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Town Hall pickleball courts open with ribbon-cutting ceremony

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SOUTHWICK — With two players waiting to play, a group of town officials, and commission and committee members, formally opened the two pickleball courts at Town Hall Monday morning.

“This project reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping seniors moving and socially connected,” said Southwick Senior Center Director Lisa Anderson. “Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and this new space provides seniors with a fun, safe, and healthy way to stay active while also being a great recreational asset for the entire community.”

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Tesla could have avoided that $242.5M Autopilot verdict, filings show

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Months before a jury awarded a $242.5 million verdict against Tesla over its culpability in a 2019 fatal crash, the automaker had a chance to settle for $60 million. Instead, Tesla rejected that offer, according to new legal filings that were first reported by Reuters.

The settlement proposal, which was made in May, was disclosed in a filing that requested Tesla cover legal fees for the plaintiffs in the case.

Earlier this month, a jury in federal court in Miami found Tesla partly to blame for a fatal 2019 crash that involved the use of the company’s Autopilot driver assistance system. One person was killed when a Tesla Model S with Autopilot engaged plowed through an intersection and hit a Chevrolet Tahoe. The crash victims, Neima Benavides Leon and her boyfriend Dillon Angulo, were standing outside the vehicle on the shoulder at the time. Leon was killed while Angulo was severely injured.

The driver, who was not a defendant in this case, was sued separately for his responsibility. The lawsuit filed in 2021 against Tesla centered on Autopilot, which was engaged but did not brake in time to avoid going through the intersection. The jury assigned the driver two-thirds of the blame and attributed one-third to Tesla. As part of the verdict, the jury awarded the $242.5 million verdict as part of its decision.

Tesla, in a statement provided to TechCrunch earlier this month, said it plans to appeal the verdict “given the substantial errors of law and irregularities at trial.”

TechCrunch has reached out to the plaintiffs’ attorneys as well as Tesla. An outside PR firm that previously provided statements on Tesla’s behalf declined to comment and directed TechCrunch to the company’s press address. Tesla disbanded its communications team several years ago.

The lawsuit, case 1:21-cv-21940-BB, was filed in 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

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Imgur protest covers the front page in anti-MediaLab memes

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Despite all the division and controversy rife in the modern era, sometimes the Internet does manage to collectively agree on something. Right now, they agree that they hate Imgur parent company MediaLab.

After being by MediaLab in 2021, the once famously open-to-anything image-sharing service began placing on content in 2023. More recently, the site has experienced service issues, including problems with notifications. Many members of the Imgur community have that MediaLab fired most of its US content moderation team in favor of AI, while others have said that the site is or content that is critical of the owner and its policies.

The exact timeline, as well as what brought things to a tipping point, is still fuzzy at best. But for hours today, the Imgur homepage has been dominated by spammed images of a John Oliver meme in protest of what users see as MediaLab’s poor management of the platform. Whatever team is currently working at Imgur appears to be unable to handle the rate that the memes are being posted, so it’s anyone’s guess how long the spam protest will dominate the front page.



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Google Photos viewer redesign rolls out on Android

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The piecemeal redesign of Google Photos continues with the new viewer now available on Android after coming to iOS last month.

This new “Photo view” starts with the date, time, and location being shown at the top. This very conveniently saves you a swipe. In the corner, the only actions you get are a star for favoriting and the three-dot overflow.

Old vs. new

No longer a carousel in the bottom sheet (which is now focused on library and image details), this menu contains:

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  • About: Can still access by sliding up and now focused Location and Details rather than actions
  • Google Lens: Presumably no longer in the bottom toolbar given wide Circle to Search availability
  • Create: Movie, Collage, Cinematic photo, Photo to video

  • Order photo
  • Use as
  • Slideshow
  • Cast
  • Download or Delete from device
  • Print

Beyond the “simpler, more modern, and more intuitive UI,” a light (background) theme is now available.  Meanwhile, pill-shaped badges near the top let you:

  • Change the photo’s category
  • Play or pause a Live or Motion photo
  • Save a shared photo to your library
  • Back up a photo or manage your storage

Next is the ability to manage photo stacks and bursts with a “three-dot icon attached to the selected thumbnail.” 

