Wednesday July 15, 2026 Norman M. Aaronson

Theme:  DOUBLE AGENTS.  Both words of the starred theme entries can be followed by "AGENT" yielding an in-the-language phrase that describes a person, or entity authorized to act on behalf of another or to execute a specific task.

17. *Yet-to-be-revealed ability: SECRET TALENT.   An innate aptitude that goes unnoticed because it has never been actively explored or formally documented.

25. *Fundraising events for some libraries: BOOK SALES.    Commercial transactions involving books, or community or library events where discarded and donated books are sold to the public, often at deeply discounted prices. 

38. *Airport announcement: GATE CHANGE.   A "gate change" in air travel means your flight is reassigned to a different boarding area or terminal than originally printed on your ticket.  Airport gate changes are common and occur when incoming flights are delayed, mechanical issues arise, or airports need to maximize operational efficiency. 

53. *First Amendment guarantee: FREE PRESS.   A free press refers to an independent news media that reports on current events, public figures, and government actions without state censorship, prior restraint, or corporate dictation. Acting as a "fourth estate" or public watchdog, it ensures accountability, informs citizens, and facilitates democratic discourse.

64. Spies with divided loyalties, and what the answers to the starred clues are: DOUBLE AGENTS.  A double agent is a spy who pretends to serve one intelligence agency or government while secretly working for a rival or enemy. Their primary purpose is to leak sensitive secrets, feed false information to their "employers," or identify other spies.

So, what do we have?

Secret Agent -  an official employee of a government intelligence agency who operates covertly to gather classified information or conduct special operations. 

Talent Agent -  a licensed representative who secures employment for actors, musicians, models, and other creatives. 

Book Agent -  a publishing professional who represents authors. They act as your business partner and advocate, pitching your manuscript to publishing houses, negotiating your contract and advance, and managing long-term career goals 

Sales Agent -  an independent professional or agency authorized to sell a company's products or services. 

Gate Agent - A gate agent is an airline employee who manages the boarding and departure process at an airport gate. They verify tickets and passports, make public announcements, manage seat assignments, and ensure passengers get on the correct aircraft safely.

Change Agent -   an individual, group, or organization that initiates, champions, or facilitates transformation. 

Free Agent -  A professional athlete who is not currently under contract with any team and is free to negotiate and sign with the highest bidder or preferred franchise. 

Press Agent - A professional hired to manage and promote the public image of an individual or organization by securing favorable media coverage.

Hi Gang - JazzBumpa here, noticing that all of us bloggers here at the Corner have AGENCY to make independent choices and creative decisions.  Does that make us AGENTS?  You can decide.  I got flummoxed a while back when the theme was triple doubles, and this is a similar concept.  True to form, I had a hard time sussing it.

Across:

1. Gerrit who won the 2023 AL Cy Young Award: COLE.  Gerrit Alan Cole [b. 1990] is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. In 2023, he pitched 209 innings with a 2.63 ERA, 222 Ks and .981 WHIP.  

5. Patient contributions: COPAYS. A copay is a fixed, out-of-pocket fee you pay for a specific covered healthcare service or prescription.

11. Capitol Hill fig.: SEN.  Senator

14. Assert: AVER.  To state or declare something to be true in a positive, confident, and sometimes formal manner.

15. Natural light shows: AURORAS.   Luminous atmospheric events that appear as glowing bands, curtains, or streamers of light in the night sky (typically green, red, or purple). Thay are caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere.

16. Pub quaff: ALE.   A type of beer brewed using a warm, "top-fermenting" yeast. Compared to lagers, ales are fermented at higher temperatures, resulting in a quicker brewing process and a flavor profile that is generally more complex, full-bodied, fruitier, and sometimes more bitter

19. Sleep acronym: REM.   Rapid Eye Movement, the stage of the sleep cycle characterized by vivid dreams, darting eyes, and temporary muscle paralysis.

20. Menopause treatment, briefly: HRT.   Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that replaces hormones your body no longer produces in sufficient quantities. 

21. Fragrances: SMELLS.   Aromas

22. Nonverbal greeting: WAVE.  To move one's hand or an object back and forth to signal, greet, or bid farewell.

23. Consecrate: BLESS.   To officially make something holy or to dedicate it exclusively to a sacred or divine purpose. 

28. Flat tire problem: AIR LEAK.   A phenomenon where air escapes from a gas-filled cavity or container into a space where it does not belong. 

31. Playwright O'Neill: EUGENE.   Eugene Gladstone O'Neill Sr. [1888 - 1953] was an American playwright. His poetically titled plays were among the first to introduce into the U.S. the drama techniques of realism, earlier associated with Chekhov, Ibsen, and Strindberg.

32. Nevada city near Lake Tahoe: RENO.  a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada–California border. It is the county seat and most populous city of Washoe County.  It blends casino nightlife with a premier outdoor recreation.

33. Horned equine: UNICORN.    aAmythical horse-like creature with a single, straight horn on its forehead. Because of this legendary creature, the term is widely used to describe anything that is rare, highly sought after, or seemingly unattainable.

37. Capital of Switzerland?: ESS.   The 19th letter of the English alphabet, and the first letter of Switzerland.  A tiresome, self-referential clue.

41. Moody rock genre: EMO.   "Emo" (short for emotional) is a genre of rock music and a corresponding subculture characterized by highly confessional, introspective lyrics, and often intense, melodic guitar riffs.

