Author: by Zhouqin Burnikel
Across
| Puerto ___ |
RICO |
| Places where Cubans hang out? |
CIGARBARS |
| Prayer leader on the minbar |
IMAM |
| Response to an affectionate signoff |
LOVEYOUTOO |
| Mother horse |
MARE |
| Newspaper figure who works with pundits |
OPEDEDITOR |
| Waterbird with a long neck |
SWAN |
| Dream sleep initials |
REM |
| Pool table rock |
SLATE |
| Meat in a Monte Cristo sandwich |
HAM |
| Take out for security reasons |
REDACT |
| Best-selling Canadian artist Celine |
DION |
| Its state animal is beaver |
OREGON |
| Female koala |
DOE |
| Vegan butter source |
NUT |
| Spills the beans |
TELLS |
| “A ___ coincidence!” |
MERE |
| Regarding |
ASTO |
| Blew away |
ASTOUNDED |
| Raised, as livestock |
BRED |
| Bandstand volume boosters |
AMPS |
| Rubbernecks |
GAWKS |
| Have a bug |
AIL |
| Cindy Crawford, to Kaia Gerber |
MOM |
| Change positions often |
JOBHOP |
| Challenge for a jr. |
PSAT |
| Bad news for an employee |
PAYCUT |
| It might be crude |
OIL |
| Subject matter |
TOPIC |
| Actress Gretchen whose surname appears in “etymology” |
MOL |
| Tribe in northeastern Arizona |
HOPI |
| “That belongs to someone else” |
ITSNOTMINE |
| Well versed in |
UPON |
| Caribbean music ensembles |
STEELBANDS |
| Email or text status |
SENT |
| Throw away |
TOSSASIDE |
| Sneaker brand featured in “Dirty Dancing” |
KEDS |
Down
| Drum sound after a one-liner |
RIMSHOT |
| “Not a surprise to me” |
IMAWARE |
| Upper part of the Milky Way? |
CARAMEL |
| Blood moon, to some |
OMEN |
| Handled hardship |
COPED |
| Statement after some deliberation |
IVEMADEUPMYMIND |
| HS diploma substitute |
GED |
| Positive vote |
AYE |
| Curtain supports |
RODS |
| Play with Lego bricks |
BUILD |
| Reaches, as a goal |
ATTAINS |
| Eradicate |
ROOTOUT |
| Kia SUV |
SORENTO |
| TikTok star Gray |
LOREN |
| “Dress for Less” clothing chain |
ROSS |
| Toe woes |
CORNS |
| ___ off (miffed) |
TEED |
| Happy |
GLAD |
| “Slumberland” star Jason |
MOMOA |
| Tiny amount of gel |
ADAB |
| ___ down (pack firmly) |
TAMP |
| Award quartet for Jennifer Hudson |
EGOT |
| Protestant denomination |
BAPTIST |
| Creamy Italian dish made with arborio |
RISOTTO |
| Ticks away |
ELAPSES |
| Exuberant shout |
WHOOPEE |
| Water feature in a certain Japanese garden |
KOIPOND |
| Broken fingers’ supports |
SPLINTS |
| Verne who’s the most translated French author |
JULES |
| Pitchfork parts |
TINES |
| ___ Nast Traveler |
CONDE |
| Fizzy brown beverage |
COLA |
| Ear covering? |
HUSK |
| “Rat in the Kitchen” network |
TBS |
| ___ tai |
MAI |
