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Want to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: BEST FOR ESPN ESPN Unlimited $31.99/month for 1 year Shop Now Best for Fox and Big Ten Fox One 3-day free trial, then $199.99/year (save $39.89) Shop Now BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV 5-day free trial, then $63.99/month for 1 month (save $25) Get Deal Best for channels Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $99.99/month Shop Now Best for affordability Sling Orange & Blue $60.99/month Shop Now BEST for INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV 5-day free trial, then $49.99/month for 5 months (save $110) Shop Now

The No. 6 Utah Utes are favorites in their Big 12 showdown against the unranked Cincinnati Bearcats. The Utes are still unbeaten — only No. 1 Miami and No. 7 UCLA join them with a perfect record — but Cincinnati are capable of surprising a superior opponent, as happened last week when they handed the Texas Tech Red Raiders their first loss of the season.

Can lightning strike twice for the Bearcats? Or will the Utes continue their perfect record in Week 9?

If you want to watch Utah vs. Cincinnati for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Utah vs. Cincinnati?

Utah vs. Cincinnati takes place at 3.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. This game takes place at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Utah vs. Cincinnati is broadcast on ESPN.

How to watch college football in 2026

Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $31.99/month for 1 year Shop Now

Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX

ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $31.99 per month, but for an extra $4 per month you can secure a plan that also includes Disney+ and Hulu.

Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99/year Shop Now

Channels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network

Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $38.89 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a three-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW

FuboTV offers more than 250 live TV channels and lets you watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a five-day free trial period. 

Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters with a trial before you make any commitment.

Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $99.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW

Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $99.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). Plus, the first month will only cost $49.99.

The included ESPN+ access provides bonus coverage of even more college football games, on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.

Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $60.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

Sling is a comprehensive sports streaming service that offers a wide range of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue package gives you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, plus ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW

YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.

How to watch Utah vs. Cincinnati from anywhere in the world

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Utah vs. Cincinnati from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

5. Watch Utah vs. Cincinnati from anywhere in the world

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the U.S.

• 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.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Want to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: BEST FOR ESPN ESPN Unlimited $31.99/month for 1 year Shop Now Best for Fox and Big Ten Fox One 3-day free trial, then $199.99/year (save $39.89) Shop Now BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV 5-day free trial, then $63.99/month for 1 month (save $25) Get Deal Best for channels Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $99.99/month Shop Now Best for affordability Sling Orange & Blue $60.99/month Shop Now BEST for INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV 5-day free trial, then $49.99/month for 5 months (save $110) Shop Now

No. 13 Texas Tech have just taken their first loss of the college football season in a surprise defeat to the Cincinnati Bearcats, but the Red Raiders have been impressively dominant otherwise. They're now looking to get back on track against the No. 22 Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona will be tough opposition. The Wildcats are aiming for the Big 12 conference game as their entry into the playoff picture, so it's all to play for in this Week 9 showdown.

If you want to watch Arizona vs. Texas Tech for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Arizona vs. Texas Tech?

Arizona vs. Texas Tech starts at 12 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. This game takes place at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

Arizona vs. Texas Tech is broadcast on ESPN.

How to watch college football in 2026

Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $31.99/month for 1 year Shop Now

Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX

ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $31.99 per month, but for an extra $4 per month you can secure a plan that also includes Disney+ and Hulu.

Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99/year Shop Now

Channels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network

Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $38.89 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a three-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW

FuboTV offers more than 250 live TV channels and lets you watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a five-day free trial period. 

Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters with a trial before you make any commitment.

Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $99.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW

Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $99.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). Plus, the first month will only cost $49.99.

The included ESPN+ access provides bonus coverage of even more college football games, on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.

Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $60.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

Sling is a comprehensive sports streaming service that offers a wide range of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue package gives you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, plus ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW

YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.

How to watch Arizona vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the world

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Arizona vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

5. Watch Arizona vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the world

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the U.S.