44. "Now, listen ... ": SEE HERE.  An idiomatic phrase used to get someone's attention, express an objection, or introduce a statement. It serves as an admonition directing the listener to pay close attention to what the speaker is about to say.

45. Speller's phrase: AS IN.  Example: Q as in quixotic.  I misread the clue as "Seller's phrase and had AS IS.  That didn't help.

49. Martin of TV's "Mission: Impossible": LANDAU.   Martin James Landau [1928 - 2017] was an American actor. His career began in the late 1950s, with early film appearances including a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest. His career breakthrough came with leading roles in the television series Mission: Impossible and Space: 1999. 

51. Person from Ljubljana, e.g.: SLOVENE.  Ljubljana is Slovenia's capital and largest city. It's known for its university population and green spaces, including expansive Tivoli Park. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined in outdoor cafes, divides the city's old town from its commercial hub. It's an 11 hour flight from Detroit.

57. Audacity: NERVE.    Bold, daring, or reckless confidence.

58. Challenge for a biker: HILL.  Peddle harder.

59. "Rebecca" novelist du Maurier: DAPHNE.   Dame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning, [1907 - 1989] was an English novelist, biographer and playwright. 

62. __ al-Fitr: EID.   Eid al-Fitr translates in Arabic to the "Festival of Breaking the Fast". It is a joyous major Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of dawn-to-dusk fasting.  The chance that I will remember this is effectively 0.

63. De Armas of "Knives Out": ANA.  Ana Celia de Armas Caso [b 1988] is a Cuban-Spanish actress known for her versatility and roles in both Spanish and Hollywood films. De Armas first gained recognition for her role in the 2019 movie Knives Out, earning a Golden Globe nomination. She went on to star as Marilyn Monroe in the 2022 biographical drama Blonde, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. 

67. First number in many countdowns: TEN.   And in count ups.

68. Likable enough: NICE-ISH.  I guess this is a nice enough word-ish.
 
69. Get together: MEET.   To come together at a specific place or time.

70. NNW opposite: SSE.  North northwest and south southeast, 180 degree opposite secondary intercardinal directions.

71. Warns: ALERTS.   Notifies or warns someone of a potential risk, giving them time to prepare or react.

72. Bygone Palm smartphone: TREO.   The Palm Trēo was a groundbreaking line of early smartphones originally developed by Handspring and later acquired by Palm, Inc. Known for integrating cellular service with PDA features like calendars and email, iconic models like the 2004 Trēo 650 featured a physical QWERTY keyboard, an SD card slot, and a stylus

Down:
1. Feature of some wedding receptions: CASH BAR.   An event setup where guests pay for their own alcoholic beverages.

2. Rest on top of: OVERLIE.   To lie on top of or rest upon something. It is commonly used in geology and technical contexts to describe a younger layer of rock, soil, or sediment covering an older layer beneath it.

3. Speaker's stand: LECTERN.   A lectern is a tall, standing desk with a slanted top used to hold books, notes, or a laptop. It is designed for speakers or readers to stand behind while delivering presentations, reading scriptures, or giving lectures.

4. Go wrong: ERR.  A formal or literary verb meaning to make a mistake, be incorrect, or stray from a course of action.  It's only human.

5. Adorable: CUTE.   Attractive or appealing in a pleasing, often youthful or dainty way. It typically describes things that are endearing and nonthreatening—like babies or puppies

6. Toothbrush brand: ORAL B.   an American brand of oral hygiene products currently owned by Procter & Gamble. Its products include toothpastes, toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, and mouthwashes. The brand was launched in 1950 in California by Robert W. Hutson, who was a pioneer of modern toothbrushes.

7. Arroz con __: chicken dish: POLLO.    Arroz con pollo is a traditional dish of Latin America. It typically consists of chicken cooked with rice, onions, saffron, and a plethora of other grains or vegetables. 

8. Childish retort: ARE SO.  Vs "Am not."  Back and forth.  

9. PBS chef Martin: YAN.   Martin Yan [b 1948]  is a Hong Kong-American chef, TV personality, and food ambassador who has hosted the PBS cooking show Yan Can Cook since 1982. Born in Guangzhou, China, Yan was inspired by his mother in their family restaurant kitchen. 

10. Retired boomer, for short: SST.  As an actual retired boomer, I was seriously confused.  However, this boomer is a Super Sonic Transport, a commercial aircraft that travels faster than the sound barrier, like the famous Concorde.  Its boom was sonic.  They are no longe in service.  However, next generation SSTs are under development.

11. Frozen brand that "nobody doesn't like": SARA LEE.   Sara Lee is an iconic American brand known for its frozen desserts, deli meats, and packaged bread. Founded in 1935 by Charles Lubin, who named the brand after his daughter, it became famous for its cheesecakes and pound cakes and the long-running slogan, "Everybody doesn't like something, but nobody doesn't like Sara Lee".

12. Gridiron sides: ELEVENS.  In American football the offense and the defense each have 11 players on the field

13. Formidable rivals: NEMESES.  A NEMSIS is an inescapable rival, a major source of ongoing trouble, or an agent of well-deserved punishment. Rooted in Greek mythology—where Nemesis was the goddess of divine retribution—it describes an ultimate antagonist or the inevitable cause of someone’s downfall.

15. Bread box?: ATM.  Automatic Teller Machine -  a computerized banking kiosk that allows you to withdraw cash, deposit funds, or check account balances without visiting a bank branch.