This is where you can change your top pick, remove from stack, unstack, or multi-select to take bulk actions on the photos in the stack.

At the bottom, you get Share, Edit (new icon), Add to (Album, Archive, or Locked folder), and Trash. We’re seeing this viewer redesign widely rolled out with version 7.42 of Google Photos for Android.

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WMass colleges aspired to be ‘Hispanic-serving.’ The DOJ is now backing away

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American International College, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)

SPRINGFIELD — In January, American International College said it was on the verge of becoming a Hispanic-serving institution, a designation it had strived to attain as part of a five-year strategic plan in 2022.



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Bounce launches a service for moving accounts between Bluesky and Mastodon

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Bounce, a new technology that adds a critical component to the open social web, launches to the public on Monday. The cross-protocol migration tool offers a service that allows users of open social networks like Bluesky and Mastodon to move their follow graphs between their accounts, even though the networks rely on different underlying protocols.

Today, Mastodon users unhappy with the service can opt to move their account to a different Mastodon server, while Bluesky is developing technology that allows users to migrate their account to a new PDS (Bluesky’s term for “personal data server”) on its network. However, Mastodon runs on the ActivityPub Protocol and Bluesky on the AT Protocol, which has limited the ability to migrate accounts across the two platforms until now.

To work, Bounce uses technology first developed for Bridgy Fed, a tool that connects Mastodon and Bluesky by making users’ profiles on one service visible on the other.

To move accounts, Bounce first moves a user’s Bluesky account to a bridged account that straddles the two networks, then to the user’s Mastodon account. This migration also supports Pixelfed, an Instagram-like social app that also runs on ActivityPub, like Mastodon.

At launch, Bounce can migrate users from Bluesky to Mastodon or Pixelfed, but not the other way around. That’s because Bluesky’s infrastructure currently only allows users to move off their servers, but doesn’t allow migrations back. When that changes, Bounce will launch migration in the opposite direction, too.

In addition, early adopters should be aware that once they move their account off of Bluesky, they won’t be able to use their Bluesky credentials to log into the app again or other AT Protocol-based services again.

Developed by a nonprofit called A New Social, which is also the maker of Bridgy Fed, Bounce’s launch is particularly timely for Bluesky users in Mississippi. On Friday, Bluesky announced that it would block its service in the state rather than comply with a new age assurance law that it considers overly invasive from a privacy standpoint and that would require too many resources for Bluesky’s small team to manage. This has left Bluesky users in the state without access to the social network, highlighting the need for tools that would allow users to take their accounts elsewhere.

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Bounce’s beta is available starting Monday and is aimed at early adopters and open web enthusiasts who are willing to try the service and offer feedback. While the service is open to the public, users should familiarize themselves with the migration process before making the commitment to move their accounts, given that it’s not yet possible to move back to Bluesky after they leave.



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Get up to 50 percent off tech from Apple, Anker, Shark and others

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Labor Day may bring about the unofficial end to summer, but on the bright side, it can be a good time to save on tech. While seasonal holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day aren’t the boon for tech deals as Prime Day or Black Friday can be, you can still find some good deals across the web. That’s particularly true if you’re going back to school soon, or are shopping for someone imminently heading back to campus.

Engadget has you covered for all of the best Labor Day sales on tech. Since this time of year does overlap with the back-to-school season, students should be first in line to check out these deals. If you need some new gadgets for college, or refreshed tech to help you out in your first job after graduating, now’s the time to see if you can get it for less. Student discounts are handy and exclusive to those who can prove their student status, but the good thing about Labor Day sales is that anyone can take advantage of them — student ID not required.

Best Labor Day sales: Engadget’s top picks

Image for the small product module

Apple

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $799 ($200 off): Apple’s latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and it earned a score of 92 in our review. The M4 model isn’t a major refresh overall, but that’s not a bad thing — the design remains exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it’s a bit faster thanks to the updated chipset.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169 (32 percent off): The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s best set of wireless earbuds for now, as they offer the full set of Apple-focused features, strong ANC, onboard volume controls, a comfy in-ear design and a warm sound profile that most should find agreeable. They can even work as a hearing aid, though their six-hour battery life still isn’t the best, and you should only get them if you’re all-in on Apple hardware. But if that’s the case, we consider them the best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners.

