Mashable

If you're looking for a cheap weekend activity to get your kids into the Halloween spirit, Lego is hosting free make-and-take events at participating stores across the U.S. and Canada.

On Oct. 25 from 12-2 p.m., Lego Stores are inviting fans to build and take home a limited-edition Lego Ghost Street build completely free of charge. As always, there is a small catch.

The event is strictly reserved for Lego Insiders. That's no reason to give up on this giveaway. If you aren't a member yet, you can sign up for free before heading to the store. We also recommend turning up early. The build is offered on a strict first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Lines usually form 30 to 45 minutes before the start time, so it pays to be prepared.

There is always a lot of interest in these free events. No, you aren't walking away with a $100 build without spending anything, but you are taking home a miniature display model that you can't purchase. It's that exclusivity that gets the people going.

The Ghost Street make-and-take event is intended for participants aged 6+, and be sure to visit your local store page to check whether they're participating before heading out.

Elon Musk says he "got carried away" when working with the White House, and now thinks he shouldn't have continued running the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for so long.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk says he’ll give every kid in America a SpaceX share in 2027

President Donald Trump established DOGE within days of his inauguration last January, tasking vocal supporter Musk to lead it in reducing alleged government overspending. DOGE soon sent federal organisations into turmoil by taking sweeping measures such as laying off over 280,000 government workers and shutting down the U.S.' international aid agency.

Speaking on The Builders podcast on Tuesday, Musk agreed with host Walter Isaacson's suggestion that he appeared "intoxicated" by his proximity to power while working with the White House. Isaacson specifically referenced an incident last February in which the billionaire waved around a chainsaw while on stage at a conservative conference, calling it "the chainsaw for bureaucracy."

"Yeah, I think that's true," said Musk, indicating that he regretted being so public-facing. "I got carried away basically."

Musk gained significant attention for various stunts during his time working with the Trump administration, such as his infamous "Roman"/Nazi salute. He and Trump also co-hosted a Tesla ad together at the White House, with the president deriding Musk's critics and purchasing a $90,000 Tesla Model S Plaid.

"It was interesting to sort of go around with President Trump and go on Marine One and Air Force One and all that sort of stuff," said Musk. "It was a little bit [seductive]. I mean, it was kind of cool 'cause I'm just there in the Oval Office while all these like, big momentous decisions are being made and, you know, sometimes having some impact on what's being done.

"But I think maybe I should have been more in the background, and probably only had it last for, you know, a month or two. Because at that point you've sort of seen most of what there is to see within a month or two."

Musk had initially claimed DOGE would reduce government spending by at least $2 trillion, but such savings failed to materialise. The billionaire later revised DOGE's goal down to $150 billion, yet even then, many claimed savings were either exaggerated or could not be verified. 

Even so, Musk still seems to believe he could have eliminated the U.S. government's debts had he been given even more free reign.

"The problem is if you try to solve the deficit and stop wasteful spending, you make a lot of enemies in that situation," said Musk. "And President Trump is not, you know, he likes to be liked."

Musk declined to speak about exactly what happened when he eventually did leave DOGE last May, saying only that it was "a weird weekend." News of Musk's departure came just one day after he had heavily criticised Trump's tax bill, saying that it "increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing." 

Trump and Musk had been fairly aligned prior to this point. Musk told The Builders that he had supported President Donald Trump's run for office out of a desire for a free market economy and "less bureaucracy," as well as interests such as "aspirationally sensible spending."

However, their disagreement about the tax bill sparked a fresh feud between the two, with the president and the billionaire soon attacking each other on their respective social media platforms Truth Social and X.

"Let's let sleeping dogs lie," Musk told Isaacson when asked about the split. "Let's not put a spade down in the backyard, type of thing. You never know what you're going to find."

Though DOGE's existence was always intended to be temporary, Musk departed well before its previously planned conclusion on July 4, 2026. The initiative quietly died after he left, and no longer existed by November 2025.

"I came to the conclusion that there was no way we were going to solve the deficit from within the government. Impossible," said Musk. "Maybe if the president made that his primary goal, we could do that…. I came to the conclusion that the only way we're going to solve the national debt is with AI and robots."

Musk has refocused his attention on his various tech companies since leaving DOGE, including SpaceXSI.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who live in St. Louis.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Playing H.O.R.S.E

• Green: Missouri sports

• Blue: Cheeseheads

• Purple: Blue teams

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Basketball Shots

• Green: St. Louis Teams

• Blue: Packers WRs, Past and Present

• Purple: Blue____

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #758 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Basketball Shots: ALLEY-OOP, DUNK, FADEAWAY, FREE THROW

• St. Louis Teams: BILLIKENS, BLUES, CARDINALS, ST. LOUIS CITY

• Packers WRs, Past and Present: ADAMS, DRIVER, GOLDEN, NELSON

• Blue____: DEVILS, JACKETS, JAYS, LINE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 21, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 21, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 21 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 21 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer 5-2, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 21 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer 3-4, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League isn't short of huge matchups, but this week still feels like an extra special treat. Fresh from PSG vs. Barcelona, we're now blessed with Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal. Both sides are unbeaten after two rounds of games, and this could easily have been the final last season.