18. Being, in Latin: ESSE.   a Latin infinitive verb meaning "to be", which translates in English to existence, being, or essential nature. It is primarily used in philosophy, law, and common Latin phrases.

22. Dog's nonverbal greeting: WAG.  Tail wagging in dogs is a complex communication signal. Rather than simply meaning happiness, a wag indicates high emotional arousal, which can range from joy and excitement to anxiety, nervousness, or aggression. The exact meaning depends on the tail's height, speed, and the direction of the wag.

24. Plod along: SLOG.    Endure a tiring, laborious task or a slow, heavy march. 

26. Part of an ear: KERNEL.  Originally derived from the Old English word cyrnel (meaning "little seed"), a kernel refers to the soft, usually edible part of a nut or fruit stone, as well as a whole grain or seed of a cereal (like corn, wheat, or oats).  An "ear" of corn is the entire, contiguous fruit cluster of a maize plant, consisting of the woody central core (the cob), the tightly packed rows of edible seeds (kernels), and the leafy outer protective covering (the husk).

27. Belted out: SUNG.  Said of a song that was projected very loudly, forcefully, and with great enthusiasm. 

29. Stylish filmmaker: AUTEUR.   A director who exerts such high creative control over their projects that they are considered the primary "authors" of the film rather than just managers of the script.

30. Leg-bending joint: KNEE.  The primary joint connecting the human thigh to the lower leg. It is a modified hinge joint formed by the articulation of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone), while also being protected in the front by the patella (kneecap).

34. German pronoun: ICH.  First person singular.

35. "Evita" narrator: CHE.   Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna [1928 - 1967] was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, politician, and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, his stylized visage has become a countercultural symbol of rebellion and global insignia in popular culture.

36. Boathouse collection: OARS.   An oar is a long pole with flat, wide blade at one end, used to row or steer a boat. 

39. "Now!": ASAP.  As Soon As Possible.

40. Roof overhang: EAVE.  The eaves are the lower edges of a roof that project out and overhang the external walls of a building. Primarily, they protect the structure by directing rainwater runoff away from the siding and foundation.

41. Toppers in Santa's workshop: ELF HATS.   An elf hat is a cone-shaped, pointed cap associated with mythical elves, specifically Santa's helpers. Historically rooted in the ancient Phrygian cap, the red or green hat represents magic, mischievous household spirits, and holiday cheer, and is frequently worn during Christmas or in fantasy games.

42. Military branch at Camp Pendleton: MARINES.    Highly trained military personnel specializing in amphibious warfare and rapid-response operations.

43. Narrow, as some bridges: ONE LANE.    A narrow section of a roadway designed for vehicles to travel in a single line, one behind the other, without side-by-side passing.

46. More calm: SERENER.  Serene is an adjective that describes a state of being calm, peaceful, and entirely untroubled.  The comparative sense indicates that it is more so.  The -er suffix is used for short words.  Longer words are preceded by "more,"  ergo: more serene.  Seeing "serener" makes me feel less serene.

47. Possible guest: INVITEE.   A person who is invited to an event or gathering. It is commonly used as a synonym for "guest," referring to someone who has been asked to attend a social function, participate in an activity, or visit a specific location.  Alas, there's no guarantee they'll show up.

48. Must: NEEDS TO.  "Need to" is a modal phrase used to express necessity, obligation, or an essential requirement to achieve a specific goal. 

50. Wilmington's st.: DEL.  Delaware, a small Mid-Atlantic U.S. state, sits on a peninsula marked by dune-backed beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware River and Delaware Bay. 

52. Universal donor's type, briefly: O-NEG.   Type O negative blood is a "universal donor" because its red blood cells lack A, B, and Rh antigens, meaning it can be safely transfused into any patient.

54. Bring out: EDUCE.    To draw out, develop, or bring into reality something that is latent, hidden, or in a state of potential. 

55. __-toothed cat: SABER.  A genus of extinct felines with particularly well-developed forelimbs and exceptionally long upper canine teeth. They were not closely related to any modern cats.

56. Challenge for a bowler: SPLIT.  A split in bowling occurs on the first roll of a frame when the headpin is knocked down, but two or more non-adjacent pins remain standing with at least one gap between them. This leaves a very challenging spare attempt.

60. Gas brand with toy trucks: HESS.   The Hess Corporation was a major American energy company famous for its East Coast gas stations and iconic holiday toy trucks. In July 2025, Chevron acquired Hess for $53 billion. Hess has not operated any gas stations since selling its retail division to Speedway in 2014.

61. "Uh-uh": NAH.  Nope!

64. Genetic info carrier: DNA.  DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms. Acting as a biological instruction manual, its unique sequence of chemical building blocks determines traits, powers cellular functions, and is passed down from parents to offspring.

65. Canola __: OIL.   Rapeseed oil is one of the oldest known vegetable oils. There are both edible and industrial forms produced from rapeseed, the seed of several cultivars of the plant family Brassicaceae.  It is generally considered healthy in moderation. It is low in saturated fat and high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. It is an excellent choice for cooking due to its high smoke point.  Don't believe the negative hype.

66. CPR giver: EMT.   An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a frontline medical professional who provides out-of-hospital emergency care, such as CPR, bleeding control, and patient stabilization.   Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when a person's heartbeat or breathing has stopped. It combines chest compressions and rescue breaths to circulate oxygen-rich blood to the brain and vital organs.

