Radio Roundtable: Worcester Tobacco Rules, Express Rail, Downtown Mall, Historic Diners & Chandler Street Roundabouts

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Paragus IT Firehouse Cookoff Returns to Polar Park to Benefit Local Charities

by Hank Stolz | Jul 13, 2026 | This Weeks Top Stories

Paragus IT Firehouse Cookoff Returns to Polar Park to Benefit Local Charities

Worcester Firefighters Trade Fire Gear for Chef Aprons at Polar Park

“We’re limited to 300 tickets,” Franco explained. “That’s all we can sell because these guys are making a certain amount of food.”

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic – submitted

WORCESTER, MA-

Firefighters are known for cooking great meals at the station, and on August 18, they’ll put those culinary skills on display for the community during the fifth annual Paragus IT Firehouse Cookoff at Polar Park.

Lieutenant John Franco joined Hank Stolz on Radio Worcester to preview one of Worcester’s most unique fundraising events, where eight firefighter teams prepare signature dishes for 300 lucky guests.

“We’re limited to 300 tickets,” Franco explained. “That’s all we can sell because these guys are making a certain amount of food.”

Unlike a traditional chili cookoff, every team creates its own specialty.

“It’s basically different meals,” Franco said. “All the teams make whatever they want to make. Usually some of the signature meals these guys make all the time in the stations.”

Past menus have featured everything from Baja fish tacos and French dip sandwiches to an award-winning flourless chocolate torte with raspberry reduction that surprised everyone by taking top honors.

Captain Tim Foley, a previous winner, says attendees shouldn’t expect ordinary cookout fare.

“Don’t come expecting a bowl of chili or a hot dog or hamburger, that’s for sure. There have been a lot of great meals over the years.”

In addition to sampling every team’s creation, guests will enjoy live entertainment, including performances by the Worcester Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums, while judges and attendees vote for both professional awards and the coveted People’s Choice Award.

Beyond the friendly competition, the evening has a serious purpose.

“A hundred percent of the donations go back to charities,” Franco said. “That’s what it’s all about really.”

Last year’s event raised $300,000, benefiting Detect Together, the Worcester Firefighter 6K Road Race, and numerous local organizations including the Genesis Club, NEADS World Class Service Dogs, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Hundred Club of Worcester.

The event begins at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, at Polar Park.

Tickets are limited to 300 attendees and are available at firehousecookoff.com.

Why Are Firefighters Such Good Cooks?

Firehouse cooking has long been part of the culture of the American fire service.

Because firefighters often work 24-hour shifts, they prepare and share meals together between emergency calls. Cooking becomes more than just a necessity—it builds teamwork, camaraderie, and morale.

Many stations develop signature recipes over decades, with firefighters becoming known for specialties ranging from barbecue and seafood to homemade pasta and desserts. Friendly competition between firehouses is common, making cookoffs like Worcester’s a natural extension of life in the fire service.

The Paragus IT Firehouse Cookoff gives the public a rare opportunity to taste meals typically enjoyed only around the firehouse kitchen table while supporting organizations that serve the Worcester community.

Sources

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
Worcester Fire Department
Firehouse Cookoff organizers

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Worcester Celebrates 250 Years Since the First Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence URL Slug

by Hank Stolz | Jul 13, 2026 | This Weeks Top Stories

Worcester to Recreate Historic Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Community Reenactment Celebrates Worcester’s Revolutionary Legacy

“250 years ago, these people came together and here we are 250 years later and we should be unified and we should all be patriotic.”

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic – Radio Worcester

WORCESTER, MA-Two hundred fifty years after Worcester residents first gathered to hear the newly adopted Declaration of Independence, the city will recreate that historic moment on the steps of City Hall.

Organizer Kathi Roy joined Hank Stolz on Radio Worcester to preview the July 14 celebration, which commemorates the original public reading of the Declaration by printer and publisher Isaiah Thomas on July 14, 1776.

“Worcester really was instrumental in the beginning of our nation,” Roy said. “There’s a lot of history there.”

The event will recreate the historic gathering that occurred just ten days after delegates approved the Declaration in Philadelphia.

Roy says the anniversary is more than a history lesson—it’s an opportunity for the community to come together.

“250 years ago, these people came together and here we are 250 years later and we should be unified and we should all be patriotic.”

