Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · 2d

We're excited to bring you a 12x12 puzzle from Lil AVCX editor Brian Callahan (@oliogrids.bsky.social) called "Just One Away from a Bingo." We think you'll find it fresh, playful, and full of Brian's signature pop culture and sports clues!

Crossword puzzle with 7-Across highlighted: [Apt car rental company to use when visiting San Antonio]

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · 3d

The Lil AVCX roster has been making puzzles at a frenetic pace, so we decided to give them a bit of a break. In October, our 2025 editors will each contribute a puzzle. We kick off "Editor October" with a smooth-sailing 10x10 puzzle from Sally Hoelscher (@sallyhoelscher.bsky.social): "No Filter"

Crossword puzzle with 20-Across highlighted: [Tiny taste of Twinings tea]

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · 10d

Tonight, roster member Carina da Rosa (@carinadarosa.bsky.social) invites you along on a romantic adventure. This breezy 13x10 puzzle is titled "Change of Scenery." Whichever solving format you choose, we invite you to take a peek at the PDF for a little added visual interest.

Crossword puzzle with 6-Down highlighted: [Yarn bundles (I’m always open to knitting pattern suggestions, just saying…)]

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · 17d

Today we bring you another potentially perplexing performance of puzzling proficiency via this piece of prestidigitation, an 11x10 themeless midi by Katie Hoody titled—poof! presto-changeo!—"Something from Nothing." Voila!

Crossword puzzle with 21-Down highlighted: [Give into pressure to go spelunking, say]

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · 23d

We're excited to bring you a 13x9 puzzle from roster member Alisya Reza (@alisyareza.bsky.social) called "blondes have more fun." We think you'll find it breezy, cheeky, and fun!!

Crossword puzzle with 6-Down highlighted: [Cheese closely related to chhena] (6 letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · 24d

We're excited to bring you another installment from roster member Ben Wilson (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social). It's a clever 11x11 puzzle entitled "Astaire-case," where you'll find no shortage of Ben's signature punniness.

Crossword puzzle with 2-Down highlighted: [Upwardly mobile head-turner?]

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Sep 8

Today we're bringing you a breezy 12x9 midi from guest constructor Jess Rucks (@jessbevrucks.bsky.social). It's called "You Can Say That Again!" We think you'll find it to be playful and entertaining.

Crossword puzzle with 11-Down highlighted: [ "OMG, me toooo!"]

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Reposted by Lil AVCX

AVCX Classic @avcx.bsky.social · Sep 2

Last winter, AVCX ran a subscription drive to continue funding our expanded puzzle offerings. It worked great! We won’t need to do anything at that scale this year.

But we will run a mini-drive this fall to keep the old budget stable. So if you like what we do, please spread the word!

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Sep 2

Today we're bringing you a huge helping of nostalgia that fits in the palm of your hand. Roster member K.J. Sarr's 13x13 puzzle titled "Pocket Dimension" should be a snap of a solve, and oodles of retro fun. Don't miss checking out the PDF!

Crossword puzzle with 31-Down highlighted: [Vends vintage toys on eBay, say] (5 letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Sep 1

We're excited to bring you a 10x11 midi from roster member Alex Rossell Hayes (@alxrh.bsky.social) titled "Counter Arguments." We expect this to be a relatively breezy solve, and before you know it, you'll be shouting "That's a wrap!"

Crossword puzzle with 29 Across highlighted: [Atmospheric layer protected by the Montreal protocol] (5 letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Aug 31

Congrats to Lil member @carinadarosa.bsky.social! We eagerly await solving her puzzle! (And all the rest!)

John Lieb @boswords.bsky.social · Aug 30

Registration is now open for the Boswords 2025 Fall Themeless League! Go to boswords.org for details and to register. Also, a new practice puzzle is available to solve.

We're excited to bring you puzzles from this fabulous group ... come solve with us this fall!

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Aug 25

Today's puzzle comes to us from roster member Terry Sun. It's an 11x11 entitled "Chosen Family" and we think it'll be a fun solve that'll leave you feeling proud to be an AVCX subscriber.

Crossword puzzle with 27-Across highlighted: [Freedoms that ultimately benefit people of all gender identities] (11 letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Aug 18

Put on your dancing shoes! Tonight we have an 11x12 puzzle by roster member Carina da Rosa (@carinadarosa.bsky.social) called "Sorry, Patrick Swayze, But I Put Baby in the Corner."