We're expecting a fascinating clash between two teams laden with stars. We're hoping for big performances from the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice.

If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal?

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 21. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal for free

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock RTÉ Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit RTÉ Player

5. Watch Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League group stage is starting to take shape, and it's no surprise to see Real Madrid in a strong position. José Mourinho's team are sitting on six points after two games, three points ahead of their next opponents, RB Leipzig. The visitors are coming off an embarrassing 6-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, so they'll be desperate to improve.

If you want to watch Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig?

Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 21. This fixture takes place at the Santiago Bernabéu.

How to watch Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig for free

Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access it for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Como vs. Manchester United in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is a tough competition. Manchester United started their campaign with a comfortable victory over Sabah but suffered a disappointing defeat to Atlético Madrid in the second round. There's now some serious pressure on Michael Carrick's team as they head to Como.

If you want to watch Como vs. Manchester United in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Como vs. Manchester United?

Como vs. Manchester United in the Champions League kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 21. This fixture takes place at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium.

How to watch Como vs. Manchester United for free

Como vs. Manchester United is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access it for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Como vs. Manchester United for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Como vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Como vs. Manchester United (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Como vs. Manchester United in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Ashy.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SOOTY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Reward.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PRIZE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Cold precipitation.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 21, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 21, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SLEET

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Jacked.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

STOLE

Final Hurdle hint

Stocking material.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

NYLON

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 21, 2026 Duck Duck Goose meaning

A traditional children's circle game.

Hot Potato meaning

A controversial, difficult or problematic issue that no one wants to deal with..

Leapfrog meaning

A traditional children's game in which one player crouches or bends over at the waist, and others take turns hopping over their back.

Musical Chairs meaning

A party game where players walk or march around a row or circle of chairs while music plays.

Alpha dog meaning

The dominant leader or highest-ranking animal in a dog or wolf pack.

Big cheese meaning

An important, influential person who holds power, authority,or a top leadership position in an organization or company.

Heavyweight meaning

Someone or something of above-average weight.

Top banana meaning

The most important, powerful or leading person in a group, organization or activity

American Gothic meaning

A 1930s oil painting of a Midwestern farmer holding a pitchfork and his unmarried grown daughter.

Campbell's Soup Can meaning

A series of 32 paintings produced by American artist Andy Warhol.

Sunflowers meaning

A tall, annual flowering plant in the daisy family, famous for its large, bright yellow flower heads and edible seeds.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

The Scream meaning

An iconic 1893 proto-expressionist painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.

English horn meaning

A double-reed woodwind musical instrument in the oboe family.

Grape-nuts meaning

A classic American breakfast cereal made from whole grain wheat.

Mantis shrimp meaning

Carnivorous marine crustaceans.

Sweetbread meaning

A culinary name for the thymus or pancreas.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're obedient.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for October 21, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Cease

• Green: Servant

• Blue: Facial hair

• Purple: Animated roles

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Classic children's games

• Green: Important person

• Blue: Famous paintings

• Purple: Double misnomers (neither word is an accurate description)

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1227 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Classic children's games: DUCK DUCK GOOSE, HOT POTATO, LEAPFROG, MUSICAL CHAIRS

• Important person: ALPHA DOG, BIG CHEESE, HEAVYWEIGHT, TOP BANANA

• Famous paintings: AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS, THE SCREAM

• Double misnomers (neither word is an accurate description): ENGLISH HORN, GRAPE-NUTS, MANTIS SHRIMP, SWEETBREAD

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're a hoarder.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On a higher level

The words are related to storage.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe storing things at home.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is In the Attic.

NYT Strands word list for October 21

• In the Attic

• Luggage

• Boxes

• Decoration

• Trunks

• Yearbooks

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you carry spare change.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 21, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

One cent.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter N appears twice.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

PENNY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 license for $27.97 (reg. $499.99) through Oct. 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 $27.97
$499.99 Save $472.02   Get Deal

Most professional IDEs are sold as subscriptions, so you keep paying for as long as you use them. That includes most versions of Visual Studio Pro, but there’s a way around it. Right now, you can actually get Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 for Windows as a lifetime license, and it’s on sale for $27.97 (reg. $499.99).

This version of Visual Studio adds AI to debugging and performance work. When you run the profiler or debugger, AI agents suggest fixes and can generate unit tests for the code in front of you. IntelliCode also looks at your own codebase, including your variable names, functions, and libraries, and finishes lines or whole blocks for you.

