Amazon-backed X-energy files to raise up to $800M in IPO

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 15:44
Nuclear startup X-energy hit the road today to sell prospective investors on its initial public offering.
Categories: Nerd News

LEGO Reveals New THE MANDALORIAN N-1 Starfighter Set

The Nerdist - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 15:09

After three seasons on Disney+, Mando and his young (well, sorta young) companion Grogu are heading to the big screen. Just in time for their film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, as well as Star Wars Day, the bounty hunter and his lil’ buddy are getting a brand new deluxe build that fans will go nuts for. As seen in season three of The Mandalorian, and The Book of Boba Fett, LEGO will soon unleash Mando’s N-1 Starfighter as part of their Ultimate Collector’s Series. This 1,809-piece set brings Mando’s tricked-out Naboo starship, his replacement for his blown-up Razorcrest, to life. You can see the first images of this new, incredible LEGO set below:LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter Building Set Click To View Gallery LEGO/Lucasfilm Lucasfilm/LEGO LEGO/Lucasfilm Lucasfilm/LEGO LEGO/Lucasfilm Lucasfilm/LEGO Lucasfilm/LEGO LEGO/Lucasfilm Lucasfilm/LEGO

The LEGO N-1 Starfighter measures over 8.5 in. (21 cm) high, 26.5 in. (67 cm) long, and 15.5 in. (39 cm) wide. The model uses advanced LEGO building techniques and special silver Drum Lacquered elements. All to capture the ship’s distinctive Naboo-inspired silhouette and incredible details. The set includes a Din Djarin minifigure, equipped with his trusty blaster pistol, and a wee Grogu figure. There’s also a display stand with an information plaque, and you can choose two different orientations for display. Owners of this LEGO model can display it either side-facing, or facing forward, making it appear as if it’s blasting off into hyperspace.

The LEGO Group

This deluxe ship arrives just as LEGO launches its new SMART Play feature. This ushers in a whole new era of the Star Wars/LEGO partnership. This deluxe The Mandalorian set will be available for LEGO Insiders Early Access starting on May 1. It’s then available for all on May 4, Star Wars Day. It’s priced at $249.99. This is definitely one LEGO model you’ll want to have on display as part of your larger Star Wars collection. As the Mandos are fond of saying, “This is the way.”

RELATED ARTICLE

Mark Hamill on LEGO SMART Play and 50 Years of STAR WARS

The post LEGO Reveals New THE MANDALORIAN N-1 Starfighter Set appeared first on Nerdist.

Categories: Nerd News

Pajaro Valley Chamber awards announced

The Pajaronian - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 15:00

Every year the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture names its annual awardees, selecting the people, organizations and events that help shape the Pajaro Valley and the communities that live there.

As every year, the Pajaronian is proud to feature this year’s awardees.

Lifetime Achievement

Dominic and Martha Muzzi, longtime Watsonville farmers and business owners whose family enterprises have shaped the local agriculture industry for decades, were awarded a lifetime achievement honor.

The couple’s story traces back to 1950, when Dominic Muzzi emigrated from Calabria, Italy, with his parents and seven siblings. After initially settling in Canada, the family moved to the Bay Area. During his senior year of high school, Dominic relocated to Pescadero, where he met Martha—the beginning of a partnership that would span more than six decades.

They married in 1962 and, after a brief period in Santa Cruz, established their home in Watsonville. There, in the 1960s, they began farming vegetables along the Central Coast, laying the groundwork for what would become a multigenerational agricultural business.

As their children, Dominic Jr. and Lisa, grew up, they became part of the family’s daily work in the fields. In 1975, the Muzzis opened a roadside produce stand, where Martha became a familiar presence to customers, helping build lasting relationships within the community.

The family expanded its operations in 1984 with the founding of Watsonville Produce, a company focused on cooling, sales and shipping. Over time, the business developed a reputation for quality, food safety and customer service. That growth led to additional facilities in Moss Landing and Yuma, Arizona, and, in 2007, the family became managing partners of Blue Ribbon Frozen Foods in Watsonville.

In 2012, the next phase of the business took shape with the creation of Muzzi Family Farms, which manages sales for both fresh and frozen products produced across the family’s operations.

Despite the growth of their business, those close to the Muzzis say their focus has remained rooted in relationships and community. Over the years, the couple has supported numerous local organizations and contributed time and resources throughout the Pajaro Valley.

Their recognition with a lifetime achievement award highlights not only their business accomplishments, but also their decades-long commitment to the region.

Family members say Dominic and Martha view their legacy not just in terms of the companies they built, but in the people they’ve worked with and the community they’ve supported.

Dominic and Martha Muzzi earned the Lifetime Achievement award. (contributed)

Woman of the Year

Michele Bassi

Michele Bassi said she was “speechless” and honored to be named Woman of the Year, crediting the community she has called home for more than three decades.