• 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.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

TL;DR: Watch Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés in La Liga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

La Liga is really starting to heat up. It looked like Barcelona might just run away with the title. That was until they came crashing back to earth last weekend against rivals Real Madrid. After losing El Clásico, Barcelona are only two points ahead of the competition. The pressure is on as they host Deportivo Alavés at the Camp Nou.

If you're interested in watching Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés?

Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés in La Liga kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. This fixture takes place at the Camp Nou.

How to watch Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés for free

Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés in La Liga is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more La Liga action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for La Liga?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• 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 Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alavés for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Bundesliga often comes down to a battle between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and this season is looking no different. They are tied on points after seven rounds of fixtures, with a huge clash at the Allianz Arena deciding which team takes top spot. Could Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane make the difference for the hosts?

If you're interested in watching Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund?

Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga kicks off at 1.30 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund for free

Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund for free from anywhere in the world.

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

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Bundesliga?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• 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. Borussia Dortmund for free from anywhere in the world 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

Pig nose.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SNOUT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Fibbing.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 31, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LYING

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Unfulfilled.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 31, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 31, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

UNMET

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Wash out

Hurdle Word 4 answer

RINSE

Final Hurdle hint

Beside.

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

ALONG

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

The Moon is still looking fairly full in the night sky, but we're now in the Waning Gibbous phase, when the illuminated portion starts to decrease night by night.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Oct. 31, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 68% of its surface visible.

Tonight, without the use of visual aids you should be able to spot the Tycho Crater, Copernicus Crater, and the Mare Imbrium. Binoculars will also help you see the Alphonsus Crater, the Clavius Crater, and the Apennine Mountains. And, if you have access to a telescope, you'll also see the Apollo 16 landing spot, the Schiller Crater, and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete an orbit around Earth, going through a series of phases along the way. Depending on its position relative to Earth and the Sun, the amount of its illuminated surface we can see changes, creating the familiar sequence of crescents, quarter moons and the Full Moon. Once the cycle is complete, the pattern repeats, as explained by NASA.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it's not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

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 31, 2026 Guitar meaning

A stringed musical instrument that typically has six strings and is played by plucking, striking, or strumming the strings with the fingers or a pick.

Marionette meaning

A small-scale, jointed figure that is suspended and operated from above using strings, wires and a hand-held controller.

Tassel meaning

A hanging ornament made from a bundle of cords, threads or ropes fastened tightly at one end and left loose at the other.

Tennis racket meaning

A piece of sporting equipment used to strike a tennis ball during a match or practice.

Gnarly meaning

A situation or problem is hard to deal with, perilous or gross.

Killer meaning

A person, animal or thing that causes death or destruction.

Sick meaning

Affected by physical or mental illness, nausea or general impairment.

Wicked meaning

Morally very bad, evil or sinful.

Dirty meaning

Not clean, or marked with substances like mud, dust, grime or bacteria

Dry meaning

Free, or nearly free, from water, liquid or moisture.

Shaken meaning

Shocked and upset by an unpleasant experience:

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.

Up meaning

Moving or pointing toward a higher physical spot, level or value.

Downfall meaning

A sudden loss of power, status, success or reputation, or the specific thing, event or person that causes that destruction.

Shakespeare meaning

English poet, playwright and actor widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

Sitcom meaning

A television or radio series that centers on a recurring cast of characters as they navigate humorous, everyday situations within a consistent setting.

Staycation meaning

A vacation that you take at home or near your home rather than traveling to another place.

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 a pet owner.

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 31, 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: That's great!

• Green: Alcoholic drink

• Blue: Very attached

• Purple: Get in line

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: Words Meaning Good that Sound Bad

• Green: Martini Specifications

• Blue: Things with Springs

• Purple: Starting with Dog Commands

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 #1238 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Words Meaning Good that Sound Bad: GNARLY, KILLER, SICK, WICKED

• Martini Specifications: DIRTY, DRY, SHAKEN, UP

• Things with Springs: GUITAR, MARIONETTE, TASSEL, TENNIS RACKET

• Starting with Dog Commands: DOWNFALL, SHAKESPEARE, SITCOM, STAYCATION

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 celebrate Halloween.