Large solutions load up to twice as fast, a change you’ll notice if your projects take a while to open. If you use Visual Studio 2022, there’s nothing to migrate. You can install 2026 next to it, and your current projects and extensions still work. Microsoft also split the IDE from the .NET and C++ build tools, so updating Visual Studio doesn’t change the tool versions your builds rely on.

Live Share lets coworkers code and debug in the same session without cloning your repo or installing your dependencies. You can use Visual Studio 2026 to build .NET MAUI mobile and desktop apps, Blazor web apps in C#, and .NET or C++ apps for Windows, Linux, and containers. You can install it on one PC running Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server 2019 or 2022.

Pay for Visual Studio once instead of keeping up a subscription. Through Oct. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 for just $27.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Pay once and download videos from streaming sites for life with this Windows lifetime license for SameMovie All-In-One Video Downloader, on sale now for just $99.99 (reg. $149.90).

Opens in a new window Credit: SameMovie SameMovie All-In-One Video Downloader: Lifetime License (Windows) $99.99
$149.90 Save $49.91   Get Deal

If you’re paying for multiple streaming services month after month, wouldn’t it be nice to have something to show for it? SameMovie All-In-One Video Downloader gives them all an added benefit, making it possible to download and keep content from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more.

Right now, you can secure a Windows lifetime license for SameMovie All-In-One Video Downloader for just $99.99.

Whether you’ve got a big trip coming up that requires a lot of offline content or you’re simply sick of keeping tabs on which streamer is currently showing your favorite comfort show, SameMovie All-In-One Video Downloader is ready to make your streamers work for you.

With SameMovie, you can download videos from over 1,000 free and paid streaming services for offline viewing, including Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more. Your downloads come in up to 1080p HD, 4K, or even 8K depending on the source video.

Play the files back on computers, phones, tablets, and TVs, making this a perfect pre-flight routine if you’re looking to load up on a full season of content. Keep multilingual audio tracks and 5.1 surround sound, with the subtitles embedded or saved as separate SRT or VTT files.

Supported devices offer ad-free downloads, and you can also extract MP3 or AAC audio. SameMovie includes a built-in browser if you’re looking to find titles by name or URL, too.

This lifetime license for Windows includes future updates and technical support if needed.

Stay entertained anytime with this Windows lifetime license for SameMovie All-In-One Video Downloader, on sale now for just $99.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A Texas man sentenced to 60 years in prison for armed robbery is seeking to overturn his conviction based on the use of Flock cameras to track his movements.

The man, 37-year-old Charles Brownlee, was found guilty of five armed robberies in 2024. According to his legal team, authorities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area used Flock cameras to monitor his vehicle's movements and create a "pattern of life" to tie him to the crimes, reported the Texas Tribune.

SEE ALSO: Meta: We're sorry for banning No Kings Instagram account

Brownlee's legal team is arguing that this "pattern" was obtained through unconstitutional surveillance methods enabled by Flock camera networks. They contend police should have obtained a search warrant before accessing Flock databases, which surveil Texans via tens of thousands of Flock cameras across the state.

"Flock’s surveillance database indiscriminately collects a vast trove of locational data about Americans who drive or ride in cars. By capturing, storing, retrieving, and indexing this data, Flock gives police the power to find almost anyone and reconstruct their movements," wrote Brownlee’s legal team in a brief submitted to the 5th Circuit Court.

Brownlee previously sought to toss the Flock data before going to trial, but the judge denied the request.

In a case earlier this month, a federal judge ruled the use of Flock camera databases to track a drug trafficking suspect's movements across state lines was unconstitutional. The woman at the center of the case was found in possession of methamphetamine after a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officer ran her plate number through Flock databases and deemed her recent travels suspicious.

"Freedom from persistent, dragnet-style surveillance while in public is not a foreign concept in our society, and it is a reasonable expectation that society already accepts," Judge Sara E. Hill wrote in her decision at the time.

You Can See Everything has the internet in a chokehold. Since that teaser first dropped, people have been fascinated by the very idea that comedian Nathan Fielder made a documentary about infamous Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Then came a flood of praise from critics. Wild rumors about the movie's contents sprung up online. Finally, last weekend, the public had the chance to see if You Can See Everything lived up to the hype, and they came out in force.

Making $15 million its opening weekend, You Can See Everything broke a record for the best opening of a documentary in a decade, according to Deadline. That record was briefly held by Melania, which made $7.1 million earlier this year. Making this achievement all the more remarkable, You Can See Everything is playing in fewer than 1,000 theaters across the U.S. and is nearly three hours long.

SEE ALSO: Let's talk 'You Can See Everything' spoilers: An explainer for Nathan Fielder's Elizabeth Holmes documentary

And the hype is not dying down. Fans are not only taking to social media to talk spoilers but also urging others not just to see the movie, but to see it in theaters. But not for the reasons you might think.