“I love this community. I’ve raised my kids here. I have done everything to be involved,” Bassi said. “I’m just really honored to be part of this and to be recognized. There are so many, to me, more deserving people, but I’m thrilled.”

Bassi moved to the Pajaro Valley area about 32 years ago and now lives in Santa Cruz County near Watsonville. While she cited the area’s natural beauty, she said it is the people who have made the strongest impression.

“The people of Santa Cruz County are special,” she said. “The generosity, the compassion, the camaraderie of this community is just incredible.”

After a 32-year career in banking—including 22 years at Wells Fargo and a role as senior vice president at 1st Capital Bank—Bassi transitioned into nonprofit work, following what she described as her passion for service. She now serves as chief development officer for Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, where she has led record-breaking fundraising efforts.

Her connection to the organization dates back more than 30 years, when she first organized a holiday food drive as a young banker.

“I got connected to Second Harvest 30-plus years ago,” she said.

Bassi later served on the organization’s board and as board chair before stepping into her current role.

“As I’m describing what we’re looking for, I’m like, ‘We’re looking for me—that’s my job. I want to do that,’” she said.

Beyond Second Harvest, Bassi has held leadership roles across the county, including serving on the Cabrillo College Foundation board, president of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation board, and as a board member of Nonprofit Connection Santa Cruz and Capitola Aptos Rotary. She also helped found Digital NEST and served as president of both Second Harvest and the Food Bank Santa Cruz County.

Her community service has earned numerous honors, including Aptos Chamber Woman of the Year in 2018, the Be the Difference Award from the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County in 2019 and 2023, and the Community Champion Award in 2021. She was also recognized as one of the “15 Women to Know in Santa Cruz County” in 2025.

Bassi holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University, Fresno, and a graduate degree in banking from Pacific Coast Banker School at the University of Washington.

She said the recognition reflects the broader community she has worked alongside for decades.

“I get to see [that generosity] every day,” she said. “So it’s really special to me.”

Michele Bassi has been named Woman of the Year by the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.(Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Man of the Year

Kirk Schmidt

The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture has named longtime agricultural leader and community volunteer Kirk Schmidt as its Man of the Year, recognizing decades of service across the region.

Schmidt has spent more than 40 years shaping local agriculture while supporting community institutions. His leadership includes serving as president of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, where he was twice named Farmer of the Year.

“I am quite flattered that the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture selected me as Man of the Year, and I’m very pleased to share the stage with the other people,” Schmidt said.

He currently serves on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation Board of Directors.

Beyond agriculture, Schmidt has held roles with the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency. Supporters say his financial and legal expertise helped guide major decisions, including efforts that prevented the closure of Watsonville Community Hospital and returned it to local ownership.

Schmidt’s work also extends internationally through Rotary programs. He recently traveled to Uganda with the Freedom Rotary Club, where he worked with farmers and helped develop a well project. The trip also brought him to schools, orphanages and centers supporting pregnant teens who have been cast out of their communities.

“They’re literally kicked out of their village, and if they’re lucky enough to be invited to one of these programs, it’s wonderful—otherwise they’re going to die,” Schmidt said.

Colleagues describe Schmidt as a thoughtful, detail-oriented leader whose understated approach reflects a deep commitment to the Pajaro Valley.

Business

C&N Tractors

The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture has named C&N Tractors its 2026 Business of the Year, recognizing the company’s long-standing role in supporting local agriculture and its deep involvement in the community.

Founded in 1974, C&N Tractors has served generations of farmers in Watsonville and across the Central Coast, building a reputation as a reliable partner in the region’s agricultural economy. The company has grown into one of the largest Kubota dealerships in the United States, with a broad presence across Central California and beyond.

C&N offers a full range of services, including equipment sales, parts, repairs, rentals and small engine service, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for farmers. Its in-house fabrication shop allows for custom tractor modifications tailored to local needs.

The business also maintains partnerships with major agricultural brands, including Kubota, STIHL, Gearmore and Brouwer, and serves as a Brouwer dealer for both California and Arizona.

Chamber officials highlighted the company’s strong community involvement as a key factor in the award. C&N has supported local events such as the Pajaro Valley Business Expo and the Santa Cruz County Fair, and has stepped in during emergencies—providing repairs to some farmers during recent flood recovery efforts, in some cases at no cost.

C&N Tractors in Pajaro has been named Business of the Year. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Organization

Slavic American Cultural Organization (SACO)

The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture has named the Slavic American Cultural Organization (SACO) as its 2026 Organization of the Year, recognizing decades of cultural preservation, education and community outreach in the Pajaro Valley.

Founded in 1979, SACO brings together people with roots in the former Yugoslavia and works to promote Slavic culture, history and traditions while educating the broader community about those contributions.