Apple iPad (11-inch, A16) for $299 ($50 off): Apple’s entry-level iPad is, unsurprisingly, the best iPad option for those on a budget. It has solid performance thanks to the A16 chipset, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life.

Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) for $449 ($150 off): The latest iPad Air is a relatively minor update; the only big addition is a more powerful M3 chip. However, we still recommend this iPad over the base model in our iPad buying guide: Its display is more color-rich and better at fending off glare, its speakers are more robust, it works with Apple’s best accessories and its performance should hold up better in the years ahead.

Apple Mac mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): The newest version of Apple’s tiny desktop PC has a smaller overall footprint, a faster M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard, two front-facing USB-C ports, an extra Thunderbolt 4 port and the ability to drive three external displays. We gave the M4 Pro model a review score of 90.

Anker 621 5K magnetic power bank for $28 (30 percent off): This slim battery pack attaches magnetically to the backs of iPhones to provide power when you need it most. Its 5K capacity will be more than enough to revive a near-dead iPhone 16, and it’s svelte enough that you can use your phone while it’s powering up without any discomfort. It will also work with most MagSafe-compatible cases.

Google Pixel 10 smartphone + $100 Amazon gift card for $799 ($100 off): More of a pre-order deal than a Labor Day deal, this bundle includes a free gift card when you order the latest Google Pixel phone in advance. You’ll find different gift card deals at Amazon depending on which phone you go with: the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL have a $200 gift cards included, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes with a free $300 gift card.

Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum for $159 (43 percent off): This model is one of our favorite budget robot vacuums thanks to its slim design that lets you get underneath furniture more easily and strong suction power for its size. Note that it does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, but it comes with a remote that lets you control the robot to your liking.

Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum for $298 (50 percent off): This Shark robot vacuum is a version of one of our favorites and it comes with a auto-empty base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. It has strong suction power and home mapping capabilities, so you can tailor cleaning jobs to your liking in addition to putting the robot on a cleaning schedule.

Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras (3 camera system) for $100 (47 percent off): Some of our favorite security cameras, Blink Outdoor 4 devices support 1080p video, two-way talk, motion alerts and night vision. The most convenient thing about these is that they’re totally wireless and run on AA batteries that can last up to two years before you need to replace them. That combined with their weather-proof design allows you to place them both inside and outside.

Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): One of our picks for the best air fryers, this Cosori model has a spacious six-quart cooking basket and nine prep modes to choose from. In our testing, it consistently crisped up all kinds of foods, from frozen appetizers to raw proteins, and it has a nifty safety feature with its built-in basket release button.

HORI Piranha Plant camera for Switch 2 for $40 (33 percent off): If you plan on taking advantage of the Switch 2’s video and group chat feature, there’s no cuter way to do it than with this Piranha Plant camera. In addition to using it with the pot as a stand, the plant itself detaches from the pot so you can use the camera in portable mode with the USB port on the new console.

ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for $30/month ($6/month off): ESPN’s new streaming service is officially available now, and new subscribers can get Disney+ and Hulu included for one year when they sign up. The regular price of the new ESPN Unlimited plan is $30 per month, but this bundle offer throws in Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for one year at no extra cost. If you want to break it down, you’re essentially getting each of the three services for $10 monthly with this offer.

NordVPN deal — Get up to 77 percent off two-year plans: Most of NordVPN’s two-year plans are on sale right now. You’ll get 77 percent off the Prime tier, bringing the price down to $189 for 27 months of service (Nord throws in an extra three months for free). Arguably the best plan for most people is the Plus tier, which is 73 percent off and down to $108 for the 27-month term.

MasterClass deal — Get 50 percent off one-year subscriptions: You can sign up for one year of MasterClass access for as low as $5 per month thanks to this sale that runs through September 1. A subscription lets you watch hundreds of online video classes taught by experts in their fields, and subject matter ranges from writing to cooking to sports.

Best Labor Day sales on tech

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.





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Galaxy Tab S10 Lite launches September 4, but pricing is still a mystery

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Samsung is launching its new Galaxy Tab S10 Lite as a “value-packed” new, more affordable tablet, but the company won’t say what it actually costs.