Often, when critics say "see it in theaters," we mean that the cinematic spectacle a filmmaker has created deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible with a top-notch immersive stereo system to match. When fandoms urge folks to go to theaters, they might also mean that a big box office could lead to more movies like this being made. But You Can See Everything fans have a different reason: This film demands to be experienced in a crowd.

This sentiment can be found on numerous posts on Threads, ranging from minor spoilers to major ones. Then there are brief, spoiler-free reviews, like this one:

Credit: Threads screenshot

Meanwhile, on X, similar sentiments of enthusiasm were echoed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

On TikTok, some posted video of the lobby, following their screenings, where audience members stood around in groups to converse. While user Tyler Dema shared how watching You Can See Everything with a crowd was a terrific and unique experience. He explained, "Watching You Can See Everything in an theater packed with people is undoubtedly the way that god and Nathan Fielder intended it to be. We were all gooped and gasping and guffawing together. It...really gave you a sense of community at what a wild journey we all took together. It was beautiful."

This reflected my own experience at the film's New York Film Festival premiere, from which I wrote in my review, "As a movie, it's a hell of an experience. Personally, I gasped, shouted, laughed, and even gagged." What I left out is that I wasn't alone. The theater was booming with vocal explosions. And to be a part of that, all you have to do is go to the theater and experience it for yourself.

You Can See Everything Is Now playing in theaters.

On Monday, Mashable reported on the burglary of a FedEx truck carrying packages of valuable trading cards, which had recently left a Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) facility in Southern California. PSA is a leader in grading valuable trading cards.

New details have since emerged about the theft, which indicate that this was a more sophisticated, targeted heist. We also now know just how valuable some of the stolen Pokémon and sports cards were.

According to a new report from the New York Times and The Athletic, the FedEx truck was parked outside of PSA’s headquarters in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 13. The Santa Ana Police told The Athletic that the FedEx truck was left unattended for as long as 90 minutes. During that window of time, the truck's locks were broken, and three pallets of recently graded cards being sent back to their owners were stolen by the thieves, the police told the outlet. According to the report, two pallets held around 100 packages each, and a third contained roughly 50 packages.

PSA told police that two of the pallets were valued at around $963,000, The Athletic reported. The company is reportedly still assessing the value of the third pallet, but it seems likely the total value of the stolen cards will be more than $1 million.

The Santa Ana Police Department is currently investigating the crime.

"We are working closely with law enforcement and the carrier as the investigation continues," PSA told Mashable in a statement on Monday. "We have deactivated the certificates for the stolen items and notified marketplace partners so they can be on the lookout for rare and serialized items."

Online, affected PSA customers are sharing emails from PSA informing them of the theft, and some collectors are speculating about how the thieves knew to target that particular truck. The speculation isn't unwarranted. There have been previous cases where delivery workers have been found guilty of stealing trading cards and other sports memorabilia while the items were in transit.

Collectors send their trading cards to PSA, or Professional Sports Authenticator, in order to get them graded. During this process, a professional authenticates the card as legitimate and also assesses the item's condition, which could greatly boost its value to prospective buyers. 

According to PSA, the company will compensate customers for the stolen cards based on "fair market value up to the Maximum Insured Value."

However, there are potential issues with how compensation will be assessed. One PSA customer, YouTuber Sky-B Cards, shared yesterday in a social media post that he had 104 cards stolen, worth more than $100,000. In a subsequent YouTube video, Sky-B Cards went through the list of cards that he had sent to PSA to be graded. As the YouTuber pointed out, some of these cards will be hard to calculate a reimbursement value for, as they included error cards, which usually sell at a premium when compared to the card's estimated value.

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The best NBA streaming deals at a glance: Best for ESPN and ABC games ESPN Unlimited annual plan $319.99/year (save $63.89) Get Deal Best for NBC and Peacock games Peacock Premium annual plan $129.99/year (save $25.89) Get Deal Best for Prime Video games Prime Video only $8.99/month (save $6/month compared to Prime subscription) Get Deal BEST FOR OUT-OF-MARKET GAMES NBA League Pass starting at $16.99/month Get Deal

A couple monumental things happened last NBA season: the New York Knicks brought home the championship for the first time in over 50 years and the league rekindled its broadcast partnership with NBC after 23 long years. This year, the season is tipping off with a triple-header on the network (and its Peacock streaming counterpart) between the Celtics and Pistons (3 p.m. ET), the 76ers and Knicks (7 p.m. ET), and the Thunder and Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET) on Oct. 20.

Watching the 2026-2027 NBA season requires the same streaming services as last season, at least for national broadcasts. Still, if you need a refresher or you're new to watching basketball, getting your streaming lineup ready is no walk in the park. Between regional sports networks, blackout games, and national broadcasts, we have a lot to cover. Buckle up. Here's your guide to watching the 2026-2027 NBA season, including all of the best streaming deals.