On that healthy note we end another Wednesday.  Hope you had a doubly good time.  I had my nits, but there was a great theme and a lot of fresh fill.

Cool regards, 

JzB

Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Pam Amick Klawitter

 This is a SHADY CROSSWORD...

Pam Klawitter has done it again, with a solid themed puzzle with (mostly) easy perps that make this a perfect headscratcher for a Tuesday!

3 Down. Omnivorous shark with a distinctive face: BONNETHEAD.

BONNETHEAD (one word) related to the Hammerhead Shark, but smaller, with a distinctive head often called a Shovelhead Shark.

Typical Bonnet

9 Down. Horses awarded garlands of roses, perhaps: DERBY WINNERS.

Typical Derby

21 Down. Course that may be taught by the Coast Guard: BOATER SAFETY.

Typical Boater

31 Down. Collectible stuffed toy of the 1990s: BEANIE BABY.

Typical Beanie

AND THE REVEAL:

25 Down. Places where magicians' rabbits may hide, or what can be found in 3-, 9-, 21-, and 31-Down: TOP HATS.

Since all the Themers are in the downs, the hats can indeed be found "on top" of their theme answers! 

Silly Theme Link.

Reality...

Onward!

Across:
1. Kit prepped by many soon-to-be parents: GO BAG.

6. Hourglass filler: SAND.

10. Cruise ship amenity: SPA.

13. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" spinoff: RHODA.

(Fictional) Name #1.

14. Arboretum growth: TREE.

15. Massaman curry cuisine: THAI.

16. Declare void: ANNUL.

17. Not seasonal, as an indoor ski resort: YEAR ROUND.

19. Hither and __: YON.

20. Grampa Simpson: ABE.

(Fictional) Name #2.

22. Hearty steaks: T BONES.

23. Petrol pump brand: ESSO.

25. Aromatic herb: THYME.

26. Writer/actor Rogen: SETH.  Name #3

28. "Yo te __": AMO. "I love you" too...

30. Sing with a trill: WARBLE. (Reminds me of John Denver...)

34. Texter's qualifier: IMHO. In My Humble Opinion.

35. Gratuity: TIP.

36. Pants measurement: INSEAM.

37. Alphabet ender: ZEE.

38. Pheasant family members with showy mates: PEAHENS.

The male is a Peacock, the female is a Peahen.

40. Home screen icon: APP.

41. Pencil part: ERASER.

43. Writer Rand: AYN. Name #4

44. Tech review site: CNET. CNET stands for Computer NETwork.

45. Some van rentals: RYDERS. I have not seen a Ryder rental van in recent memory, everything around here is U-Haul. Have you seen any?

46. Caddie's stand: TEE. ( I question this clue, sounds like a stretch. Maybe Caddie's support?)

47. Like some skin: OILY.

48. Stockpile: AMASS.

50. Intense anger: RAGE. Imagine the golf course groundskeeper, upon finding Caddies were standing on tees, and squashing them into the greens...

52. Pass on, as an unwanted present: REGIFT. Did you know that there was only ever one fruit cake? It's been regifted ever since...

54. Forensics letters: CSI. Crime Scene Investigation.

55. Quite popular: BIG. (I wanted hot...)

58. Idaho city named for a Shoshone chief: POCATELLO. Name #5, note: I wanted to search for more info on the Person, a Shoshone Chief. But in scrolling down, was stopped by the trivia that "it is illegal not to smile" in Pocatello. The mayor enacted a tongue in cheek law after a bad 1948 winter, but the law was never repealed, and is still on the books...

60. Fixed gaze: STARE.

62. Make, as a salary: EARN.

63. Sort of blue?: TEAL. 

64. Part of a regular routine: HABIT.

65. "Minions: The Rise of __": GRU. 

(Fictional) Name #6

66. Class with asanas: YOGA. Body Positions, names of which are showing up in x-words more frequently these days... You had better study up...

67. Bottomless pit: ABYSS. (Or the list of asana names...)

Down:
1. Word before scale or whale: GRAY. Heard of Gray Whale, but you don't hear Gray Scale so much...

(Besides, it's a grey area...)

2. "This is really bad!": OH NO.

3. [Theme]

4. Soccer star Freddy who played for D.C. United: ADU.Name #7

5. Fancy parties: GALAS.

6. Lid inflammation: STYE.

7. "You __ My Sunshine": ARE.

8. Under, poetically: NEATH.

9. [Theme]

10. Elisabeth of "Cobra Kai": SHUE. Name #8

11. Chef's vessels: PANS.

12. Assistance: AID.

15. Products often applied before moisturizers: TONERS.

18. "Friends, __, countrymen ... ": ROMANS.

21. [Theme]

24. "The Chi" airer, briefly: SHO. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Name #9?

25. [Theme Reveal]

26. Jeweler's gadget: SIZER. 

Methinks this clue/answer should have been plural...

27. Abrasive board: EMERY.

29. The Dolphins, on scoreboards: MIA. Miami.

31. [Theme]

32. Spot for a pin: LAPEL.

33. Meaningless, as a promise: EMPTY.

38. Student driver's document: PERMIT.

39. Spud bud: EYE.

42. One with a plant- and fish-based diet: SEAGAN. If you say so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
44. Small part of a gear: COG. Hmm, this clue/answer appears to be correct. I only question it because I learned about Cogs from The Jetsons, and Spacely's Sprockets, and Cogswell's Cogs were not small parts... (hmm, what is a sprocket anyway...)

