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  • Crossword Blog & Answers for March 7, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

    Crossword Blog & Answers for March 7, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher

    There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! Broken Bats

    Constructor: Stella Zawistowski

    Editor: Amanda Rafkin

    What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

    • TBS (27A: “American Dad!” network) American Dad! is an animated sitcom which premiered on Fox in 2005. The TV show moved to TBS in 2014 for its 12th season. The 21st season of American Dad! premiered on TBS in October 2024. The show centers on an eccentric upper middle class family – the Smiths – who live in a fictionalized version of Langley, Virginia. Stan Smith is the title character, who is a right-wing CIA agent.
    • BRA (55A: Cosabella product) Cosabella is an Italian luxury lingerie brand founded in 1983 by Valerie Campello. This brand is new to me.

    Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

    • SHOE (16A: Flip-flop or flat) Lovely alliteration here: Flip-flop or flat.
    • MIAMI (17A: City in “The Birdcage” and “The Golden Girls”) The Birdcage is a 1996 movie adapted from a 1978 French movie, La Cage aux Folles (which was, in turn, adapted from a 1973 play). The movie is set in the South Beach neighborhood of MIAMI. The Golden Girls (1985-1992), the TV sitcom about four older women who are roommates, is also set in MIAMI, Florida.
    • SLIME (32A: Glue-and-contact-solution concoction) SLIME is a non-Newtonian compound, which means it doesn’t behave like a solid or a liquid. You can pick it up like a solid, but it oozes like a liquid. SLIME can be made at home using glue, baking soda, and contact solution.
    • BAHA’I (37A: Religion that originated in Iran) The BAHÁ’Í faith was established in the 1800s by Bahá’u’lláh, its prophet-founder who lived in Iran. The religion emphasizes the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. 
    • BAD FEMINIST (56A: 2014 essay collection by Roxane Gay) Roxane Gay is an author, social commentator, and professor. She is currently the Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair in Media, Culture and FEMINIST Studies at Rutgers University. She is also a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times. BAD FEMINIST is Roxane Gay’s 2014 best-selling collection of essays, which explores what it means to be a FEMINIST while loving things that seem at odds with feminism.
    • NACHO (66A: “What do you call cheese that’s not yours? ___ cheese!”) I am here for all the clues containing cheesy jokes!
    • ATTA (70A: Chapati flour) ATTA is a type of wholemeal wheat flour that is often used to make flatbreads such as chapati, roti, and naan. Because of the high gluten content of ATTA flour, dough made with it is strong and elastic, and can be rolled into thin sheets.
    • SAMBA (4D: Dance with lots of hip action) SAMBA is a dance that originated in the Afro-Brazilian communities of Rio de Janeiro. SAMBA is characterized by fast, rhythmic footwork and rolling hip movements.
    • AAVE (6D: Dialect in the Black community) I wrote about AAVE when we saw it a few days ago.
    • SERIAL (8D: Sarah Koenig’s investigative journalism podcast)  SERIAL is an investigative journalism podcast that narrates a nonfiction story over several episodes. Sarah Koenig hosts SERIAL, which first aired in 2014. The fourth season of SERIAL aired last year. It focused on the history of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
    • CHEESEHEAD (10D: Fan of the Green Bay Packers) CHEESEHEAD is a nickname used for Wisconsin residents. The nickname refers to Wisconsin’s abundant cheese production. It’s said that CHEESEHEAD was first used as an insult, but residents decided to embrace the name, which has also come to be associated with fans of the state’s NFL team, the Green Bay Packers. CHEESEHEAD hats (think large yellow foam triangles resembling cheese) are common sights at Green Bay Packers games.
    • CORGI (21D: Burrito-esque dog breed) The Welsh CORGI is a breed of herding dog that originated in Wales. The dogs have short legs and a long body. Inspired by a video of a CORGI wrapping itself in a towel, it has become an online trend for CORGI owners to post burrito-esque photos and videos of their dogs.
    • TRIBE (22D: Kaw Nation, for example) The Kaw Nation, also known as the “People of the South Wind” are a TRIBE of indigenous people in Oklahoma and parts of Kansas. 
    • OBAMA (51D: “Becoming” author Michelle) Becoming is Michelle OBAMA’s 2018 memoir. I have previously written about the great memories I have associated with this book.
    • TOTE (62D: Canvas bag) and TEA (64D: Leaves in a bag) Combining these clues here to get (a) TEA (bag) in a TOTE (bag).

    Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

    • BARBECUE PIT (20A: Place to cook spareribs)
    • BARGAIN BASEMENT (40A: Part of a store with discounted goods)
    • BAD FEMINIST (56A: 2014 essay collection by Roxane Gay)

    BROKEN BATS: The word BAT is BROKEN by each theme answer: BARBECUE PIT, BARGAIN BASEMENT, and BAD FEMINIST.

