February 13, 2026

Title: MESS UP

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

• BUSINESS EMPIRE (3D: Conglomerate built by a mogul)
• JESSE MCCARTNEY (13D: "Beautiful Soul" singer)
• MASS EMAIL (21D: Message with many recipients)

MESS UP: Each vertical theme answer contains the letter string S-S-E-M, which is the word MESS reading UP: BUSINESS EMPIRE, JESSE MCCARTNEY, and MASS EMAIL.

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• RESOURCE (29A: The "R" of URL) When I read this clue, I thought, "I don't think I know this ... even though it feels like something I ought to know." Now I know that URL stands for "uniform RESOURCE locator."
• OLE (64A: Shout for a bailaora) A bailaora is a flamenco dancer. OLE!
• MARC (1D: "Stick" actor Maron) Stick is a TV series that premiered last year. Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, aka "the Stick," a former professional golfer. MARC Maron portrays Pryce's friend and former caddy.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• ARUGULA (10A: Salad green that Brits call "rocket") The words "ARUGULA" and "rocket" both derive from the original Latin name of this slightly spicy salad green, "eruca."
• TORPEDO (17A: Hero, by another name) We're talking sandwiches here. Hero and torpedo are alternative names for a sub sandwich.
• NATO (23A: Org. with a phonetic alphabet) The NATO Phonetic Alphabet is a widely used radiotelephone spelling alphabet. It begins with Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo.
• RAMEKIN (38A: Dish for single-serving desserts) In my opinion, serving dessert in a RAMEKIN makes even the simplest of desserts appear extra fancy.
• OREGON (41A: State known for Tillamook cheese) The Tillamook County Creamery Association is a farmer-owned dairy coop in Tillamook County, OREGON. In addition to cheese, the Tillamook Creamery also produces ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, and butter. I've had Tillamook cheese and ice cream, and both were delicious. 
• NUT (65A: Karuka or cashew, e.g.) The karuka NUT comes from a tree that grows in New Guinea. Karuka NUTs are a major food source for people in New Guinea. Cashew NUTs are native to South America, but are now grown globally. The great thing about a clue that gives two examples is that solvers only need to be familiar with one of them to be successful.
• OREO (2D: Cookie first produced in Chelsea) It's true. The OREO was first produced by the National Biscuit Company (now named Nabisco) at its factory in Chelsea, New York City. That was in 1912. The OREO was produced as an imitation of the Sunshine company's Hydrox cookie. Our crossword friend OREO is making its first February appearance today.
• LATINO (7D: Like around 70% of Miami residents) It's majority LATINO population has earned Miami, Florida the nickname "Capital of Latin America." The Miami metropolitan area is the second-most-visited city in the U.S., after New York City.
• JESSE MCCARTNEY (13D: "Beautiful Soul" singer) "Beautiful Soul" is the title track of JESSE MCCARTNEY's 2004 debut album. "I don't want another pretty face / I don't want just anyone to hold / I don't want my love to go to waste / I want you and your beautiful soul." 
• KIM (39D: Snowboarding great Chloe) Chloe KIM is a snowboarder. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, when she was 17 years old, she won a gold medal in women's snowboard halfpipe. She repeated that accomplishment at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Was she able to win a third gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics? (As I am writing this, she hasn't competed yet. But as you are reading this, she has.) 
• PEONY (47D: Flower symbolizing wealth and honor in China) The PEONY has been cultivated in China since its early history. During the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE), peonies were cultivated in imperial gardens. It came to be known as the "king of flowers."
• MOJO (48D: Garlicky Cuban sauce) Cuban MOJO sauce is made of garlic, olive oil, and a citrus juice - usually orange juice.
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
• MIND GAME (45A: Psychological trick)
• YES (69A: Likely response to "Do you want to watch the Olympics?")
• IDOL (14D: Olympic athlete with a fan page, e.g.)

The title of today's puzzle let me know exactly what to expect theme-wise. The word UP alerted me to look for the theme in the Down answers. I was on the lookout for the word MESS as I solved, and I found it going UP, just as I expected. Very smooth. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this enjoyable puzzle.