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 31, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's in the bag

The words are related to Halloween.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a Halloween tradition.

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 Trick or Treat.

NYT Strands word list for October 31

• Candy

• Sticker

• Apple

• Trick or Treat

• Toothbrush

• Fangs

• Ring

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're always excited.

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 31, 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:

Email provider.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter Y.

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...

YAHOO

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.

I love desktop widgets. I’ve loved them since the early days of Windows 7, and I hate the fact that Microsoft decided to remove them. Sure, some of you will say the desktop looks cleaner without widgets, but to me, it just feels like wasted screen real estate. Widgets give you easy access to useful information without requiring you to open an app.

My brother’s phone stopped working one morning, so I offered to lend him my Samsung phone for the day. He just needed it to make important calls, so I didn’t mind handing it over. I wasn’t worried about him stumbling across my personal photos, WhatsApp conversations, or work files either.

By the time ballots are counted for this year's midterm elections, Americans will have received an estimated 60 billion political text messages. A single person would have read 170 messages on average. Candidates will have spent more than $11 billion on their campaigns. 

But it's not just campaign spending you need to pay attention to. The flurry of political calls, texts, and ads creates a perfect cover for scammers, said Ron Kerbs, CEO of AI fraud prevention company Kidas.

"A fraudulent call doesn't necessarily stand out when you're receiving legitimate political outreach at the same time," he warned. 

Americans should be on alert and play defense. Let unknown calls go to voicemail, verify calls and texts from people who claim to be candidates or affiliated with political campaigns, and take a moment to think things through before giving anyone money or personal information.  

Scammers can use elections to steal money

Unfortunately, being on a Do Not Call list won't keep you from getting fooled by an election scam. Most political communications are exempt from the official Do Not Call registry, the national opt-out database for telemarketing communications. 

Campaigns do have to be careful not to violate federal restrictions on automated and prerecorded calls, including texts and calls made without prior consent. But the exceptions can create general confusion for voters trying to figure out if a pollster or campaign volunteer is real. 

Scam texts versus scam calls

Scam texts are certainly a concern for voters, Kerbs said. A recent public service announcement from the FBI warns of midterm-related scams involving stolen "names, images, logos, and slogans of candidates to fraudulently solicit campaign contributions, sell merchandise that is never delivered, or steal personally identifiable information."

Voters should remember the age-old advice not to click any suspicious links sent to them, even from numbers that seem legit.

But election phone calls may pose an even greater challenge for many Americans. 

"When someone hears a familiar voice, particularly a candidate or public official they recognize, they may be more inclined to trust what they're hearing," Kerbs said. "With AI, scammers can now recreate those voices convincingly, making it much harder for the average person to recognize when a call is fake."  

Scammers, like everyone, have access to publicly available data on candidates that can be used to train or generate highly realistic AI voices, Kerb says. "Scammers can then combine that cloned voice with caller ID spoofing, making the call appear to come from a legitimate campaign or political organization."

The threat of voice clones and deepfake audio of political candidates isn't a hypothetical. In 2024, AI-generated robocalls impersonating then-President Joe Biden were sent to New Hampshire voters, urging them to skip the primary election. The calls led to a federal crackdown on "junk calls," including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expansion of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act to effectively ban unsolicited AI robocalls. 

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Common election-related phone scams 

Election scammers have different motivations for reaching out to voters. Kidas describes at least three ways scammers use the election season to fool you: 

1. Impersonating election officials: Callers pretending to be election workers may try to solicit personal information from voters or influence votes under the guise that something is wrong with your voter registration or ballot. 

