July 10, 2026

Title: FOREVER VIBES (Freestyle)

Constructor: Elijah Acquah

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

FOREVER VIBES (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to AREN'T YOU A KEEPER (33A: "Wow, this relationship is really worth holding on to!").

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• OCEAN (17A; "But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm / If your cascade, ___ wave blues come") "Peace" is a song from Taylor Swift's 2020 album, Folklore. The song includes the lyrics "But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm / If your cascade, OCEAN wave blues come."
• SPACE STATIONS (26A: Homes with stellar views?) The views from SPACE STATIONS are literally stellar, looking out at the stars. 
• REPOT (31A: Transplant, like a plant) This is the crossword nudging me, because I really need to REPOT some of my plants.
• CHARD (47A: "Swiss" vegetable) The quotation marks around the word "Swiss" in the clue indicate the word can be directly paired with the answer. Swiss CHARD is a leafy green vegetable.
• ACES (3D: Three-time WNBA champs) The Las Vegas ACES were WNBA champs in 2022, 2023, and 2025. The team was established in 1997, but all three championships have been won since they moved to Las Vegas and became the ACES in 2018. Prior to that the team was known as the Utah Stars (1997-2002), the San Antonio Silver Stars (2003-2013), and the San Antonio Stars (2014-2017).
• SON (5D: "Carry On Wayward ___") "Carry On Wayward SON" is a 1976 song by the rock band Kansas. "Carry on my wayward SON / There'll be peace when you are done / Lay your weary head to rest / Don't you cry no more." Classic.
• MUPPET (6D: Miss Piggy or Fozzie Bear, e.g.) I'm always delighted to see a MUPPET in my puzzle. 
• DOTS (13D: Dippin' ___) Dippin' DOTS are created by flash freezing ice cream mix in liquid nitrogen. The result is essentially ice cream pellets. Because Dippin' DOTS need to be stored at -40 ℉, they are not widely available. This answer reminds me of my mom, who is a huge Dippin' DOTS fan.
• CONSERVE FUEL (22D: Drive in eco mode, perhaps) Eco mode is a vehicle setting that prioritizes FUEL or battery efficiency over performance. Using this mode, therefore, will CONSERVE FUEL. Eco mode works best on highways and when traveling at steady speeds.
• EON (37D: It's giving forever) It's fun that EON is crossing AREN'T YOU A KEEPER.
• DANCER (41D: "You know Dasher and ___ and Prancer and Vixen") Well, now I'm singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" – perfect for a hot July day! "But do you recall / the most famous reindeer of all?"
• HALO (48D: Xbox game franchise whose theme music features a Gregorian chant) HALO is a franchise of military science fiction video games, the first of which was released in 2001. The soundtrack for HALO games was composed and produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori. As the clue informs us, the soundtrack includes Gregorian chant, as well as string orchestra and percussion.
• GAS (54D: Laughing matter?) GAS is a form of matter. "Laughing GAS" is a common name for nitrous oxide, which produces euphoric effects when inhaled.
• Other clues and answers I especially enjoyed:
• WHAT A CONCEPT (4D: "Yea, that idea TOTALLY hasn't been done before!")
• I NEED A HUGE FAVOR (7D: "Can you do me this one thing for me?) 
• ONUS (51D: "The ___ is on us" (punny way to say "We're responsible"))

There are a ton of lively answers in this grid. I didn't mention DEEP SEA DIVING (41A: Underwater exploration) yet, but I just noticed it is symmetrically paired with SPACE STATIONS, and that's a really nice pairing of opposites. Congratulations to Elijah Acquah making a USA Today crossword debut! Thank you, Elijah, for this enjoyable puzzle.

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