When does the 2026-2027 NBA season start?

The NBA season officially tips off on Oct. 20, 2026, with a triple-header on NBC and Peacock. The 82-game regular season wraps up April 11, 2027.

What channels do I need to watch live NBA games this season?

The NBA's long-standing contract with TNT officially concluded prior to last season, with NBC taking its spot after two decades. The network and its streaming counterpart, Peacock, will air up to 100 regular season games on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights in the 2026-2027 season. There will also be several games exclusively streaming on Peacock.

Besides NBC, the NBA also struck up a landmark deal with Amazon last season. For the second year in a row, Prime Video is getting a slice of the basketball schedule. Prime Video will present exclusive global coverage for 67 NBA regular-season games, Emirates NBA Cup games, and the Eastern Conference Finals.

You'll also need ABC and ESPN, as the networks will broadcast 80 regular-season games for the 25th straight season. Of course, you'll also need access to your regional sports network, as in years past.

Here's a breakdown of the general TV schedule for national broadcasts:

• Sunday — ABC and NBC/Peacock

• Monday — Peacock/NBSN

• Tuesday — NBC/Peacock

• Wednesday — ESPN

• Thursday — Prime Video

• Friday — Prime Video and ESPN (starting midseason)

• Saturday — ABC/ESPN and Prime Video

How to watch NBA games this season without cableNational broadcasts

There will be 247 national broadcasts this season, once again, with games airing on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video. Even if you have cable, you'll still need Peacock and Prime Video in order to watch those exclusive games. No cable? No worries. Peacock has you covered with NBC broadcasts as well as Peacock exclusives, and ESPN's Unlimited tier has you covered with ESPN and ABC broadcasts. You can watch nearly 250 games this season with Peacock, ESPN Unlimited, and Prime Video alone.

Local broadcasts

Unfortunately, national broadcasts only make up a small fraction of the full slate of games. Most games are broadcast locally via regional sports networks (RSNs), though many teams have started to move away from these traditional RSN models. Regardless, for these games, it will largely come down to whether or not the team you want to watch is in-market or out-of-market.

In-market games:

In order to watch in-market games, you'll still need access to your team's RSN or streaming counterpart this year. But here's the thing: this might be the last year of RSNs. These regional sports networks are largely going bankrupt due to customers cutting the cord. Next season, look out for a centralized streaming hub that houses local NBA broadcasts of most teams. Until then, you'll have to subscribe to your team's specific RSN or streaming service for the 2026-2027 season.

DAZN signed on as a partner for the NBA this season, with the exclusive or digital local broadcast rights to 10 different teams. Prime Video has also acquired the exclusive rights to Hawks games, plus non-exclusively shows four other teams. If you're unsure of what network or service you need to watch your team in 2026, see our FAQs below.

Out-of-market games:

If you're a fan of an out-of-market team, you'll need NBA League Pass. League Pass streams practically all regional broadcasts for teams that aren't in your local market. For example, if you live in New York City, you'll be able to watch every team via NBA League Pass except the Knicks and Nets. NBA League Pass costs $16.99 per month to watch on one device with commercials or $24.99 per month to watch on up to three devices with in-arena streams (no commercials).

The best live TV streaming deals for NBA gamesBest for ESPN and ABC games: Save 16% on the ESPN Unlimited yearly plan Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited annual plan $319.99/year (save $63.89) Get Deal

ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service, launched last year, unlocks access to the entire suite of ESPN networks and services in one subscription. You'll get to stream NBA games from ESPN and ABC (as well as plenty of other sports and leagues) in real time. It typically costs $31.99 per month, but if you commit to a full year, you'll save about 16% or over $60. Of course, you can watch more than just NBA games, making the yearly plan worth it, particularly for fans of multiple sports.

Best for NBC and Peacock games: Save 17% on Peacock annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $129.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

When Peacock isn't running any sort of special (which it does a few times per year — keep an eye out around Black Friday), the best Peacock deal for most people on any given day is the annual subscription plan. When you pay upfront for the year, you'll end up getting 12 months for the price of 10. A monthly subscription with ads usually costs $12.99 per month (which adds up to $155.88), but paying upfront drops that price to only $129.99 (which breaks down to $10.83 per month). That's a total savings of 17%.

The Peacock Premium Plus plan costs $199.99 per year (which breaks down to about $16.67 per month instead of $19.99) and offers ad-free content. Live sports, however, will still include ads. If you're subscribing to Peacock specifically for NBA games, you might as well go for the cheaper option.

