The LA Times Crossword challenges puzzle lovers every day with clever clues and fun themes. If you’re stuck on today’s January 23, 2026 puzzle, don’t worry! Below, you’ll find helpful hints and answers for both across and down clues to guide you to the solution quickly and easily. Whether you’re new or a seasoned solver, these tips will keep your momentum going. Remember, our hints are designed to help without spoiling the whole puzzle.

Across

1A (Word on some birth announcements): ITSA

5A (Bowlers, e.g.): HATS

9A (Storage box): CHEST

14D (French friend): AMIE

15A (Bread maker): OVEN

16A (Video counterpart): AUDIO

17A (Uneven do): SHAG

18A (Mallet game): POLO

19A (Ballon d’Or Féminin winner): MEGAN

20A (Add to one’s ear piercings?): HEAR MORE (Pun on more piercings)

23A (Onetime owner of Virgin Records): EMI

24A (Michael of Monty Python): PALIN

25A (Seed cases): PODS

27A (“Feeling of posting a vlog!”): YOUTUBE HIGH (Pun on “runner’s high”)

33A (Brew made from petals): ROSE TEA

35A (Kitchen gadget): CORER

36A (Gives a hand): ABETS

37A (Body shop fig.): EST

39A (“The King and I” role): ANNA

40A (Uses a Brillo pad on): SCOURS

43A (Meditation spot): ASHRAM

46A (Trio trying to sneak past the guard at a sauna?): THREE MEN AND A BABE (Pun on the movie Three Men and a Baby)

48A (Location): SITE

49A (Evasive maneuver): DODGE

52A (Dejected): SAD

55A (“Get your own die, pal!”): NOT ON MY WATCH (Pun on “watch” as in a game piece or timekeeper)

59A (Words to live by): MOTTO

61A (Home overhaul, informally): RENO

62A (Iranian money): RIAL

63A (Amazon assistant): ALEXA

64A (Small fastener): BRAD

65A (Utah home of Sugarloaf Mountain): ALTA

66A (Back, as a racehorse): BET ON

67A ( “Holy moly!”): GOSH

68A (Existed): WERE

Down

1D (Nasty cut): GASH

2D (“Ya dig?” reply): IAME (Wait, I CAN)

3D (Rodeo rope): TIED

4D (Motivation for seeking counsel): LEGAL AID

5D (“Heaven forbid!”): HOPE NOT

6D (Assert): AVOW

7D (Disclose): TELL

8D (Comics canine): SNOOPY

9D (Required remittance): CAMP FEE (Wait, COPAY) — Correction: CHURCH TAX? No, it’s CLAIM.

10D (Peach or plum): HUED (Wait, DRUPE)

11D (Border): EDGE

12D (“The King and I” setting): SIAM

13D (Actress Collette): TONI

21D (The Aswan High Dam’s river): NILE

22D (Snout-touching sound): OINK

26D (Dish that turns from blue to orange): LOBSTER

28D (Two-finger sign): V-SIGN

29D (Gut course): EASY A

30D (Arm bone): ULNA

31D (Out of shape): BENT

32D (Timeline stretch): ERA

33D (Sumptuous): RICH

34D (Fragrance): ODOR

36D (Winter hrs. in Halifax): AST (Atlantic Standard Time)

38D (Craggy hill): TOR

41D (Surname of “Ghostbusters” directors): REITMAN (Ivan and Jason)

42D (Enemy of the Jedi): SITH

44D (Period of invincibility in video games): GOD MODE

45D (“About __”): A BOY

47D (Within earshot): NEARBY

50D (Skillful deceit): GUIIE (Wait, GUILE)

51D (Online cash-back offer): E-BATE (Wait, REBATE)

52D (Automaker): SAAB

53D (Wagon part): AXLE

54D (Lose on purpose?): DIET

56D (Actress Hatcher): TERI

57D (Pic): SNAP

58D (Joie de vivre): ZEAL

60D (Ergonomic brand): OXO

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