    In general, BROKEN BATS are not a good thing. However, as a crossword theme, they work quite nicely. Today the title of the puzzle let me know just what to expect, and it was enjoyable to discover each of the three great theme answers. Thank you, Stella, for this excellent puzzle.

    For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles

  • Thousands to walk across Florida, hand out friendship bracelets

    Thousands to walk across Florida, hand out friendship bracelets

    Lauren Book is preparing to walk 1,500 miles across the state of Florida — from Key West to Tallahassee — to pass out friendship bracelets and bring light to a dark subject.

    “We’re walking 20-plus miles a day,” she says.

    Book founded Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit with a mission to prevent child sexual abuse and help survivors heal.

    “I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse,” she says, “from the time that I was 10 years old until I was 16. I wanted to turn what was a very painful, difficult, horrific experience into something transformative to help others.”

    The former Florida state senator started “Walk in My Shoes” more than a decade ago. Each year, she launches the event in Key West, the southernmost part of the U.S.

    Then, for the month of April, Book passes through Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Naples, Tampa, Orlando and Pensacola. The walk ends on the Capitol steps in Tallahassee on April 30.

    Last year, more than 5,000 participants laced up. This year, the goal is 7,500.

    “Every year we try to do something different,” she says.

    That’s where Taylor Swift’s record-breaking concert comes in. Book, a mom of two, attended two nights of the Eras Tour in Miami. Book was inspired by the singer’s community trading friendship bracelets in the stadium and wanted to incorporate the beaded jewelry into her own journey.

    Long live the Eras Tour with our enchanting book

    “Survivors are making bracelets with their name and age,” she says. “We are sending those to the directors of child abuse centers so the center can distribute bracelets to other children or adults. It allows those kids to know they are not alone and it’s been incredibly moving to watch.”

    Not all the bracelets reflect survivor stories. Some have Swift’s lyrics, like “for the hope of it all” and “speak now.”

    “You never know what a small act of kindness can do to help someone,” Book says. “Being able to pass a survivor on the street and hand them something special is a remarkable thing.”

    Book will visit schools and centers across the state. Her itinerary is full of community visits that she and her team will walk to.

    On April 8, they will stop at the PACE Center for Girls in Fort Lauderdale to make extra-large bracelets for the Florida Panthers’ mascots. Deputies from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office will collect bracelets to give out during difficult calls involving children.

    These teenage boys were blackmailed online – and it cost them their lives.

    On April 14, Lauren’s Kids will do a service project at Peace River Victims Services in Lakeland, painting and brightening the exam room and employee breakroom.

    On April 21, the Bikers Against Child Abuse will join the march in Ocala. The organization is made up of volunteers who stand watch at a child’s house overnight or join them in court to help them feel safe.

    “I’s not easy to walk 1,500 miles, but I keep doing it for the survivors,” Book says. In the U.S., there are 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse.

    Interested walkers can register for the event at laurenskidswalk.org.

    And for Swifties skilled at making the handmade jewelry, Book is asking them to send inspirational friendship bracelets to her office: 4000 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 677-S, Hollywood, FL 33021.

    Don’t miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the free, weekly newsletter This Swift Beat.

    Follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network’s Taylor Swift reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.

  • 'Baywatch' actress Pamela Bach dies aged 62Entertainment

    ‘Baywatch’ actress Pamela Bach dies aged 62Entertainment

  • Halle Bailey, DDG son Halo reacts to Ariel in ‘Little Mermaid’

    Halle Bailey, DDG son Halo reacts to Ariel in ‘Little Mermaid’

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    “The Little Mermaid” is a children’s movie staple. But for Halle Bailey, the family viewing experience is a little different.

    The actress, who starred in a 2023 live-action remake of the Disney classic, shared an emotional clip of her son recognizing her on screen.

    On Wednesday, Bailey posted a video to X showing her 14-month-old son Halo watching the opening sequence of the film and repeating, “Mama.”

    “Guys i’m crying he actually knows Ariel is me,” she captioned the post. Bailey shares Halo with ex DDG.

    The actress, and one-time member of sibling R&B duo Chloe x Halle, took on the coveted role of Ariel, starring alongside Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy. Despite racist backlash surrounding Bailey’s casting as the lead in the film, since the original cartoon version features a white Ariel, the movie was a critical and commercial success, raking in $560 million at box offices worldwide and breaking streaming records when it arrived on Disney+, according to Entertainment Weekly.

    Since then Bailey has embarked on a solo musical career, releasing several singles including the Grammy-nominated song “Angel.” All the while her sister Chloe, whose own solo track “Have Mercy” became a radio favorite, has stood by in support − both as a professional peer and as an aunt to Halo, who may be following in the path of his musically inclined family.

