The clue "CEO's degree, possibly" involves wordplay indicated by the question mark. Many CEOs hold an MBA (Master of Business Administration), which equips them with leadership and business skills. "Possibly" acknowledges that not all CEOs have this degree, making MBA a plausible but not definitive answer.
4SAUL????✨ See Why
The answer is SAUL because Saul Bellow was a Nobel Prize-winning author known for works like "Herzog." The clue directly references his full name and his connection to the acclaimed novel, making SAUL the correct and straightforward solution.
5NORTH?????✨ See Why
The North Pole is Santa Claus's home, so "homeward" to Santa means heading back to the North Pole. The use of "North" represents this direction and location, making it the correct answer. The clue plays on Santa's iconic association with the North Pole.
7OREOS?????✨ See Why
The clue uses quotation marks, suggesting wordplay. OREOS are a type of cookie designed like a “sandwich,” with a creamy filling between two chocolate wafers. As OREOS are a well-known dessert, the playful description fits perfectly.
8INST????✨ See Why
The phrase “Meet Me in St. Louis” is a well-known reference to the classic 1944 musical film and song of the same name. "INST" abbreviates "in St." (a shorthand form of "in St. Louis"), fitting perfectly into the blank in the clue.
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1MAORI?????✨ See Why
The answer "MAORI" fits because the Māori people are the indigenous Polynesian population of New Zealand. The clue "Native New Zealander" directly refers to the native inhabitants of the country, making "MAORI" the correct solution.
2BUREN?????✨ See Why
The answer is "BUREN" because Abigail Van Buren is the pen name of Pauline Phillips, who famously wrote the advice column "Dear Abby." The clue refers to this pseudonym, where "Abigail Van Buren" is synonymous with the columnist herself.
3ALTOS?????✨ See Why
The clue "Choir members" refers to voice parts within a choir. ALTOS are one of the key vocal sections, typically singing in a mid-range between sopranos (higher) and tenors (lower). Choirs commonly have sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, making ALTOS a correct answer.
4SNO???✨ See Why
The answer "SNO" completes the phrase "SNO-Cat," which refers to a brand of tracked vehicles designed for use in snowy and arctic conditions. The prefix "SNO" is a play on "snow," aligning with the clue's focus on an arctic vehicle.
6HST???✨ See Why
The solution "HST" refers to Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, who was born in Lamar, Missouri. "POTUS" stands for "President of the United States," and HST are Truman's initials, making him the Missouri-born POTUS in question.
Stuck on today’s LA Times Mini? Lady Puzzle’s here to help! Use the interactive grid to flip question marks and reveal letters one by one, check any clue in the list below, or uncover the whole puzzle at once. Plus, get explanations for why each answer works. Here is your go-to tool for solving the LA Times Mini (a free alternative to the now paid NYT Mini)!
Today’s LA Times Mini leans heavily on names and abbreviations, giving it more of a trivia feel than a wordplay one. Literary and historical knowledge come into play with the Nobel-winning author and the Missouri-born president, while an older pop-culture reference to a famous advice columnist adds another challenge. A couple of short, themed fills provide lighter balance, keeping the grid accessible overall. It’s a clean midweek puzzle that rewards solvers who remember details across eras and subjects.
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The LA Times Mini Crossword is a daily, bite-sized puzzle from the Los Angeles Times. Designed for quick solving, it delivers the fun of a full crossword in a compact format that takes just a few minutes to complete. The puzzle is edited by Elizabeth C. Gorski, a veteran crossword constructor and editor who has also created puzzles for The New York Times and Zynga.
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