Crossword puzzle with 1-Down highlighted: [If this Jewish
deli bread were a game of Bop It, you might: Roll it! Fill it! Twist it! Braid it!] (5 letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Aug 12

Malaika also had an amazing themeless at Lollapuzzoola this past weekend. You can get that puzzle (and some other great ones) here: bemoresmarter.com/lo...

Lollapuzzoola 18 (2025)

Lollapuzzoola 18 happened on Saturday, August 9, 2025 (that was a Saturday in August), in New York City. And without a doubt, it was one of the most dramatically exciting tournaments we’ve ever had…

bemoresmarter.com

Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Aug 12

Please give a big Lil AVCX welcome to Malaika Handa (@malaika-h.bsky.social‬)! This 11x11 midi is titled "Make a wish!" and we think you'll find it a lively, moderately challenging solve. You don't want to miss this gem!

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Aug 11

We've got a 10x10 puzzle for you today from Katie Hoody, titled "Girl Power Forever," that's technically a themeless, but you'll notice some conceptual throughlines connecting some clues—not to mention some zippy long entries.

Crossword puzzle with 1-Across highlighted: [Minnesota ___ (2025 Professional Women's Hockey League champions)] (five letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Aug 6

Hey look, it's Lil member Katie and Lil graduates Lydia and Christina! Congratulations!!!

Midwest Crossword Tournament @midwestcrossword.bsky.social · Aug 6

We're beyond thrilled to present puzzles by this fantastic set of constructors at the second Midwest Crossword Tournament, October 4, 2025 in Chicago! Read more about them and register now at midwestgridfest.com

2025 Midwest Crossword Tournament constructors: Evan Birnholz, Kyle Dolan, Katie Hoody, Lydia Roth & Christina Bodensiek, Hemant Mehta, Taylor Johnson

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Reposted by Lil AVCX

Midwest Crossword Tournament @midwestcrossword.bsky.social · Aug 6

We're beyond thrilled to present puzzles by this fantastic set of constructors at the second Midwest Crossword Tournament, October 4, 2025 in Chicago! Read more about them and register now at midwestgridfest.com

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Aug 4

We predict that you will get much enjoyment from Ben Wilson's (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social‬) newest 11x11 puzzle, titled "These Books Are Worth a Fortune," in which Ben has embedded some sneaky extras for keen-eyed solvers.

Crossword puzzle with 22-down highlighted: [Musical instrument responsible for the phrase "pull out all the stops"] (five letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Jul 28

Today's puzzle is a 13x10 puzzle from guest constructor Pao Roy entitled "Leading Questions." We think you'll find it more challenging than the average Lil AVCX puzzle, but don't worry, you got this. Any questions?

Crossword puzzle with 8-Across highlighted: [Where hot celebrities may be prone to meltdowns?]

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Jul 21

We hear midi puzzles are all the rage lately, if you'd like a backlog of hundreds, consider subscribing to AVCX! avxwords.com

AVCX – Crosswords for the (not) faint of heart.

avxwords.com

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Jul 21

We're thrilled to bring you today's puzzle: a 10x10 midi from Alex Rossell Hayes (‪@alxrh.bsky.social‬) titled "On Your Marks." Fair warning: some of the clues might be a bit challenging. If you hit a dead end, we encourage you to embrace the stress. You'll get there!

Crossword puzzle with 10-Down highlighted: [Where you might find G-Men ... or G-strings] (six letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Jul 15

Kick off your flip-flops and grab a pencil—we're bringing you a breezy 10x13 puzzle by K.J. Sarr titled "Meet me at the beach?" that's 'shore' to brighten your day! (we couldn't resist the pun, sorry not sorry)

Crossword puzzle with 7-Down highlighted: [Floor covering for a fairy house, perhaps] (four letters)

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Jul 14

Tonight's puzzle is a 10x13 from roster member Terry Sun, entitled "A Trip to the Zoo." We think you'll find it exciting but friendly, with some unexpected moments.

Crossword puzzle with 3-Down highlighted: ["Congrats on surviving another year!", for short]

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Lil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · Jul 13

What makes a crossword stick in your head so you can't forget it?