    “He’s singing, he’s dancing a lot,” Chloe Bailey told People magazine at the NAACP Image Awards in February. “He’s making beats in his kids’ beats machine … that’s going to be my little mini-producer, my little mini-me.”

  • ‘SWAT’ canceled at CBS, Shemar Moore reacts

    ‘SWAT’ canceled at CBS, Shemar Moore reacts

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    Fans of CBS’ “S.W.A.T.” are saying goodbye to the Shemar Moore-led police procedural.

    The series, which kicked off its eighth season in October and will wrap in May, has been canceled, Moore announced to fans on social media.

    “I wasn’t going to do this, but I can’t help it,” he said in a lengthy Instagram video early Friday. “‘S.W.A.T.’ here we are, Season 8, three weeks away from the finale. We are canceled again. It sucks. It’s sad.”

    Moore, 54, said he had to give a speech to the action-drama series’ crew, calling the production “the most amazing crew in Hollywood.”

    “Just good people,” he said. “No jerks. People who show up, sacrifice seeing their families and work their tails off to make ‘S.W.A.T.’”

    USA TODAY has reached out to CBS for comment.

    Moore, a CBS mainstay (“The Young and the Restless,” “Criminal Minds”), thanked the network for “the honor” of doing the show while also giving a wink to other networks.

    “Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for the ride. If you change your mind, I promise you, you’ll make a lot of people smile,” he said. “But if you’re done, CBS, I say thank you. Hey, Netflix, how you doing?”

    Moore said he’s “not done” with Hollywood, adding he’s “so excited for the next chapter of my life and my career” and being a father to 2-year-old daughter, Frankie. “I ain’t done. My knees are ready. I lost 20 pounds. I’m ready to go.”

    The series also starred Stephanie Sigman, Alex Russell, Lina Esco, Kenny Johnson, Peter Onorati, Jay Harrington and David Lim.

    The crime drama was originally canceled by CBS after Season 6 in May 2023, and in April, the network surprised by renewing the series weeks before the Season 7 finale, thought to be the final season.

    On his Instagram story Friday, Moore shared the Deadline article about the cancellation, in which showrunner and executive producer Andrew Dettmann called the news “heartbreaking.”

    “It’s heartbreaking news, primarily because it’s been such an immense pleasure working with this cast and crew to put out a show that we’ve always been proud of,” Dettmann told the outlet. “They are truly an extraordinary group of people who have all worked so hard and have been so dedicated for all these eight seasons, overcoming countless challenges. I can’t give them enough credit.”

  • Ed Burns talks new film, marriage adviceEntertain This!

    Ed Burns talks new film, marriage adviceEntertain This!

    Ed Burns talks new film, marriage adviceEntertain This!

  • Ed Burns on ‘Millers in Marriage,’ his relationship advice

    Ed Burns on ‘Millers in Marriage,’ his relationship advice

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    NEW YORK − Ed Burns is a New Yorker through and through. He’s excited about his Knicks’ chances in the NBA. He’s looking forward to seeing baseball superstar Juan Soto play for the Mets. And he can be honest with himself when it comes to his films.

    “I think it probably comes with age,” Burns, 57, tells USA TODAY of his self-candor while promoting his latest film, “Millers in Marriage” (in theaters and on demand now). “I made a movie called ‘Ash Wednesday.’ It was my fifth film and it was this little, low-budget gangster movie. I recognized when I was in the editing room that the screenplay wasn’t strong enough.”

    The admission pushed Burns to ask “every tough question of that screenplay,” which is something he’s done for the last 10 years.

    “Then if the movie doesn’t work, you can at least look back and say, ‘We did everything we could with the screenplay,’ ” he says.

    Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY’s movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox.

    ‘Millers in Marriage’ started at a dinner party

    Burns was at dinner with friends and the conversation turned to films made in the ’90s “about every Gen X threshold experience: first love, moving to New York, first jobs, first marriages.”

    The actor realized that there were no films about what he and friends his age currently go through. It inspired him to write “Millers in Marriage.” He also directs and stars in the movie.

    People in their 50s are “relegated to playing the annoying boss” or the mom or dad roles, he says. “The day-to-day stuff that we’re going through isn’t explored. So from that is when I came up with the idea. It would be interesting to look at empty nesting and what is it like for couples when the kids are out of the house? How do you define yourself if you’re no longer actively parenting?”

    For “Millers in Marriage,” Burns, Gretchen Mol and Julianna Margulies play three siblings who explore those questions and more. The cast also includes Minnie Driver and Benjamin Bratt. It premiered at Toronto International Film Festival last September. Burns plays an artist, Andy, and allows there are parallels between his character and his real-life career.