49. First pope called "The Great": ST. LEO.

51. Hinds of "9-1-1": AISHA. Ack! The names! I've lost track!

52. Rumble in the jungle: ROAR.

53. Linen shade: ECRU. 

Learning moment...

54. Soda choice: COLA.

56. Purple spring flower: IRIS.

57. Is hip to: GETS.

58. Cribbage piece: PEG.

59. Streaming hitch: LAG.

61. Bar bill: TAB.

The Grid.

Ah, how many Chapeau's could you have added?

You can toss your hat into the ring,  by writing in the comments...

CE:D out...

ฅ≽(•⩊ •マ≼

Hello from Portland Maine!

(Names omitted to protect the innocent....)

The irony of this photo, is that we were walking from one brewery to another.

(How did they know?)

Monday, July 13, 2026, Mark Tomek

Theme:  Say your piece.

Constructor Mark Tomek appears to be rather new to crossword authorship, and today marks Mark's debut in the Los Angeles Times!  Congratulations!  I finished this puzzle thinking, "I love Mondays!"

The four theme answers are common phrases that mean "speak at length."

18-Across. Ramble at length: PRATTLE ON.

23-Across. Chat at length: CHEW THE FAT.

41-Across. Blather at length: TALK A BLUE STREAK.

54-Across. Jabber at length: BABBLE AWAY.

The reveal:

65-Across. Hidden bar of the Prohibition era, or an apt title for this puzzle?: SPEAKEASY.

The theme answers, together with the reveal, occupy symmetrical spaces in the puzzle, and 41-Across spans the grid.  Just lovely.

The rest of the grid is nice, too.  But don't let me prattle on.  Let's have a look.

Across:

1. Not together: APART.

6. Nile cobra: ASP.

9. Adjust to one's surroundings: ADAPT.

14. Printer cartridge: TONER.

15. "The Producers" filmmaker Brooks: MEL.  Mel Brooks won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for his 1967 film The Producers.  His theatrical adaptation of The Producers ran on Broadway from 2001 to 2007 and won 12 Tony Awards, and then he adapted the theatrical version as another film in 2005.

Mel Brooks as Hitler.
Comedy is an enemy of fascism.

16. "The Hunchback of __ Dame": NOTRE.  The 1831 novel by Victor Hugo is set in 15th century Paris.  It has been adapted many times, notably as a 1923 silent film with Lon Chaney, a 1939 sound film with Charles Laughton, a 1956 film with Anthony Quinn, and a 1996 animated film with Tom Hulce.

Lon Chaney as The Hunchback of Notre Dame

17. Perennial with yellow flowers: TANSY.  Native to Europe and Asia, the tansy is invasive where it has been introduced to other continents, and is considered a noxious weed.  It's toxic, too.

Tansy

18. [Theme clue]

20. Most chilly: ICIEST.

22. Struggling at bat, say: IN A SLUMP.

23. [Theme clue]

25. Fluffy lapdog, familiarly: POM.  The Pomeranian is a toy dog breed descended from the German Spitz.

Pomeranian dog

26. Catch some rays: SUN.

27. Actress Mendes: EVA.  Eva Mendes is a retired American actress with a long list of film credits.  She has two daughters with Ryan Gosling.

Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling

30. Woeful word: ALAS.

34. Make fun of: MOCK.

37. Figure __: skater's pattern: EIGHT.

41. [Theme clue]

44. Brooded: MOPED.

45. French cleric: ABBÉ.  The French word for "abbot."

46. Risk-taker's hashtag: YOLO.  You only live once.

47. Try to win over: WOO.

49. "Now I've seen it __!": ALL.

51. Theater chain letters: AMC.  AMC Theatres (originally an abbreviation for American Multi-Cinema) was founded in 1920 and was pivotal in promoting multi-screen theaters from the early 1960s onward.

AMC theater lobby

54. [Theme clue]

61. __ Springs, New York: SARATOGA.  A city of about 30,000 people, Saratoga Springs is noted for its mineral springs and a horse racing track.  There's a Disney resort there, too.

Spring water in downtown Saratoga Springs

64. IV drip solution: SALINE.

65. [Theme clue]

67. Signals of hunger: PANGS.

68. Notification: ALERT.

69. Round Table title: SIR.  There were twelve knights at King Arthur's round table, including Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, and Sir Tristan.

70. Comedy show host: EMCEE.

71. Pound sounds: YELPS.  POMs are noted barkers, too.

72. Letters from a polite texter: PLS.  Texting abbreviation for "please."

73. Active types: DOERS.

Down:

1. Storage space that often has a slanted ceiling: ATTIC.

2. Eggs Benedict recipe instruction: POACH.

3. "__ Get Your Gun": ANNIE.  Annie Get Your Gun was a 1946 Broadway musical based on the life of Annie Oakley.  It featured hit songs by Irving Berlin including "There's No Business Like Show Business."  A 1950 film version followed.

Ethel Merman as Annie Oakley
in the 1946 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun

4. Fix again, as a torn seam: RESEW.

5. Clandestine meetings: TRYSTS.

6. Musician's sound booster: AMP.

7. Letter embellishment: SERIF.  A serif is a decorative stroke added to letters in traditional typefaces.  A modern font without serifs is "sans serif."

