Worcester Sun, Jan. 20-27: Mariano’s diagnosis for Medicaid, old story for Worcester three-deckers, Law & Order, thoughts on council terms + more

Sun columnist

Mariano: Trump’s Medicaid work requirement is only half-baked

Ray Mariano

“Unfortunately, while the overall idea has considerable merit, in my opinion, the Trump proposal is only half-baked. Rather than a thoughtful program that will accomplish the laudable goal of helping more people get back to work and off of government assistance, this program is thin on details and lacks the financial wherewithal to make it work.”

The Big Picture

For Worcester’s three-deckers, it’s an old story |  In his recent inaugural address, Mayor Joseph M. Petty said, “As a city, we need to have a conversation about housing.” If the age of Worcester’s three-deckers is any indication, the mayor is absolutely right to make this a priority.

New in the Sun! | Law & Order

Man stabbed in Pleasant Street neighbor dispute |  Law & Order will be a regular feature, with information released by the office of Attorney General Maura Healey, Massachusetts State Police, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr., and the police departments of Worcester, Auburn, Boylston, Grafton, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Paxton, Shrewsbury and West Boylston.

Sun Spots with Hitch [Vol. 234]: City Council terms of endearment |  At-large Councilor Moe Bergman brings a thoughtful, often centrist, approach to the string-pulling at City Hall. Entering his third term on the heels of the most votes he’s ever received, the council’s even-keeled litigator wants officials to consider extending councilors’ terms from two years to three. Funny how this conversation never came up when boorish and combustible litigator Mike Gaffney was on the council. Hitch has his reservations.

Editorial: Three-year council terms worth a look |  A new year is a good time to take a fresh look at old ways of doing things. A proposal to lengthen the term in office for future councilors from two years to three makes sense, so far. With further answers and exploration, in a few years Worcester could have a new election calendar.

Chris Sinacola

Sun columnist

Sina-cism: Bitcoin may be as good as gold |  “To critics who say that Bitcoin is speculation in something whose ‘real value’ is less than tangible, I ask, ‘Isn’t cash much the same thing?’ ”

Guest commentary | From The Conversation

Beyond #MeToo, Brazilian women rise up against racism and sexism |  Women’s empowerment recently got a big boost at the Golden Globes, but the United States isn’t the only place having a feminist revival. The viral success of #MeuPrimeiroAssedio spurred a spate of social media activism in Brazil, where despite decades of feminist efforts gender inequality remains deeply entrenched.

College notebook

Courtesy Quinsigamond Community College

QCC President Luis Pedraja speaks with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito at a recent announcement outlining a new partnership between QCC and WPI.

The Quad [Jan. 20-27]: Four things to know from WPI, QCC, Clark and Holy Cross |  Have campus news you or your college or university organization would like to share? Let us know by emailing it to info@worcester.ma. Be sure to send a link to the full release on your site or Facebook page so we can include it and point Sun members your way.

Giselle Rivera-Flores

Sun Serial

The Balancing Act: The disconnect | “Social movements are the case studies most entrepreneurs are not reading. While their eyes are rampantly skimming through business books in search of the Golden Rule of success, they have overlooked the possibilities made through social movements and have failed to adopt some of their practices.”

Worcester Weekly: ‘Flora in Winter,’ Holy Cross hotshot + more, Jan. 20-27 |  The most fun you’ll have with a calendar of events all week. And you just might learn something, too. Here are some of the best things to do, places to go — and reasons why — over the next few days.

Photo Courtesy UniBank

UniBank recently donated $20,000 to Worcester Community Action Council’s (WCAC) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Inbox [Jan. 20-27] News and notes from WCAC, St. Peter-Marian, Primetals and more |  Have news you or your group would like to share? Let us know by emailing it to info@worcester.ma. Be sure to include a link to the full release on your site or Facebook page so we can include it and send Sun members your way.