More Peacock deals:

• Free Peacock Premium for eligible Xfinity customers

• Free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers

• Free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ subscribers

• Students save $6/month on one year of Peacock Premium

• First responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers save $5/month on Peacock Premium

Best for Prime Video games: Save $6 per month on Prime Video only Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video only $8.99 per month Get Deal

If you're only interested in Prime Video for the NBA games, you probably don't care about all the extra perks of being a Prime member. In that case, you don't need to pay $14.99 per month for Prime. You can simply subscribe to Prime Video as a standalone service for only $8.99 per month instead and save yourself $6 per month.

Of course, Amazon makes it unnecessarily complicated to sign up for Prime Video on its own. When you go to sign up for a subscription, be sure to select the option to "see more plans" or "change plans." Then, navigate to the option for Prime Video on its own. You can still cancel whenever you want, just as you would a full Prime membership.

More Prime Video deals:

• Save 22% on an Amazon Prime annual membership

• Students save $7.50 per month with Prime for Young Adults

Best for out-of-market games: Save over 40% on NBA League Pass annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: NBA League Pass NBA League Pass annual plan $109.99 per season with ads, $159.99 per season without ads Get Deal

Similar to NFL's Sunday Ticket, minus the outrageous fee, NBA League Pass gives fans access to live out-of-market games. Plus, you'll get to enjoy games from the NBA's archive, analysis, documentaries, highlights, and more. Local games on NBA TV, as well as nationally broadcast games, will be blacked out live. You can tune into locally blacked-out games three days after the live broadcast and nationally broadcast games three hours after. It costs $16.99 or $24.99 per month, but if you pay for the whole season upfront, it'll only cost you $109.99 or $159.99. The more expensive option unlocks ad-free viewing and the ability to stream on three devices at once.

The first five episodes of Love Is Blind Season 11 hit Netflix on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and this time, we’re following 30 singles from the Boston area who are ready to find true love and settle down.

The fresh group of New Englanders is taking on the challenge of getting engaged without seeing their potential spouses. The season is hosted by married celebrity couple Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey, who have seen their fair share of engagements, marriages, and breakups across 10 prior seasons of Love Is Blind. Season 11 introduces us to 14 men and 16 women ages 28 to 40, from entrepreneurs and engineers to consultants and account executives.

Here’s the rundown on this season’s cast members, with biographical details from Netflix Tudum, including their Instagram handles (and astrological signs, if you’re curious).

Spoilers for the first five episodes of Love Is Blind Season 11 follow.

Blake Carver (@tropicanacoyote)

Blake, 38, is a Cancer – a fitting sign for someone who is also a yacht captain. The water sign is looking for someone who is open to being out on the open seas with him, which is why he was surprised to hit it off with Benita, who hasn’t spent that much time on a boat before. 

The two bonded over Balkan culture, since Benita is Albanian and Blake briefly lived in Croatia. However, Blake also made a connection with Erika, and the two had some great banter talking about their favorite sleep practices and how they show up in relationships.

Credit: Netflix

Benita Paloja (@benitapalo)

Credit: Netflix

Benita is a 31-year-old insurance agent and Taurus from Kosovo, Albania. She immigrated with her family to the United States in 1999, which she says has made her extremely close with her family. She hit it off with both Blake and Morrey, but seemed to have a stronger connection with Blake. 

However, after getting the sense that Blake had a stronger connection with Erika, Benita chose to walk away from their connection and said that Blake was making the "biggest mistake of his life."

Erika (@errrika1)

Credit: Netflix

Erika, 37, is a marketing director who loves her home just as much as she loves to travel. A Cancer like Blake, Erika said she feels grounded by the sea, with Blake suggesting that she join him on his yacht. 

The pair hit it off after discovering that they had many similarities, like previously living in San Diego and starting beverage companies.

While Erika was uncomfortable that Blake had a connection with Benita, she decided to keep growing a connection with him, and the pair ended up getting engaged in the pods.

Morrey Eglin (@morrey__)

Credit: Netflix

Morrey is a 32-year-old entrepreneur who is also a boxer, a part-time bouncer at a busy Boston bar, and a full-time Libra. He got to know both Benita and Sarah in the pods, but things got a little messy after he got into a tiff with Benita. He called off their connection, deciding that he didn’t want to rush into a commitment with her.

However, Sarah had already formed a stronger connection with John, and ended things with Morrey.

Sarah Williams (@swillyyyy)

Credit: Netflix

Sarah, 34, is a healthcare program manager and part-time bartender. Sarah, a Libra, said she has been single for six years and is hoping to make a connection built on friendship rather than looks.

She formed connections with both Morrey and John, but ended up choosing her connection with John.

John Shannon (@johnshannon_)

Credit: Netflix

John is a 33-year-old account executive, Gemini, and most importantly, a dog dad. He recently found out he has multiple sclerosis (MS), and is looking for a lifelong partner with strong convictions. 