Sans serif on the left; serif on the right.

8. First-choice tactic: PLAN A.

9. Picnic pests: ANTS.

10. American Girl product: DOLL.

11. Gobbled down: ATE UP.

12. "Coming soon" ad: PROMO.

13. Evening news hr.: TEN PM.

19. London art gallery: TATE. The Tate Gallery opened with a single site in 1897 and now includes Tate Britain (in London), Tate Modern (also in London), Tate Liverpool, and Tate St Ives (Cornwall).

Staircases inside Tate Britain (on the left) and Tate Modern (on the right).

21. "Green" digit for a gardener: THUMB.

24. Sherlock's sister, per three Netflix films: ENOLA.  The character of Enola Holmes was created by American author Nancy Springer for her young adult novels, The Enola Holmes Mysteries.  When the first film was released in 2020, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle filed a lawsuit against Netflix for misrepresenting the character of Sherlock Holmes.  The lawsuit was dismissed since most of the Sherlock Holmes stories were already in the public domain, and the rest have entered the public domain since then.

Starring Millie Bobby Brown

28. Nov. honoree: VET.  Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11.

29. Spacious, in a way: AIRY.

30. 20s source: ATM.  You can get $20 bills at an Automated Teller Machine.

31. Language spoken in Vientiane: LAO.  Lao is the official language of Laos, of which Vientiane is the capital.

32. European peak: ALP.

33. Distort, as data: SKEW.

35. Chicago MLBer: CUB.  The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. 

How today's blogger really feels about the professional sports stuff.

36. Shish __: KEBAB.

38. Prefix with thermal: GEO.

39. Sci-fi computer villain: HAL.  From the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, who co-wrote the screenplay with Arthur C. Clarke, a noted science fiction author.  Here's a 54 second reminder.

40. Boxing ref's ruling, for short: TKO.  Technical Knockout.  A decision that one of the boxers can no longer safely continue the match.

42. Brouhaha: ADO.

43. Flies off the shelves: SELLS.

48. Orchestra woodwind: OBOE.

50. Bounded: LEAPED.

51. Analyze for purity: ASSAY.

52. Baseball bat wood: MAPLE.

53. Fishing basket: CREEL.  My father was a fly fisherman and carried a creel like this one:

If Daddy was going to keep a fish to eat it,
he killed it with a sharp blow to the head and popped it into the creel.

55. Audibly stunned: AGASP.  Killing creatures leaves me AGASP.  Hence, vegetarian.

56. Pizza Margherita herb: BASIL.

57. Avis rival: ALAMO.

58. React to a cringey faux pas: WINCE.

59. Emotion voiced by Lewis Black in the "Inside Out" films: ANGER.  Lewis Black does anger well.

Lewis Black

60. Positive responses: YESES.

62. Senior advocacy group: AARP.  American Association of Retired Persons.

63. Times Sq. sales booth: TKTS.  The TKTS Discount Booth in Times Square offers same-day and next-day matinee Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets at a discount.

66. Calendar divs.: YRS.  Calendars divisions are years.  Could have been wks or mos, but it wasn't.

Here's the grid:

Solvers,

Did you utter YESES out loud when reading the answers here today?

Or did you WINCE if you discovered you had gone awry?

YOLO.  Take a chance on sharing your reactions in the comments.

-- NaomiZ

Sunday July 12, 2026 Will Nediger & Beth Rubin

Theme: "OPPOSITE DAY" -  Each theme entry contains a pair of opposite words

26. Took unnecessary risks, in a British idiom: SAILED CLOSE TO THE WIND.

 
43. Backup for a proofreader, perhaps: ANOTHER PAIR OF EYES.

 

58. Grow increasingly recalcitrant: BECOME UNGOVERNABLE.

70. Suffer public humiliation: FALL FLAT ON ONE'S FACE.

85. 2010 animated film featuring Princess Fiona: SHREK FOREVER AFTER. And 115. 85-Across figure: OGRE.

Reveal:

100. Oxymoron, or what can be found five times in this puzzle: CONTRADICTION IN TERMS.

What a great follow-up to Paul Coulter's "Magnetism" puzzle. Paul's theme hid pairs of opposite words right next to each other (ON/OFF, HE/SHE, IN/OUT, etc.). Here, Will and Beth use the same basic concept but separate each pair, making the hunt a bit more challenging. 

This is Will and Beth's second collaboration for the LAT. Both are outstanding constructors. 

Across:

1. Option B precursor: PLAN A.

6. Creature in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland": DODO.

10. Winter resort rentals: SKIS.

14. Supermodel Kate: MOSS.

18. Old Renault: LE CAR.

19. Apple tablet: IPAD.

20. Penny: CENT.

21. Each: A POP.

22. Not suitable: UNAPT.

23. Mandala medium, often: SAND. Many Tibetan Buddhist mandalas are painstakingly created from colored sand before being ceremonially dismantled.

24. "__ you asked ... ": SINCE.

25. Count (on): RELY.

30. WNW opposite: ESE.

31. Love, in Italian: AMORE.

32. Asian language: LAO.

33. Handel oratorio: MESSIAH.

37. Former: PRIOR.

38. All excited: ATINGLE.

42. Ginger __: ALE.

46. Lightweight fabric: LINEN. And 120. Woolen cloth: TWEED. Much prefer Japanese crepe fabric. Non-wrinkly. 

48. Romance: WOO.

49. "C'est la __!": VIE.

