Wicked Local

The Mega Millions jackpot rose to $177 million ahead of the Friday, Sept. 4, drawing with a cash value of $76.3 million. If someone were to get lucky on Friday and win the jackpot, they’ll have two options: take home a one-time, lump-sum cash payment or receive an immediate payment followed by annual checks, each 5% larger than the previous year.

Art Illman Sept. 4, 2026, 6:54 p.m. ET The Caterpillar Lab Executive Director Sam Jaffe shares a caterpillar experience with a young visitor at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Sept. 4, 2026.

If you're planning a Labor Day weekend BBQ or a season of tailgates, this electric grill brush could make post-cookout cleanup a whole lot easier. Sept. 4, 2026, 12:47 p.m. ET An electric grill brush is on sale during Labor Day Weekend. The brush is cordless and has 150 minutes of runtime.

The campaign to elect Anne Brensley to secretary of the commonwealth is claiming victory, saying the Wayland resident earned the 5,000 write-in votes she needed during Tuesday's state primary elections to qualify for the November ballot. “This victory belongs to the thousands of grassroots voters who refused to accept politics as usual,” said Brensley, a former Wayland Select Board member, in an emailed statement.

Major airlines are implementing new restrictions on portable chargers due to safety concerns over lithium-ion batteries. The FAA requires all portable chargers and power banks to be packed in carry-on luggage, not checked bags. Some airlines may prohibit the use of portable chargers to power devices during the flight. — Our editors and readers independently select what you see on 10BEST. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Sept. 4, 2026, 10:17 a.m. ET Want to spend Labor Day weekend on the water on Cape Cod? If so, you'll want to avoid the freshwater swimming spots where there may be harmful algae blooms. According to the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), swimming in water with high levels of cyanobacteria poses a threat of illness. Symptoms of cyanobacteria ingestion can range from headache and fever to nausea and vomiting or even serious liver damage, warns the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Sept. 4, 2026, 10:15 a.m. ET Want to spend Labor Day weekend at a beach in Massachusetts? If so, you'll want to avoid the beaches closed due to unsafe swimming water. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) states that swimming in the water at these closed beaches poses a threat of illness, often due to high levels of bacteria. Symptoms of water-borne illness can range from nausea and vomiting to a sore throat and fever, or even rashes and infections.

Labor Day weekend is officially here, and Amazon is packed with deals on everything from camping essentials and travel gear to home upgrades that can make everyday life a little easier. While major sale events often flood shoppers with thousands of discounts, not every deal is actually worth it. That's why I've rounded up the Amazon Labor Day deals that stand out for their usefulness, strong customer reviews and everyday value.

John Walker Sept. 4, 2026, 9:43 a.m. ET Maynard junior captain Henry Waguespack is pressured by Millis senior Flavio Ferreira during the scrimmage at Alumni Field in Maynard, Sept. 3, 2026. The teams played to a 2-2 tie. John Walker, Daily News And Wicked Local Staff Millis senior Christyann Miranda brings the ball up the field, as Maynard sophomore Jordan Diaz pursues him, during the scrimmage at Alumni Field in Maynard, Sept. 3, 2026.

The Dreame Nova IPL Hair Removal Device is on sale for Labor Day at a 33% discount. This at-home device uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology for long-term hair reduction. Key features include Sapphire ICE Cooling for comfort and Adaptizone technology for safety. The device is currently available for $199.99, which is $100 off its regular price. Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and it's also one of the best times of the year to save on big-ticket beauty and personal care products.