Performance Improvement Plans

Constructed by Katja Brinck with the free crossword builder from Amuse Labs

The idea for this puzzle all started Friday night at the 2026 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Friday night kicks off with the opportunity to solve some different puzzles, such as a spiral, cryptic, or a split decisions. I was sitting with some crossword friends, and when the puzzles were being passed out, a particular member of the NYT Games Team was passing puzzles out in my row...and I exclaimed "hey - it's the guy with the Pips!" (IYKYK.) He laughed, as did my seat mate Matt Luter. And I don't quite remember how the conversation continued, but Matt and I then laughed when we realized there was another Pips connection, and when this turned out to be a symmetric, the puzzle had to be made.

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A Crossword Mini-festo

For those who are sad about the NYT mini going behind a paywall, never fear there are lots of other crossword options out there for you - including this multi-mini-fest for your solving pleasure. Thank you to my husband Matt for being my test solver! And for even more puzzles, don't forget to check out https://dailycrosswordlinks.com/ ! Constructed by Katja Brinck using the free crossword puzzle generator from Amuse Labs

It's the Winter O-lympics

My favorite sporting event ever will always be the Winter Olympics. As a former ski racer myself...I live vicariously through all the winter sports. I never of course made it to that level, but I still loved it so much. Ski racing taught me so much about training hard, facing fears, going out of your comfort zone, and then believing in the foundation on race day. Mikaela Shiffrin absolutely crushed the slalom today, proving that there's no victory like one from a comeback. Today I made a puzzle inspired by the Olympic rings...this should hopefully be a smooth and easy solve. (I apologize in advance for any *almost* duplicates - that's what happens when there are a lot of Os in the puzzle. 😬) Made by Katja Brinck with the free crossword puzzle generator from Amuse Labs

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