Set to launch to the global market and in the US starting on September 4, the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is a new tier in the company’s lineup of Android tablets – sort of.

The Galaxy Tab S10 series currently consists of the Galaxy Tab S10+ and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra as the “flagship” offerings, with the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10+ FE offering different screen sizes and more affordable price points. Now, the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is adding on another more affordable option, seemingly replacing the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite which was still using ancient branding on its latest re-release in 2024.

The tablet features a 10.9-inch TFT LCD display, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, an Exynos 1380 chipset, an 8,000 mAh battery, and more all stuffed in a 6.6mm thin chassis. Somewhat oddly, it’s launching with Android 15 instead of Android 16.

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Outside of no public commitment to software updates (so far, at least) the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite also seems fully-featured in terms of One UI and Android features. It has Circle to Search, various Galaxy AI features and a dedicated “Galaxy AI” key on the keyboard cover, as well as including an S Pen in the box.

The tablet will be available in Gray, Silver, and Coralred when it launches starting on September 4. The images below come from a prior leak as, today, the only image Samsung shared of the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is the one seen above.

But, there’s obviously a big question still. How much does it cost?

Samsung calls the tablet “value-packed,” but has yet to confirm a price point. The Galaxy Tab S10 Lite isn’t available for pre-order yet either. To make sense in the company’s lineup, it would have to be more affordable than the $499 Galaxy Tab S10 FE, so somewhere between $299 and $399 makes the most sense. We’ve asked Samsung for clarification on the price, and we’ll update this post if the company gets back to us with an answer.

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Person dies in Auburn after car overturns, crashes in body of water

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A person is dead after their car overturned and partially went underwater in Auburn on Sunday, Auburn police said Monday.

At around 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, officers learned of a crash on Rochdale Street, according to a police statement. Auburn police and firefighters went to the scene and found one person in the car before they took them to the hospital.

The person was pronounced dead at the hospital.

“The Auburn Police Department and Auburn Fire Department [extend their] deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim,” the statement read.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Bluesky blocks service in Mississippi over age assurance law

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Social networking startup Bluesky has made the decision to block access to its service in the state of Mississippi, rather than comply with a new age assurance law.

In a blog post published on Friday, the company explains that, as a small team, it doesn’t have the resources to make the substantial technical changes this type of law would require, and it raised concerns about the law’s broad scope and privacy implications.

Mississippi’s HB 1126 requires platforms to introduce age verification for all users before they can access social networks like Bluesky. On Thursday, U.S. Supreme Court justices decided to block an emergency appeal that would have prevented the law from going into effect as the legal challenges it faces played out in the courts.

As a result, Bluesky had to decide what it would do about compliance.

Instead of requiring age verification before users could access age-restricted content, this law requires age verification of all users. That means Bluesky would have to verify every user’s age and obtain parental consent for anyone under 18. The company notes that the potential penalties for noncompliance are hefty, too — up to $10,000 per user.

Bluesky also stresses that the law goes beyond child safety, as intended, and would create “significant barriers that limit free speech and disproportionately harm smaller platforms and emerging technologies.”

To comply, Bluesky would have to collect and store sensitive information from all its users, in addition to the detailed tracking of minors. This is different from how it’s expected to comply with other age verification laws, like the U.K.’s Online Safety Act (OSA), which only requires age checks for certain content and features.

Mississippi’s law blocks anyone from using the site unless they provide their personal and sensitive information.

“Unlike tech giants with vast resources, we’re a small team focused on building decentralized social technology that puts users in control,” the company’s blog post read. “Age verification systems require substantial infrastructure and developer time investments, complex privacy protections, and ongoing compliance monitoring — costs that can easily overwhelm smaller providers. This dynamic entrenches existing big tech platforms while stifling the innovation and competition that benefits users,” it noted.

Some Bluesky users outside Mississippi subsequently reported issues accessing the service due to their cell providers routing traffic through servers in the state, with CTO Paul Frazee responding Saturday that the company was “working deploy an update to our location detection that we hope will solve some inaccuracies.”

The company’s blog post notes that its decision only applies to the Bluesky app built on the AT Protocol. Other apps may approach the decision differently.

This post has been updated to reflect user issues outside Mississippi and Bluesky’s response.

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