The organization has more than 400 members and hosts cultural events, fundraisers and educational programs throughout the year. Proceeds support scholarships for local students and help maintain community gathering spaces. Since 1981, SACO has awarded more than 200 scholarships totaling over $240,000.

A centerpiece of its work is the Student Ambassador and Exchange Program, which sends local students to Croatia and other countries in the region while hosting visiting students in Watsonville. The program aims to build cultural understanding and highlight the Pajaro Valley’s agricultural history and international ties.

SACO President Kirt Vojvoda said the organization also focuses on preserving the legacy of Slavic immigrants—particularly Croatians—who helped shape the region’s farming industry.

“I think history is important. Everybody has a story,” he said, noting many immigrants “came over here with nothing and worked to become part of the valley’s agricultural backbone.”

Kirt Vojvoda takes a break from painting a home in Bay Village to reflect on the Slavic American Cultural Organization being tapped as the organization of the year. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Event of the Year

Cal-Giant Skirt Steak BBQ

The annual skirt steak BBQ is the largest fundraiser for the California Giant Foundation, California Giant’s nonprofit arm. The BBQ is an employee-led fundraiser, serving approximately 1,200 meals in the day. Event proceeds benefit the CG Foundation, and are matched by the founder, Bill Moncovich. The CG Foundation also benefits many local non-profits. 

Joe Barsi, left, and Bill Moncovich of California Giant at a recent Cal-Giant Skirt Steak BBQ event. (Contributed)

Ford EV and tech chief leaving automaker

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 14:52
Doug Field had stints at Apple and Tesla before joining Ford in 2021.
Categories: Nerd News

Exploring the Many Origins of MOTU’s Skeletor

The Nerdist - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 14:46

Skeletor, the Lord of Destruction, has been He-Man’s primary nemesis since the very first Masters of the Universe action figure wave from Mattel in 1982. And soon, he’ll seek to destroy his arch-nemesis on the big screen, portrayed by Jared Leto, in the upcoming Masters of the Universe live-action film. But like any good arch villain, from Lex Luthor to Magneto, his backstory has shifted and changed quite a bit over the last few decades. With his upcoming live-action portrayal in Travis Knight’s Masters of the Universe film, they’ll have several Skeletor origin stories to choose from.Amazon MGM Studios Skeletor, the Early MOTU Mattel Toys Era (1982)

Before the iconic cartoon, the only story or world-building kids got from the MOTU line came from the mini-comics included with the figures. Writer Donald F. Glut, who wrote several episodes of iconic cartoons like Spider-Man, Transformers, and the novelization ofThe Empire Strikes Back. He came up with the initial character backstory. Skeletor was described as “a demon from another dimension,” who was thrown from his reality into Eternia. This happened during something called “the Great Wars,” which is never elaborated on.

Mattel

Once stuck on Eternia, Skeletor turned his attention to conquering Castle Grayskull, and stealing its secrets. In some early MOTU tie-ins, like the storybook and records sets, Skeletor’s home planet was called Infinita. But this was quickly forgotten about. In this “Year One” version, Skeletor had his own Power Sword like He-Man’s. That weapon was largely dropped in favor of his demonic-looking Havoc Staff.

Skeletor in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983-1986)Filmation

The cackling, pun-prone version of Skeletor from Filmation’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon had almost no backstory, at least at first. He ruled from his throne on Snake Mountain, and had an army of robots and loyal lackies. He single-mindedly had two goals: to take Castle Grayskull, and to defeat He-Man. It was only in 1985’s He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword, we learned that Skeletor was once the disciple of Hordak, leader of the Evil Horde on the planet Etheria. When Hordak invaded Eternia, Randor’s army forced the Horde to retreat, abandoning Skeletor on Eternia. It’s a twist on the original backstory of the mini-comics. Only with the added wrinkle of Skeletor being Hordak’s former minion.

The First Hints Emerge of Skeletor as He-Man’s Uncle (1987)Mattel

Before the original MOTU line ended in 1987, Mattel added one more wrinkle to Skeletor’s backstory. In the mini-comic “The Search for Kedlor,” we learn that the brother of King Randor, Keldor, disappeared into another dimension years earlier. The comic strongly hinted that Skeltor was Keldor, somehow corrupted. Thus, making Skeletor He-Man’s uncle. When the toyline ended, Mattel dropped that plot thread entirely for a very long time. The 1987 live-action MOTU movie, where Frank Langella played Skeletor, gave us no backstory on Skeletor at all. He was just a scenery-chewing villain.