The morning begins at 9:45 a.m. with a town crier ringing an antique bell before the official ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m.

The Declaration of Independence will be read in 13 sections, representing each of the original colonies. The program also includes the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, patriotic music, and appearances by historical interpreters portraying George Washington and Isaiah Thomas.

Families will also have the opportunity to meet the Worcester Red Sox mascots, adding a community-friendly element to the historic celebration.

The event is being organized by local volunteers working alongside the Worcester Historical Museum and the American Antiquarian Society, with participation from city officials, educators, historians, and community organizations.

For Roy, the ceremony is an opportunity to recognize Worcester’s important place in American history while reminding residents that the ideals expressed in the Declaration continue to unite communities nearly two and a half centuries later.

Why July 14 Matters in Worcester History

While Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4, Worcester has its own important Revolutionary milestone.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, but copies had to be physically transported throughout the colonies. It wasn’t until July 14, 1776, that Worcester residents gathered to hear the document read publicly for the first time.

The reading was conducted by Isaiah Thomas, the influential patriot printer who had moved his printing press from Boston to Worcester before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. Thomas would later found the American Antiquarian Society in 1812, one of the nation’s premier institutions for preserving early American history.

The July 14 ceremony helped spread news of independence throughout Central Massachusetts and symbolized Worcester’s early commitment to the Revolutionary cause. Today’s annual reenactment honors that historic moment while celebrating the city’s enduring role in the nation’s founding.

Sources

Worcester Historical Museum
American Antiquarian Society
National Archives: Declaration of Independence
Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

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Seth Moulton Challenges Ed Markey, Calls for New Democratic Leadership in Massachusetts Senate Race URL Slug

by Hank Stolz | Jul 13, 2026 | CANDIDATE, This Weeks Top Stories

Why Seth Moulton Says Massachusetts Needs a New Senator

Moulton Calls for Democratic Change in Challenge to Ed Markey

“There comes a time to pass the torch to the next generation. And when things just aren’t working, well, there’s never been a better time than now.”

By-Hank Stolz
Photo – Submitted

WORCESTER, MA-Congressman Seth Moulton joined Hank Stolz on Radio Worcester to discuss his campaign for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, where he is challenging incumbent Senator Ed Markey in the September 1 primary.

Moulton framed his campaign around generational leadership, arguing that the Democratic Party needs a new approach to address economic concerns and compete more effectively against Republicans.

“There comes a time to pass the torch to the next generation. And when things just aren’t working, well, there’s never been a better time than now.”

He said voters cannot afford to wait another six years for changes in leadership.

A Different Vision for East-West Rail

Transportation emerged as one of Moulton’s signature policy differences with Senator Markey.

Moulton advocated for high-speed rail connecting Springfield and Boston, arguing that existing proposals rely on outdated infrastructure.

“Senator Markey’s plan for East-West Rail is based on a century-old model with trains that will actually run slower than they did in the 1950s.”

He said Massachusetts should pursue modern high-speed rail that would better connect western and eastern parts of the Commonwealth while strengthening the state’s economy.

Haitian Temporary Protected Status

Moulton also discussed the uncertainty surrounding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, an issue with significant implications for Worcester’s Haitian community.

He highlighted legislation he has introduced, the TPS Relief Act, which would require the Supreme Court to rule on TPS-related disputes instead of allowing administrative decisions to remain in effect without judicial review.

“My bill would say, no, it is the court’s decision. You have to make a call. You can’t just let Trump get away with this.”

Democratic Party Leadership

Moulton argued that Democrats need a new strategy in Washington and criticized what he described as an ineffective political playbook under Senate Democratic leadership.

He said one of his first actions if elected would be to oppose Senator Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic leader.

“The very first vote I’ll take when I get to the United States Senate is not for Schumer. I’m going to vote against him.”

While acknowledging his experience in Congress and as a Marine Corps veteran, Moulton said he views himself as an outsider to the Democratic establishment, offering voters an experienced alternative focused on reform.

Massachusetts Democrats will choose their nominee in the September 1 primary.

Who Is Seth Moulton?

Seth Moulton is serving his sixth term representing Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District, which includes much of the state’s North Shore. Before entering politics, he served four tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine Corps infantry officer and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service.

First elected to Congress in 2014 after defeating a longtime incumbent in the Democratic primary, Moulton has built a reputation as a centrist Democrat willing to challenge his own party’s leadership. Throughout his time in Congress, he has focused on national security, veterans’ issues, infrastructure, mental health, and government reform.

