to host their 32nd annual meeting focused on Building on a Strong Foundation.

SHREWSBURY — The Worcester Regional Research Bureau has announced that it will present Daniel J. Morgado, former town manager of Shrewsbury, with the Fairman C. Cowan Municipal Leadership Award at its 32nd annual meeting at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester.

WORCESTER – The seven candidates for School Committee participated in the candidates forum on Monday night at Mechanics Hall.

To have a great city you need a great school system, renewing the community as it educates new generations for careers and for roles as future leaders, and in attracting new residents and businesses drawn by the strength of its schools.

WORCESTER – With only one new challenger in the race for School Committee this year – and one overarching challenge facing the district – discussion was tempered Monday at a debate at Mechanics Hall.

WORCESTER – Recently retired Shrewsbury Town Manager Daniel J. Morgado will be presented with the Fairman C. Cowan Municipal Leadership Award.

WORCESTER – Mechanics Hall will host a series of debates next month with candidates for Worcester municipal elections.