The New Adventures of He-Man’s Forgotten SkeletorMattel

The 1990 New Adventures of He-Man cartoon gave Skeletor a new look, along with cybernetic enhancements. In this short-lived animated series, Skeletor found himself lost in the far future. In the future, he joins forces with the Evil Mutants of Denebria and their leader, Flogg. He-Man is, of course, also trapped in this future, and the two continue their never-ending battle. At the end of that series, He-Man traps his arch-foe in a shuttlepod in the depths of outer space. It’s technically a continuation of the 1983 Filmation show, but all future sequalizations have basically de-canonized it.

MOTU 200X Canonizes Skeletor as KeldorCartoon Network

The 2002 animated reboot of MOTU revealed that Skeletor was once Keldor, who trained in dark magic thanks to Hordak. When Keldor attacked the Hall of Wisdom (the future Castle Grayskull), he fought Randor, the Prince of Eternia at the time. Keldor threw acid at Randor, but he deflected it back at him, disfiguring his face. Keldor sought out Hordak to save his life, and using dark magic, he transformed him into his current Skeletor form. Had the series been renewed for a third season, the show’s creators later confirmed that Skeletor/Keldor would have been revealed as King Randor’s half-brother.

RELATED ARTICLE

The Ultimate MOTU Easter Egg Hunt: 19 Classic References Hidden in the MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Trailer

In the 2012 MOTU DC Comics mini-series, they finally confirmed Keldor as the son of Eternia’s King Miro and a blue-skinned Gar woman. (The Gar were a separate humanoid race that lived in Eternia). Even though he was the elder son, because Randor was a full-blooded human, Miro groomed Randor for the throne. This, of course, was very alienating to Keldor. Decades after a tease going back to a random 1987 mini-comic, MOTU finally confirmed that Keldor was He-Man’s uncle.

Competing 2021 MOTU Cartoons Officially Make Keldor He-Man’s UncleNetflix

In 2021, Netflix introduced two distinct versions of the MOTU. There was the kid-friendly CGI He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and Masters of the Universe: Revelation. The former was a total reboot, while Revelation was a continuation of the ’80s cartoon (while ignoring the ’90s cartoon). In both of these new takes, their version of Skeletor was formerly Keldor, King Randor’s brother. In the CGI series, Keldor was responsible for banishing Prince Adam as a child. And in Revelation, Skeletor lost his memories of being Randor’s brother. Thus, explaining why he never brought it up in the ’80s cartoon. Will the new movie keep this origin for Skeletor? Or will they even touch on his lineage at all? We’ll have to wait and find out when Masters of the Universe hits theaters on June 5.

The post Exploring the Many Origins of MOTU’s Skeletor appeared first on Nerdist.

Categories: Nerd News

Wait, could they still actually break up Live Nation?

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 14:38
A federal jury found that Live Nation has acted illegally as a monopoly -- but the company just came to a tentative settlement with the DOJ last month.
Categories: Nerd News

Anthropic's Project Glasswing CVE tally is still anyone's guess

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 14:33
Like the majority of the companies participating, it remains a mystery

Last week, Anthropic surprised the world by declaring that its latest model, Mythos, is so good at finding vulns that it would create chaos if released. Now, under the title of Project Glasswing, over 50 selected companies and orgs are allowed to test the hyped up LLM to find security holes in their own products. But just how many problems have they really discovered?…

Don't let the bot play doctor! AI gets early diagnoses wrong 80% of the time

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 14:07
'LLMs should not be trusted for patient-facing diagnostic reasoning,' boffins advise

People ask AI for all kinds of advice, including the kind of questions you'd ask a physician. However, the next time you're tempted to query ChatGPT if that growth on your face is skin cancer, consider this: research shows today's leading AI models fail at early differential diagnosis in more than 8 out of 10 cases.…

Monarch Tractor’s collapse ends in with an acquisition by Caterpillar

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 14:05
The startup had faced mounting pressure from dealers, farmers, and a co-founder who complained that Monarch's tech didn't work properly.
Categories: Nerd News

Customers revolt as GitHub Copilot 'fixes' rate limits

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:25
Repair of bug that undercounted token usage leads to rapid exhaustion of subscription allowance

Microsoft's GitHub last week told Copilot customers that they'd have to reduce their use of the AI service to ease the strain on company servers. This follows the company's discovery last month of a token counting bug that appears to have broken the company's pricing model.…

AMC Theaters Strangely Defensive About Raising Stubs A-List Fee

The Nerdist - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:20

With the price of just about everything going up these days, there’s still one place we can always go to escape the constant terrors of the world – the movies. Except that’s also going to cost moe now. AMC Theaters has announced, with a very bizarre email to subscribers, that rising costs means it’s raising the price of its own a Stubs A-List subscription by two dollars a month. AMC Theatres

Stubs A-List members latest email from AMC Theaters promoting upcoming releases also included news of a prince increase. (Which we first heard about at Variety.) It’s the first since May 2025 and will start on July 15. That will raise the cost in New York and California to $29.99 per month, with other going up to $27.99.