50. Trolley car: TRAM.

51. Celebrity couple: ITEM.

52. Pres. on a dime: FDR.

53. Imrie of "The Thursday Murder Club": CELIA. English actress.

57. Square things: ATONE. Nice clue.

63. 2028 Olympics host: Abbr.: USA. 74. 2024 Olympics host: PARIS.

64. "The Fresh Prince of __-Air": BEL.

65. __ acid: AMINO.

66. Apology starter: MEA. As in "Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa".

67. Male swan: COB.

77. Newark's county: ESSEX.

78. Permit: LET.

79. Burden: ONUS.

80. Lasting mark: SCAR.

81. Org. nicknamed "No Such Agency": NSA.

83. Owns: HAS.

84. Nimble: AGILE.

92. Singer __ King Cole: NAT.

93. Game for little batters: TEE BALL.

94. Hazardous gas: RADON.

95. Goes on and on: YAMMERS.

97. Finish: END.

98. OB test: AMNIO.

99. Reuben sandwich bread: RYE. I've become a fan of the New York rye bread sold at our local Hy-Vee.

109. __ of paradise: BIRD.

110. Flared skirt style: A LINE.

111. Voting group: BLOC.

112. Inbox message: EMAIL.

113. Demolish: RAZE.

114. Ice sheet: FLOE.

116. Mother-of-pearl: NACRE.

117. Rude one: BOOR.

118. Throw out: TOSS.

119. "Easier __ than done": SAID.

Down:

1. "And also ... ": PLUS.

2. Singer and civil rights activist Horne: LENA.

3. Palm berry: ACAI.

4. City where pizza was invented: NAPLES.

5. __ well: ARTESIAN. Water reaches the surface naturally because of underground pressure.

6. Frisbee, e.g.: DISC.

7. Birthstone between sapphire and topaz: OPAL.

8. Paul who played twins in "There Will Be Blood": DANO.

9. "Most likely ... ": ODDS ARE.

10. Annabella of "Tulsa King": SCIORRA.

11. __ cloth: Ghanaian textile: KENTE. Kente comes from the Akan word kenten, meaning "basket," referring to its woven pattern.

12. Move slowly: INCH.

13. Digital protection device?: STEEL TOE. Clever clue.

14. Figure that comes with strings attached: MARIONETTE.

15. Accepting customers: OPEN.

16. "Deal!": SOLD.

17. Intel gatherer: SPY.

24. Small porch: STOOP.

27. Campus leader: DEAN.

28. Mideast leader: EMIR.

29. Urchin: WAIF.

33. Beach city near Pepperdine: MALIBU.

34. Powerful groups: ELITES.

35. __ Falls Convention: SENECA. The first women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls in 1848. Learning moment for me.

36. "What a bore": HOW DULL.

37. Soup often garnished with bean sprouts: PHO.

38. Nev. neighbor: ARI.

39. Wrap with tzatziki: GYRO.

40. Tilt: LEAN.

41. "Hanna" star Creed-Miles: ESME.

44. Having trouble deciding: TORN.

45. Physiologist Pavlov: IVAN.

47. Given to moping, maybe: EMO.

52. Sense: FEEL.

53. Unresponsive states: COMAS.

54. Party-planning site: E-VITE.

55. Massachusetts home of the Tanglewood Music Festival: LENOX.

56. Wrinkle remover: IRON.

57. Quaint word of despair: ALAS.

59. Many execs: MBAS.

60. Lasses: GALS.

61. Pardon: AMNESTY.

62. Vivid vegetable: BEET.

67. Pointy tooth: CANINE.

68. Eye-related: OCULAR.

69. Attacks from all sides: BESETS.

70. Figure who manipulates flames in a Nickelodeon fantasy series: FIREBENDER. Refers to "Avatar: The Last Airbender." In that universe, firebenders manipulate fire, one of the four classical elements.

71. Phobia: FEAR.

72. Villainous Count of kid-lit: OLAF.

73. Confused state: FOG.

74. Note-passer's utterance: PSST.

75. Head or heart follower: ACHE. I've been dealing with an awful RA flare-up and can't wait for my infusion next Wednesday.

76. Valuable to collectors: RARE.

81. Annual Player Selection Meeting, informally: NFL DRAFT.

82. Step on the scale?: SOL. Musical scale. Do–Re–Mi–Fa–Sol–La–Ti–Do.

83. Largest Chinese ethnic group: HAN. I'm one. 

84. Military encampment unit: ARMY TENT.

86. Philosopher Immanuel: KANT.

87. Winter stoats: ERMINES.

88. "Lovecraft Country" actor Courtney B. __: VANCE. Married to Angela Bassett.

89. Revise: EDIT.

90. Reddish-brown tea: ROOIBOS. Naturally caffeine-free.

91. Work hard for: EARN.

96. Grandma, to some: MEEMAW.

98. "Farewell, amigos!": ADIOS. And  100. "Farewell, amici!": CIAO.

101. Ricelike pasta: ORZO.

102. French greeting: ALLO.

103. Tokarczuk who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature: OLGA.

104. Onigiri wrapper: NORI.

105. Like cupcakes but not muffins, usually: ICED.

106. Compete against the clock: RACE.

107. Slimy mud: MIRE.

108. Toboggan, e.g.: SLED.

109. Texter's "Just a moment": BRB. Be Right Back.

C.C.