In 2026, Moulton announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Ed Markey in the Democratic primary. His campaign argues that Massachusetts needs a new generation of leadership to address rising costs, modernize transportation, and strengthen the Democratic Party’s ability to compete nationally.

The Democratic primary is scheduled for September 1, 2026, with the winner advancing to the general election in November.

Sources: Congressman Seth Moulton – Official Biography — Official U.S. House biography covering his military service, education, and congressional career.

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Worcester Mayor Joe Petty on Haitian TPS, Police Protest Settlement, Worcester Airport, and City Growth

by Hank Stolz | Jul 8, 2026 | PETTY, This Weeks Top Stories

Worcester Mayor Joe Petty on Haitian TPS, Police Protest Settlement, Worcester Airport, and City Growth

Haitian Temporary Protected Status Raises Major Concerns

“They’re part of this community. They work hard and the impact is going to be a very negative impact if this occurs and they start deporting Haitians out of the city.”

By-Hank Stolz
Photo – Submitted

WORCESTER, MA- Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty joined Talk of the Commonwealth for a wide-ranging conversation covering immigration, public safety, economic development, community celebrations, and the city’s future.

Protest Lawsuit Settlement Nears Completion

Mayor Petty discussed the tentative settlement reached in litigation involving arrests made during the June 2020 demonstrations following the death of George Floyd.

Because the agreement has not yet been finalized, the mayor declined to discuss financial details.

“I’m not going to say too much about it right now, maybe next week once it becomes public.”

Petty did, however, reflect on the difficult circumstances faced by Worcester police officers during a rapidly evolving and emotionally charged evening.

Haitian Temporary Protected Status Raises Major Concerns

One of the interview’s most significant topics centered on the possible elimination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many Haitian immigrants.

Petty warned that losing legal work authorization for thousands of Haitians could have serious consequences for Worcester’s economy.

“They’re part of this community. They work hard and the impact is going to be a very negative impact if this occurs and they start deporting Haitians out of the city.”

He pointed specifically to healthcare, nursing homes, home care agencies, restaurants, hospitality, and other industries that rely heavily on Haitian workers.

Petty called for proactive planning, including:

Expanded pro bono legal assistance
Guidance for employers
State support for affected families
Coordination among local, state, and federal officials

He said he has already spoken with James P. McGovern, the Worcester City Manager, and the Kim Driscoll regarding possible responses.

“Where’s people’s moral compass? You’ve got to send people back to Haiti. Are you kidding me?”

Community Celebrations Showcase Worcester

Petty highlighted several recent events that brought residents together.

He praised the Fourth of July festivities at East Park and pointed to Worcester’s successful FIFA World Cup Watch Parties as examples of community-building through shared experiences.

“Bring all these countries together. It shows that we all can get along and we all can really enjoy each other’s company.”

The mayor said events like these help strengthen Worcester’s identity as a welcoming and diverse city.

Addressing Police Recruitment

The interview also touched on legislation extending the maximum hiring age for police officers from 32 to 39.

Petty said the change gives departments another tool to recruit experienced candidates at a time when law enforcement agencies across the country continue to face staffing shortages.

Main South Continues to Evolve

Petty discussed continued investment in the Main South neighborhood, pointing to ongoing development and business activity while acknowledging that challenges involving housing, addiction, and public safety remain.

He emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth with investments that improve quality of life for neighborhood residents.

Worcester Airport’s Future

The conversation concluded with a look at Worcester Regional Airport.

Petty acknowledged that passenger traffic has yet to return to its full potential following the pandemic but expressed optimism that continued improvements and industry recovery will create new opportunities for expansion.

What Is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a federal immigration designation that allows eligible nationals of certain countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work legally in the United States for a limited period.

TPS does not provide permanent legal status or a direct pathway to citizenship. Instead, recipients receive temporary protection from deportation and authorization to work while conditions in their home country remain unsafe.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security periodically reviews each country’s designation and may extend, redesignate, or terminate TPS based on current conditions.

Communities such as Worcester have significant Haitian populations employed in healthcare, elder care, hospitality, manufacturing, and other essential industries. Local leaders have expressed concern that ending TPS could affect employers, local services, and families who have lived and worked in the community for years.

Sources: U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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