Obviously no one is ever happy about paying more for anything. And combined with last year’s three dollar increase, that’s a not insignificant percentage increase in just 14 months. In a vacuum, though, two more dollars a month is not exactly an outrageous amount since the service is still a good deal for movie lovers who go a lot.

And yet, the theater chain seems highly defensive about the whole thing. In the email, AMC wrote, “Price Update: We should point out, though, that we have not advised you of a price increase in A-List for more than a year, while our costs of operating our theatres are rising.” They then added, “Even with this necessary price adjustment, A-List continues to offer you exceptional value, often costing only the price of seeing about one to two movies per month, especially when you enjoy premium formats or reserve tickets online. It really is now — and will continue to be — a terrific bargain.”

Warner Bros.

Settle down, AMC. The angry, pre-defense is worse than just saying, “Everything costs more so we need to charge you a little more.” We know everything costs more right now. Believe me, we know. But you don’t have to yell at us about it. There’s enough of that everywhere else . We want the movies to continue to be an escape for us.

The post AMC Theaters Strangely Defensive About Raising Stubs A-List Fee appeared first on Nerdist.

Categories: Nerd News

Shoe company says it's getting into AI infrastructure and yes this is the top

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:06
Following in the footsteps of Long Island Iced Tea

OPINION  Back in December 2017, an obscure American soft drinks company changed its name from Long Island Iced Tea to Long Blockchain.…

You Can Try OBSESSION’S One Wish Willow For Yourself

The Nerdist - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 12:37

Did anyone ever warn you to be careful what you wish for? In Focus Features’ upcoming horror movie, Obsession, that’s precisely the lesson. Obsession puts a chilling new spin on the classic monkey’s paw tale. Central to the story is The One Wish Willow, a supernatural toy that grants you any wish imaginable. Guess what? You can actually buy the mysterious wish-granting artifact for yourself…if you dare. Check out the very real infomercial below.You Only Get One Wish…So Make it Count!

I know peak marketing when I see it. And this is definitely it. In addition to the above infomercial, there’s an entire One Wish Willow website where you can buy your very own One Wish Willow. And for only $6.99, might I add. The website goes over how the product works and includes a short FAQ section. If you dare to try it out for yourself…be warned. Each One Wish Willow is single use only and all wishes are irreversible. Per the website, the One Wish Willow follows a few simple steps.

  1. Remove from the box and make a wish.
  2. Spark the middle and break it in half.
  3. Enjoy your wish! (and you better, because there’s no changing it).

The product is also available in stores at The Green Man in Burbank, California.

RELATED ARTICLE

OBSESSION Trailer: NEVER Cast a Love Spell on SomeoneUnhappy? Call the One Wish Willow Hotline (They Pick Up)

Not satisfied with your wish? Don’t worry, help is just a call away. On the One Wish Willow website is a help hotline, which you can actually call. In the name of good journalism (and out of my own curiosity) I called the number to see what would happen. The message I received did not disapoint.

After a couple of rings, my call was answered by a One Wish Willow representative, one that sounded very unenthused to speak with me. Clearly, they get these calls all of the time. I don’t want to spoil all the fun, so you’ll just have to call yourself if you’re curious. Let’s just say if you’re hoping to take back a wish, the hotline was not extremely helpful.

To call the number, dial 1-323-747-7118. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Nerdist

From Focus Features, Obsession is written and directed by Curry Barker. It follows one hopeless romantic who is desperate to win his crush’s heart. His wish turns sour as he realizes true love isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be.

For ethical reasons, I should probably disclose that the One Wish Willow doesn’t actually grant real wishes. Everything in this article is purely for entertainment. But it is a pretty cool way to promote the movie! You can buy your very own One Wish Willow by clicking the link here. You can also catch Obsession in theaters on May 15.

The post You Can Try OBSESSION’S One Wish Willow For Yourself appeared first on Nerdist.

Categories: Nerd News

OpenAI updates its Agents SDK to help enterprises build safer, more capable agents

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 12:28
OpenAI has expanded the capabilities of its agent-building toolkit, as agentic AI continues to grow in popularity.
Categories: Nerd News

TV Shows That Are Canceled or Ending in 2026: FROM Sets Final Season

The Nerdist - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:59

Another year of television will usher in more memorable moments and brilliant characters. But, with the joys of new shows and returning ones alike, there is the sad side of becoming invested into a series. It is not uncommon for show cancellations to happen in this streaming era before a show even gets to find its stride. And, like all good things in life, a series has to come to an end at some point. We hate to say goodbye but we always cherish the narrative journey. In 2026, there are quite a few shows that either got an unfortunate cancellation notice or are simply ending, perhaps wrapping up the plan of their creative team. 

Let’s get into what shows we will have to say goodbye to this year. 