Saturday, July 11, 2026, Rafael Musa

 Saturday Themeless by Rafael Musa

Rafa, a software engineer for Airbnb in San Francisco. is a frequent constructor and collaborator. I started out looking for an on ramp and found several in the west columns and before I knew it, the entire west side was done. From ther, I was able to get up to speed and his lovely puzzle was done. I'll comment on some of Rafa's more clever entries as I blog. 

Across

1. Bernardine Evaristo's "Girl, Woman, __": OTHER - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Published in 2019, exploring identity, race, class, sexuality, and the history of modern Britain across multiple generations.

     

6. Selfish kinds: HOGS.

10. "Get lost!": SCAT.

14. "Fingers crossed!": I HOPE SO TOO.

16. Not one __: IOTA.

17. Where classes proceed on a case-by-case basis: LAW SCHOOLS 😀

18. "Oh, fudge": RATS.

19. Strong showing from 2012 to 2022, for short?: SNL - 😀 Capitalizing strong as the first word of the clue did not give away that it was a name.

Cicely Strong

20. Hole up: HIDEOUT.

22. Hissed admonishment: SHH.

23. Aired: RAN.

24. Southern brew: SWEET TEA.

26. Revenue metric: AD SALES - This ad, thought to be one of the best ever, announced the release of MacIntosh computers. It aired during the 1984 Super Bowl and generated huge initial sales. This entire 1984 ad

30. Matters of course?: MEALS 😀

31. Area most people can't stand to be in: CRAWL SPACE - Yeesh!

34. Handy accessory?: MITT 😀 - Early baseball players were considered to be "unmanly" if they wore a glove or mitt. Modern players now wear fielding, batting and sliding gloves.

36. Cares for: TENDS.

37. Foofaraw: ADO ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

38. Island west of Maui: LANAI.

39. "Smooth Operator" singer: SADE.

40. Ding, maybe: E-MAIL ALERT 😀

42. Exams that begin with a Chemical and Physical Foundations section, for short: MCATS - My grandson passed his with flying colors but his roommate failed twice.

44. Ends up behind: LOSES TO.

45. Fried Mexican dishes: CHALUPAS.

48. "Yellowstone" star Bentley: WES ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

49. Todos __ días: every day, in Spanish: LOS - Hago el crucigrama todos LOS días. (I work the crossword everyday.)

50. Rep who is also the parent of a child star, perhaps: MOMAGER - Rosalind Russell played one of the first ones in this wonderful movie.

52. __ Fridays: TGI.

55. Lincoln, e.g.: AUTO - Here's the Lincoln Lawyer in one. One story arc concerned a dead body found in the trunk of that Lincoln.

57. Major annoyances: ROYAL PAINS.

59. Puerto Rico, por ejemplo: ISLA.

60. Defend aggressively: TRIPLE TEAM.

Steph Curry getting TRIPLE TEAMED

61. Convene: MEET.

62. Solidifies: SETS.

63. Creates a cozy home: NESTS.

Down:

1. Works in a museum: OILS - Our wonderful puzzle constructor Jeffrey Wechsler was an art curator who worked in a museum curating works therein. 

2. Comparison word: THAN - A beautiful Peruvian folk melody with lyrics by Paul Simon. Enjoy!

3. React to a riot, maybe: HOWL - A great comedian can make you do this

4. Short releases: EPS - Elvis made several with four songs on each.

5. Pool areas?: REC HALLS 😀

6. Under the __: HOOD.

7. Missouri River people: OTOES.

8. Play dirty: GO LOW - There are penalties in football for blocking below the waist 

9. "What are you gonna do about it?": SO SUE ME. 😀

10. Title for David Attenborough: SIR.

11. Areas affected by current events: COASTLINES.😀

12. Initially: AT THE START.

13. Gospel singer Cobbs: TASHA. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

15. Lights up: SHINES.

21. Top choice: TEE - Many of my tops are TEE shirts with the NASA meatball on them

23. Short end of the stick: RAW DEAL.

25. Traditional Christmas fare for some Latinos: TAMALES.

26. Panto units: ACTS - Panto is short for pantomime 

27. Three-story abode in Barbie pink: DREAM HOUSE.

28. Structure affected by current events: SAND CASTLE 😀

29. Musubi meat: SPAM - A Hawaiian snack. It revealed itself.

32. Statute mandating curb cuts, for short: ADA.

33. Feature of type 4 hair: COIL - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

35. Bandleader Puente: TITO.

38. Pocket-size pointer: LASER PEN - I used mine a lot in my "lectures"

40. Field for a competitive Valorant player: E-SPORTS.

41. Former mill town in the Boston metro area: LOWELL.

43. Belly: TUM.

45. Progressive request: CLAIM 😀

46. Subject for Elena Ferrante: AMORE - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ A pseudonym for an Italian author who prefers anonymity

  

47. "Stop beating around the bush!": SAY IT.

51. Concerns for some orthodontists: GAPS.

52. Connections: TIES.

53. Minor annoyance: GNAT.

54. Belief systems: ISMS.

56. __ latte: OAT.

58. Put away: ATE.

Notes from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to CanadianEh!, one of our longtime blog family members. She's been with us since 2012. I hope your day is filled with fun, laughter, and all your favorite things. Thank you for the kindness, insight, and thoughtful contributions you've shared with us over the years!