2. Fake pollsters: Scammers impersonating official pollsters may also contact you to collect sensitive information. 

3. Donation scams: Bad actors may pose as official campaigns or as a political action committee (PAC) to solicit donations from unsuspecting voters.

There are also a few red flags that could signal to a voter that the person on the other end is not motivated by a sense of civic participation. 

A call can sound completely legitimate and still be fraudulent. - Ron Kerbs, Kidas

Urgency is the biggest red flag, scam experts warn. If someone calls saying your registration is expiring or a ballot needs to be verified ASAP, end the call, advises Kerbs. 

Additionally, election officials will never ask for money, Social Security numbers, verification codes, or other personal information over the phone. 

Other red flags include requests for Social Security numbers, banking information, verification codes or payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency or other unusual methods.

Voters should also be suspicious of anyone claiming they can update voter registration over the phone in exchange for sensitive information or a payment. Registering to vote is free, and voters should use their official state election resources to check their status or make changes.

"One of the most important things to understand is that a scam call may not have an obvious red flag at first," warns Kerbs. "A call can sound completely legitimate and still be fraudulent, so voters shouldn't rely solely on whether something sounds suspicious."

Bad actors may be trying to influence or tamper with elections, as was the case with the fake Biden robocalls. But they may also just be out to get your data or cash. Either way, it's important to keep yourself safe.

How to protect yourself from election scams 

"It's no longer enough to identify a suspicious phone number," warned Kerbs. "You also need to consider what's happening during the call, including whether the voice is artificially generated and whether the conversation shows signs of fraudulent activity."

1. Do not rely solely on the name, number, or voice you hear on the phone. 

2. Hang up and verify. Before providing information (or money), go to a second source. Check directly with your state or local election office. Make donations on official campaign websites, not over the phone or via links.  

3. Use your phone's screening tools, with discretion. Turn on features to silence unknown callers, screen calls, and filter out spam. But remember these are not foolproof, and scammers often bypass such detectors. 

4. Let calls go to voicemail first. Don't feel obligated to answer. Scammers rely on urgency, so a voicemail can give yourself the space you need to think and confirm. 

Most importantly, never provide sensitive information over the phone, including seemingly innocuous things like your driver's license number. Scammers may claim they need that information to verify your identity or confirm a donation. Don't believe them, says Kerbs.

"Even seemingly harmless details can be useful to scammers when combined with information they've already collected. You don't need to answer every question just because someone claims to represent a campaign or election office."

When you hear the name Ryobi, the first thing most people think about is power tools for DIY projects and homeowner repairs. And while that's certainly true, you don't have to be a DIYer to absolutely love several of Ryobi's most popular products. The company makes a little bit of everything, and there are several you'll probably want to own.

Welcome to Halloween weekend! There are plenty of horror movies and shows to stream this weekend. Only one of these shows fits the bill for spooky season, and it's our top pick of the weekend. It's the return of the serial killer who targets other criminals who have slipped through the cracks of the criminal justice system.

Spooky season is the perfect time to cozy up with Haunted Hotel. The Netflix animated series blends horror with an animated family sitcom format that makes for fresh fun, and an addictive rewatch binge. (And, really, we've been revisiting Season 1 over and over since last Halloween.)

Now, with Season 3 announced ahead of this Halloween, we're sharing a secret we've found hidden in the Undervale. Sure, each episode focuses on the misadventures of the Freeling family, be it ghost uncle Nathan (Will Forte), his sister Katherine (Eliza Coupe), her chipper son Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and mischievous daughter Esther (Natalie Palamides), or their resident demon trapped in a boy's body, Abaddon (Jimmi Simpson). But beneath the surface of Haunted Hotel, another drama lurks — specifically under its floorboards.

In the opening title sequence, between when Esther defeats a vampire and Ben is chased out of the library by gremlins, there's a smaller story playing out between the floors of the hotel. You have to freeze-frame to see it. And even on a desktop watch, that can be tricky to do! So, we've done the hard bit for you.