All the TV Shows Cancelled or Ending in 2026; Jump To: From (MGM+) MGM+

MGM+ has renewed From for a fifth and final season, marking the end of the series. The sci-fi horror series starring Lost‘s Harold Perrineau is set to air season four this spring, and its final-season writers’ room has already opened. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, creator John Griffin revealed, “There was a fair amount of soul-searching. But we all came to the realization that if we made that sixth season, it would be for us, because it’s just too hard to say goodbye.”

He additionally noted: “In full transparency, five seasons was always the goal, but we always wanted to let the story tell us when it was time to end. When we reached the end of season three and the death of Jim (Eion Bailey), it felt like we reached the end of the beginning. Similarly, season four very naturally feels like the beginning of the end. We’ve had the opportunity to tell this story from the beginning the way we really wanted to tell it, with the full support of Michael Wright and everybody over at MGM. It’s rare you get to tell this type of story and give it the life you feel it needs, to let the story decide when it’s time to end.”

From season four will release on April 19.

Talamasca: The Secret Order (AMC) AMC

Alas, AMC’s first Anne Rice Immortal Universe series to be cancelled is Talamasca: The Secret Order. The Talamasca series told an original story set in Anne Rice’s world, not following any specific novel or original source material, but expanding upon the idea of the Talamasca spy organization to tell a new tale. Many quite liked the series’ characters, including Guy Anatole, played by Nicholas Denton, and the vampire Jasper, played by William Fichtner. But it feels like the show’s story just didn’t fully come together. For our part, we enjoyed the chemistry between the leads, but felt it wasn’t campy or queer enough to compete with AMC’s Interview with the Vampire, which truly hit a home run. And so, Talamasca: The Secret Order ends after only one season.

A statement from AMC makes it sound like we could see the characters elsewhere in the franchise, so we’ll hold out hope for that.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Paramount+) Paramount+

This YA centric series just wrapped up its first season, and seemed to have promise with another season already in progress. Hopefully, the creatives for this Paramount+ series wrote their scripts without any major cliffhangers, because Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is cancelled and will end with season two. Welp.

It speaks to our current TV climate where shows barely get a chance to find their footing before going on the chopping block. What if viewership went up in season 2, which wrapped production in early 2026? I guess we will never know.

“We’re incredibly proud of the ambition, passion, and creativity that went into bringing Star Trek: Starfleet Academy to life,” CBS Studios and Paramount+ said in a joint statement. “The series introduced audiences to a bold new group of characters, welcomed familiar faces, and expanded the Star Trek universe in exciting new ways.

Hacks (HBO)

HBO Max confirmed that season five will be the final round for its comedy series Hacks. A trailer for its last season gave fans both delight and sadness. The show returns on April 9 with its series finale on May 28.

The Boys (Prime Video) Prime Video

It’s been quite the wild ride with Butcher and Homelander. This Prime Video series, an adaptation of Garth Ennis’ comic series, gave us a raunchy and hyper violent look into what a would would be like if superpowered individuals had mostly terrible intentions. We’ve watched Wee Hughie grow up to be a boss, Kimiko’s healing journey, MM process his childhood trauma, and a surprising redemption arc for A-Train, among other great storylines. Now, with the US in a political crisis and supes throwing humans into detention centers, it is time to see how this show will end in 2026. The Boys’ fifth and final season will premiere on April 8 and we are grateful that this series will get to tell its full story. 

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)

One TV show that will be cancelled in 2026 is The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The circumstances behind bringing this series to an end are complicated, to say the least. Colbert is known for being openly critical of both CBS and our current president, which isn’t unusual for the average late show host. While the company says that his thoughts are not behind the cancellation, it is interesting that they co-exist. The series finale will air on May 21. 

RELATED ARTICLE

THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT Will End This May The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC) AMC

Daryl’s journey across seasons (now with his bestie Carol in tow) will come to an end after four seasons. From the dangers of France to Spain, Daryl has honestly been having so much fun getting into various messy shenanigans that I don’t think he really wants to go back home. With filming wrapped for the series back in November, we can certainly expect this final chapter to air as this show ends sometime in 2026. Will it set up a Walking Dead event that reunites all the original series’ main players? We will have to see. 

Outlander (Starz)

After a whopping eight seasons and twelve years, Outlander is coming to an end. That almost feels unheard of in today’s times where a show can take 3-5 years off between seasons… if it gets more than one or two seasons at all. This historical fantasy series fervent fanbase will get to know how this long-running saga ends when its final round runs from March to May of this year. (And if you just can’t wait, there’s always the books to turn to.)

Good Omens (Prime Video) Prime Video

Good Omens‘ future was very much in the air following season two’s heart wrenching ending. But, despite the allegations swirling around Neil Gaiman, who is no longer creatively attached to the show, there will be an ending to this series. It will not come in a season but rather a 90-minute episode to wrap things up. Hopefully, Aziraphale and Crowley will get the happy final moments that they deserve. 