John shared an awkward moment with Sarah after she overheard him calling her part of his “bottom two,” but the two were able to move past this and ultimately hit it off in the pods, ultimately getting engaged.

Cameron "Cam" Halloran (@cameronhalloran)

Credit: Netflix

Cam is a 29-year-old HR generalist and Scorpio who has spent some time in Ghana and India. During his time in India, he read a book called My Gita (based on the Hindu text The Bhagavad Gita) several times.

It’s no surprise that he hit it off with Aneha, who comes from a Hindu family. But he also hit it off Malaine, a breast cancer survivor who bonded with Cam after he confided that his mom survived cancer.

He ended up forming a stronger connection with Aneha, saying that she might be his person, and broke up with Malaine. 

Aneha Singh (@anehahaha)

Credit: Netflix

Aneha, 28, is a principal engineer and Aquarius. She describes herself as "stubborn," and says that a surprising fact about her is that she’s never drunk alcohol. She’s passionate about her biotech research, and says that she’s looking for a "gentleman."

It looks like Aneha might’ve found that gentleman in Cam, who proposed to her in the pods. 

Malaine Thorpe (@melinmotionxo)

Credit: Netflix

Malaine, 33, is a senior portfolio analyst and Pisces who values self-improvement. She said her relationship goals are Barack and Michelle Obama, and that she’s looking for someone that could join her at the gym as a workout buddy. 

Malaine connected with Cam and Wilson, but ended up leaving the experiment after Cam broke up with her.

Wilson (@willymilll)

Credit: Netflix

Wilson, 35, is a senior compliance manager and Gemini who likes to play recreational basketball in his free time. He said that he used to struggle with believing that he deserved love, but is ready for the experience of self-discovery in the pods, even if he doesn’t find a match. 

Wilson made strong connections with both Malaine and Wilnie, but decided to focus on his connection with Wilnie after Malaine left. 

Wilnie (@wilnie_)

Credit: Netflix

Wilnie is a 33-year-old mental health counselor and Aries. The youngest of her siblings, Wilnie is hoping to find a partner who gets along with her family.

She made it clear to Wilson that she was falling for him, and the pair ended up getting engaged in the pods. 

Jacqueline "Jax" Guelli (@jacquelineguelli)

Credit: Netflix

Jax is a 31-year-old entrepreneur and Taurus who admits that she does care about looks, as someone who works in the beauty industry and owns a skincare line. She bonded with Scott, also known as "Stew," about their shared interest in saunas and design.

Despite things going well between the two, things hit a rough patch after Stew said that he’s never said "I love you" to a girlfriend before, souring their last meeting. Stew still proposed to Jax, who accepted, but the engagement didn’t work out after they met face-to-face.

Scott "Stew" (@scooterstew)

Credit: Netflix

Stew, 34, is a director of engineering, Gemini, and self-proclaimed "sauna aficionado." He bonded with Jax in the pods, even describing their dream weddings to each other.

However, Jax still had doubts about Stew, which were solidified after meeting him for the first time in-person. Jax ended up leaving the experiment shortly after.

Rob (@feels_3310)

Credit: Netflix

Rob, 40, is an Aquarius who works in AI infrastructure sales. He’s looking for a partner with traditional family values who is comfortable hanging out with his friends, and also joining him on the golf course. 

Rob formed connections with both Michaella and Diana, and had a difficult time deciding which relationship to prioritize in the pods.

Diana (@diananicolep)

Credit: Netflix

Diana, a 29-year-old nanny and Sagittarius, describes herself as an old soul who is "annoyingly traditional." A proud Sicilian, Diana bonded with Rob over their love of family.

However, things took a turn when Diana expressed her discomfort at Rob’s connection with Michaella, asking him to break up with her. 

Michaella Giorgio (@michaellagiorgio)

Credit: Netflix

Michaella, 35, is a retail consultant and Virgo who is looking for a partner that she can always laugh with. She found that in Rob, who she spent time bantering with in the pods, including a great Donald Trump impression (courtesy of Rob).

After struggling to decide between Diana and Michaella, Rob ultimately decided to focus on his connection with Michaella and proposed to her in the pods. He gifted her a bracelet that belonged to his late father, cementing their care for each other.

Amenawon "Iman" Johnson (@aggamenawon)

Credit: Netflix

Iman, 34, is a software engineer and Pisces who describes himself as a "geek at heart." Iman said that he’s previously put his partner’s needs above his own, and is afraid of falling in love with someone who takes advantage of this.

Jay Robinson (@jrobb__)

Credit: Netflix

In true Capricorn fashion, Jay, 36, says his career as a director of sales in the sports industry leaves him too busy to date. He’s looking for a partner with a similar drive and goals of her own (and someone who doesn’t mind his freestyle rapping).