SEE ALSO: 'KPop Demon Hunters' and 'Haunted Hotel' collide in 'Your Idol' music video

After Season 1, some fans posted screenshots online, allowing others to dig into the curious war waged deep in the Undervale hotel. Now, with Season 2 out, Mashable has pulled together screenshots from Seasons 1 and 2 in chronological order, so you can make out the stories for yourself.

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 1: "Welcome to the Undervale"

Credit: Netflix/screenshot

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 2: "Unfinished Business"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 3: "Randy Slasher"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 4: "How to Train Your Demon"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 5: "Rollyfluffs"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 6: "Ghost Hunters!"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 7: "Seven Deadly Bens"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 8: "Aunt Rose"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 9: "The Esthercist"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 1, episode 10: "The Acolytes of Abaddon"

Credit: Netflix

Hey, bud. You okay? Sorry about that last one. I assure you, Season 2's has a happier ending. Here it is.

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 1: "Ooze"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 2: "Dinner Party"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 3: "The Witch"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 4: "Ghost Day Out"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 5: "Astral Esther"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 6: "Dante Crowe"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 7: "The Concierge"

Credit: Netflix

Haunted Hotel, Season 2, episode 8: "The Visit"

Credit: Netflix

What will Haunted House creator Matt Roller have in store for season 3 (above and below the floorboards)? We can't wait to find out.

Haunted Hotel is now streaming on Netflix.

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Maine Senate candidate Troy Jackson, a Democrat, was the target of an outrageous video apparently fabricated by Russian operatives, according to the data analysis service NewsGuard.

In the video, which appears as a legitimate news report from Maine TV station WABI, an anchor alleges that Jackson threatened to kill "any insubordinate staffer" with an axe. Jackson is a fifth-generation logger challenging the Republican incumbent Susan Collins.

Several polls put Jackson ahead of Collins, and Republicans see her seat as crucial to maintaining control of the U.S. Senate.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI launching election 'war room'

Kim Petry, vice president of WABI, confirmed to NewsGuard that the video was fabricated and appears to use a synthetic voice. "It was not produced, aired, or authorized by WABI," Petry told NewsGuard.

The firm said Jackson's campaign didn't respond to two emails seeking comment on the video. Mashable also contacted Jackson's campaign via email but did not receive a reply as of publication.

NewsGuard said the video used dubbed audio combined with real footage that originally appeared on WABI's website in July 2026. In the original segment, Jackson was accused of having "angry outbursts" while serving as Maine Senate President between 2018 and 2024.

In July, CNN and the Washington Post reported that Jackson threw a water bottle during a 2021 meeting. One lawmaker said Jackson threw the bottle in her direction after she refused to vote for a bill he supported.

Jackson's campaign said he threw the bottle but wasn't targeting anyone. Though Jackson's temper was well-known in Maine political circles, he did not threaten to attack staffers with an axe.

Based on its format and how it spread on X, NewsGuard said the manipulated video appears to be the product of a Russian influence operation known as Storm-1516. The group "routinely fabricates articles and videos that impersonate legitimate media outlets," according to NewsGuard.

The firm said Storm-1516 is also apparently behind similar videos targeting James Talarico and Sherrod Brown, Democratic Senate candidates from Texas and Ohio, respectively. Both men were accused of sexual assault in the AI-altered videos and vehemently denied the allegations.

The Xbox Ally X may be a fantastic handheld, but its improvements weren't enough to convince me to upgrade from the ASUS ROG Ally X, my PC gaming handheld of choice for over two years. What about an Xbox Ally X Plus, though, delivering a handful of fresh upgrades on top of everything that makes the original great? In a nutshell, that's the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X20, a special edition handheld that does a lot more than celebrate 20 years of Republic of Gamers and 25 years of Xbox.

Our friends and coworkers at XDA just debuted XDB Builder, a super-streamlined tool for designing, optimizing, and buying the components for your next PC.