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Aziraphale and Crowley Deserve Their GOOD OMENS Happy Ending The Witcher (Netflix)

Back in 2024, Netflix’s live-action fantasy series based on games by the same name, The Witcher was renewed for a fifth and final season. Season four aired in the Fall of 2025 with Liam Hemsworth taking the reins as Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill. And considering that season four and five were filmed back to back, it is pretty certain that this story will come to an end before 2026 is over. 

All American (The CW)

Besides the greatness that is Ted Lasso, sports dramas usually fall outside of our nerdy wheelhouse. But All American feels like a slice of a time when The CW was ruling the airwaves with ensemble dramas that seemingly never ended. Sadly, All American is about to be all over when season eight premieres sometime in 2026. That’s eight seasons in eight years, which is a pretty darn good run. 

The Way Home (Hallmark Channel)

This is also a little outside of our normal coverage zone considering it is a Hallmark series. But the premise is one that would grab the attention of those of us who like time traveling and drama that punches us in the feels. The series follows three generations of women—matriarch Del, her adult daughter Kat, and Kat’s teenage daughter Alice—who live on a small Canadian farm.

There are some deep family wounds, but there’s also a pond that allows certain people to time travel. Alice (and others) begin to jump through time and cause a domino effect along the way. The Way Home’s fourth and last season begins to air on April 19, making it yet another show ending in 2026. 

Originally published on March 3, 2026.

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The post TV Shows That Are Canceled or Ending in 2026: FROM Sets Final Season appeared first on Nerdist.

Categories: Nerd News

Hightouch reaches $100M ARR fueled by marketing tools powered by AI

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:55
The startup says it grew its ARR by $70 million in just 20 months after launching an AI agent platform for marketers.
Categories: Nerd News

LinkedIn data shows AI isn’t to blame for hiring decline… yet

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:51
LinkedIn says hiring is down 20% since 2022, but blames higher interest rates — not AI — for the slowdown.
Categories: Nerd News

Feds will require data centers to show their power bills

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:50
In a first, the U.S. Energy Information Agency said it will require data centers to disclose details of their energy use.
Categories: Nerd News

Local duo honored for offensive production on the court | All-PCAL boys basketball

The Pajaronian - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:46

There comes a time and moment during a game when a player simply takes over a game for his basketball team.

St. Francis senior Robert Gomez Jr. and Pajaro Valley sophomore Alan Cervantes were those go-to guys for their respective squads this past winter season.

The two local ballers displayed their offensive skills by scoring from all parts of the hardwood court while also dishing the rock to open teammates for the easy bucket.

Gomez Jr. and Cervantes didn’t just meet expectations, they exceeded them. 

The coaches within the Pacific Coast Athletic League took notice by naming Gomez Jr. and Cervantes the Offensive Player of the Year in the Mission and Santa Lucia divisions, respectively.

“[Gomez Jr.] had a heck of a year,” said St. Francis head coach, and father, Robert Gomez. “What impressed me most about his year was his consistency.” 

Gomez Jr. scored more than 20 points in 10 of the 12 games in Mission Division play, and in both of the Sharks’ Central Coast Section playoff games. 

The times he didn’t reach that marker was because they were ahead by a large margin, forcing Gomez Jr. to not play much in the fourth quarter. 

Gomez Jr. finished with an average of 18.8 points per game in 25 games played, scoring a total of 471 points this past winter season, according to statistics on the Monterey Bay Preps website.

The Sharks standout was a sharpshooter from beyond the arc with a total of 89 3-pointers, and also led the Mission Division in steals while playing a full 32 minutes in most games. 

“His basketball maturity stepped up big time, and he came to play on both sides of the ball every night,” Gomez said. 

Marina senior Kaleb True and Hollister freshman Rudy Lopez Jr. were named the Mission Division’s co-Most Valuable Players for the 2025-26 season.

PV head coach Eddie Marin said Cervantes is a combo player who can play a forward/guard hybrid-type position, or as the skipper calls it the “point-forward”, with tons of potential and room for growth. 

“[Cervantes] maturity level and the way he continues to improve every year have been amazing,” Marin said. 

Cervantes played during some critical minutes this past winter campaign for PV, which were runners-up in the PCAL Santa Lucia standings. He was recording double-double numbers, finishing with an average of 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.

“[Cervantes’] leadership on and off the court has been great, and the sky is the limit for him this upcoming year,” Marin said. 

The Grizzly standout said his sophomore season had a lot of great challenges. Cervantes added that seeing the game differently made him realize new ways to improve, letting the game come to him while making the team better.

“I feel honored to be chosen for such an award,” Cervantes said. “I appreciate everyone who’s been with me along the way, from teammates to coaches. I will continue to improve and learn a lot from my experiences, and work hard in the offseason.”