Mark A. Colantonio (@markacolantonio)

Credit: Netflix

Mark, 37, is a wine sales consultant who hopes to find a partner that remains understanding even under times of stress. As a Taurus, Mark values acts of service as a love language, and his friends say that he’s the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back.

Matt Waldrip (@mattsmenu14)

Credit: Netflix

Matt is a 37-year-old beekeeper, Capricorn, and father to an 8-year-old son. He says he’s looking for his “queen bee” in the pods, and is ready to impress with romantic dinners like his signature chicken parmesan. 

Michael Arisco (@m_arisco)

Credit: Netflix

Michael is a 35-year-old account executive and Leo from Connecticut. He values vulnerability, and is hoping that being open in the pods will allow him to find a genuine connection.

Scott Shuman (@scottshuman9)

Credit: Netflix

Scott, 38, is an Aries who doesn’t believe in astrology. He’s a former professional baseball player turned baseball coach who is looking for a woman who shares his Christian values (and hopefully doesn’t believe in astrology, either). 

Tucker Myhre (@tmyhre802)

Credit: Netflix

Tucker is a senior solutions consultant who describes himself as a know-it-all who loves Wikipedia rabbit holes. The 35-year-old Aries is looking for a partner who shares his love for Boston sports teams, especially the Red Sox.

Brittany Bianco (@britt_catalina)

Credit: Netflix

Brittany, a 34-year-old attorney from a "huge Italian family," says her love language is cooking (as long as her partner cleans up after). As an Aquarius, Brittany said she’s open to dating all astrology signs… except for Sagittarius men. 

Jenn Mouser (@jennmouser)

Credit: Netflix

Jenn, 39, is a master hairstylist and mother to a 7-year-old son. She describes herself as a Pisces “through and through,” and is looking for a partner who is sensitive, open to children, and down to hit the beach with her every morning to watch the sunrise.

Kara Grumoli (@karagrumoli)

Credit: Netflix

Kara is a 32-year-old strategic account manager and Virgo. She’s hoping to find someone who can balance out her “calm, cool, and collected” personality, and maybe someone who can accompany her to her family’s annual trip to the Vineyard.

Kerry Cashman (@kerryc2)

Credit: Netflix

Kerry, 37, is an athletic director and Scorpio who is looking for a partner that can keep up with her extroverted, upbeat personality. She wants someone that she can be both deep and silly with. 

Liz Rounds (@liz.rounds)

Credit: Netflix

Liz is a 34-year-old NICU nurse who is looking for a "generous and committed" partner to enjoy her free time with. As an Aries, Liz is passionate about music and binge-watching TV on Sundays.

Rachel Aukema (@thatsaukward)

Credit: Netflix

Rachel, a 32-year-old academic advisor and Cancer who is looking for a partner who is a strong leader. Despite previously living in Spain, Rachel has decided to settle down in Boston permanently, and hopefully have “Bostonian babies” one day.

Sahar (@saharm11)

Credit: Netflix

Sahar is an orthodontist and proud Persian who immigrated to the US when she was 10 years old. The 34-year-old Scorpio says that while she’s gotten her life ruined by Leo men before, she doesn’t hate them (but is a little afraid of them). She wants to find a caring partner, one that she can possibly build a multicultural household with.

The first five episodes of Season 11 of Love is Blind were released to Netflix on October 14. New episodes are scheduled to air every Wednesday at 3 am ET, until the Episode 12 season finale on November 3. 

SAVE UP TO 12%: As of Oct. 20, Amazon has select configurations of the M5 Apple MacBook Air on sale for $150 off, with prices starting at $1,149 (normally $1,299).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,149 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $150   Get Deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,649 at Amazon
$1,799 Save $150   Get Deal at Amazon

Apple will probably announce its first MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen at a hardware event next week, and we expect it to be a pricey premium laptop geared toward power users. If you're more of a casual, everyday user who doesn't do a lot of video editing or programming, we highly recommend the existing M5 MacBook Air — which happens to be on sale right now.

Select configurations of Apple's ultraportable are $150 off on Amazon, including most variants of the 13-inch size and a silver 15-inch model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Best Buy is matching Amazon's deals on the 13-inch ones, but not the 15-incher.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

This MacBook Air deal isn't quite as good as the one Amazon was offering during this month's Prime Big Deal Days sale, its "October Prime Day" event, which saved shoppers a full $200. Still, they're welcome in the wake of Apple's MacBook price hikes earlier this summer. (FWIW, that $200 discount probably won't return until Black Friday in late November.)

In his review of the M5 MacBook Air, Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth said it offers "fantastic performance for the value" and has "all the premium features you expect in a modern MacBook." That includes a haptic touchpad, colorful display, sharp 12MP webcam, and superb speakers. Werth ultimately rated it at 4.6/5, which earned it a Mashable Choice Award.