Kirby senior Chris Lively was named the Santa Lucia’s Most Valuable Player, while York sophomore Andrew Boyce took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Cervantes’ goal has always been to play at the college level, saying he’s willing to do anything to make that possible, starting by working hard and getting better every year. 

“Basketball has always been on my mind since I was young, and it is sometimes my only way to escape reality and find joy and excitement,” he said. 

Pacific Coast Athletic League All-League Boys Basketball Teams Mission Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Players: Kaleb True (Sr.), Marina and Rudy Lopez Jr. (Fr.), Hollister

Offensive Player of the Year: Robert Gomez Jr. (Sr.), St. Francis

First Team

Kingston Salviejo, Rancho San Juan

Cooper Olin, Stevenson

Sebastian Jones, Alvarez

Kaleb True, Marina

Rudy Lopez Jr., Hollister

Robert Gomez, St Francis

Second Team

Darrian Kelly, Marina

Nate Kombe, Marina

Ray Bojorquez, Alvarez

Rollins Bastien, Hollister

Jacob Jimenez, St. Francis

Donovan Diaz, Hollister

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team

AIdan Petrossi , Marina

Aiden Jones, Alvarez

Isaiah Villalobos, St Francis

Kody Dickens, Hollister

Jack Dalhamer, Stevenson

Marcos Garcia, RSJ

Conor Perez, North Monterey County

Santa Lucia Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Chris Lively (Sr.), Kirby

Offensive Player of the Year: Alan Cervantes (So.), Pajaro Valley

Defensive Player of the Year: Andrew Boyce (So.), York

First Team

Chris Lively, Kirby 

Alon Teragawa, Kirby 

Juanito Montiel, Pajaro Valley 

Alan Cervantes, Pajaro Valley  

Andrew Boyce, York  

Brady Ramones, Trinity Christian 

Second Team 

Henry Gorecki-Cook, Kirby 

Jude Epega, York 

Adrian Valdez, Pajaro Valley 

Felix Io, Anzar 

Xavier Contreras, Anzar 

Rey Magana, Ceiba 

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team 

Jerry Zhao, York 

Manuel Florean, Kirby 

Mario Ramirez, Pajaro Valley 

Brayden Tollison, Anzar 

Marcos Arellano, Ceiba 

Nathan Leta, Monterey Bay Academy 

Joel Torres, Trinity Christian

Elgie Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team

Ceiba

Cypress Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Pedro Morales (Sr.), Soledad

First Team

Pedro Morales (Sr.), Soledad

Calvin DeShazo (So.), Soledad

Johell Carrillo (Sr.), King City

Jeremy Silver (Sr.), Monte Vista Christian

Matteo Vidal (Jr.), MVC

Andre Lizaola (Sr.), North Salinas

Second Team

Jeronimo Morales (So.), Soledad

Go Kamashita (Sr.), MVC

Johnny Miranda (Sr.), Greenfield

Fernando De Leon-Amador (Sr.), Gonzales

Tulua Timote (Sr.), Seaside

Angel Lizaola (Sr.), North Salinas

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team

Jose Estrada (Sr.), Soledad

Niel Rader (So.), MVC

Benny Navarro (Sr.), North Salinas

Fernando Camacho (Sr.), King City

Frankie Hernandez (Sr.), Greenfield

Caine Viallanueva (Fr.), Seaside

Ian Bulfin (Sr.), Pacific Collegiate

Alex Hernandez (Fr.), Gonzales

Elgie Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team

Seaside

Gabilan Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: JT Herreld (Sr.), Palma

Offensive Player of the Year: Tai Suich (Jr.), Palma

Defensive Player of Year: Gabriel Valencia (Sr.), Pacific Grove

First Team 

J.T. Harreld (Sr.), Palma 

Tai Suich (Jr.), Palma 

Gabriel Valencia (Sr.), Pacific Grove 

Max Aceves (Sr.), Watsonville  

Bryce Smith-Keeney (Jr.), Oakwood 

Dekota Ordonio (Sr.), Monterey 

Second Team

JJ Saucedo (Sr.), Palma

Andrew Nimri (Jr.), Pacific Grove

Bronson Gulley (Jr.), Monterey 

Christian Lopez (Sr.), Alisal

Sebastian Reiser (Jr.), Carmel

Mikkah Claspell (So.), Salinas

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team

Luke Hansotte, Oakwood

Diego Garcia, Watsonville

Aaron Dimaano-Antolin, Alisal

Bobby Pineda, Salinas

Don Desai, Carmel

Elgie Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team

Palma

AI learning app Gizmo levels up with 13M users and a $22M investment

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:38
Gizmo, an AI-powered learning platform, has attracted more than 13 million users and just secured $22 million in Series A funding.
Categories: Nerd News

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