    One line in the film is ” ‘You can’t get your agent on the phone,’ ” he recalls. “Any actor in Hollywood has gone through that experience at some point. Hollywood careers are all peaks and valleys, and when you’re in the valley, sometimes that phone call doesn’t get returned as quickly as it should.”

    Ed Bursn and Christy Turlington’s lives as empty nesters

    Another parallel between the film and Burns is that both of the kids he shares with wife Christy Turlington are off to college. All is good on the home front, he says: His kids love college. Turlington is preparing to mark the 15th anniversary of her charity Every Mother Counts, which raises awareness for maternal health. And the family has a “nice vacation” planned for the summer. Burns and Turlington will celebrate their 22nd anniversary in June.

    “It’s a cliche to say, but it’s communication,” says Burns when asked about marriage advice. “You kind of know (in the) early days, are you a couple that talks? And if you do, I think you’re going to be fine. That’s worked out for us.”

  • Who won ‘The Traitors’? What to know about Season 3 finale, victors

    Who won ‘The Traitors’? What to know about Season 3 finale, victors

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    Warning: Major spoilers for the third season of “The Traitors” are ahead.

    The messiest show on TV has concluded its third season and fans finally know who won.

    “The Traitors” Season 3 finale picked right off from last week’s vicious cliffhanger, where fans were unclear whether Britney Haynes would betray her fellow “Big Brother” alum and traitor Danielle Reyes. And Britney did just that, voting out Danielle once again in a cinematic betrayal typically reserved for melodramas.

    The episode also revealed who won last week’s mission and had the power of “the seer,” a new twist giving someone the ability to see whether a player of their choice is a faithful or traitor. Britney ended up winning, so she invited Gabby Windey to a private meeting where “The Bachelorette” star unveiled she was a faithful to Britney, who already knew that.

    But rather than try to frame Gabby as a traitor, she told the group the truth, instead going after “Down to Earth” producer Dylan Efron. What ensued after was just as chaotic and dramatic as the rest of the season.

    Who won ‘The Traitors’ Season 3?

    Gabby Windey, Dylan Efron, Dolores Catania and Lord Ivar Mountbatten won “The Traitors” Season 3 as faithfuls. They are the largest batch of winners in the show’s three-season run.

    At the final roundtable the group unanimously banished Britney in a 4-1 vote. While she could not reveal her identity to the group, the faithfuls had finally banished every traitor.

    The group decided to end the game and successfully split the prize pot of $204,300.

    Who is Dylan Efron?

    Dylan Efron is an actor, producer, outdoor enthusiast and brother of “The Iron Claw” star Zac Efron.

    The 33-year-old recently produced the documentary series “Down to Earth with Zac Efron” and has previously worked as a stuntman in film production.

    Who is Dolores Catania?

    Dolores Catania, 54, is a philanthropist and entrepreneur best known for starring in “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” The Paterson, New Jersey native is a mother to Gabby and Frankie Catania, both in their 20s.

    Who is Gabby Windey?

    Illinois native Gabby Windey, 34, is TV personality and newlywed, previously appearing on both “The Bachelor” Season 26 and “The Bachelorette” Season 19.

    She hosts the “Long Winded with Gabby Windey” podcast and was previously an NFL cheerleader for the Denver Broncos. During the finale episode, she said she would use the prize money for her wedding and revealed on Instagram Wednesday that she married comedian Robby Hoffman on Jan. 11.

    Who is Lord Ivar Mountbatten?

    Lord Ivar Mountbatten, 61, is a British aristocrat and geologist from London best known as the second cousin of King Charles III. He has been married to James Coyle since 2018.

    Who is the host of ‘The Traitors’?

    Scottish actor Alan Cumming has hosted all three seasons “The Traitors” (U.S.)

    Last year, he won the Emmy for best reality host for the show’s second season, which also took the award for the best reality competition program.

    “I am the host, but I’m playing a character of a host, very much so,” Cumming told USA TODAY in January. “I don’t even sound like that; I put on a funny accent as well as a look and tone. I don’t go around quoting Shakespeare all the time, and I certainly don’t boss people around. And I’m not so aggressive as this sort of stern castle daddy.”

    Where is ‘The Traitors’ filmed?

    “The Traitors” is filmed at the Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

    Who were the traitors in Season 3?

    There were a total of five traitors in Season 3: “Big Brother” finalist Danielle Reyes; “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Bob the Drag Queen; “Survivor” finalist Carolyn Wiger and “Survivor” winner “Boston” Rob Mariano.

    “Big Brother” contestant Britney Haynes began the game as a faithful before later being recruited as a traitor toward the season’s end.

    Who won ‘The Traitors’ Season 1 and 2?

    Four-time “Survivor” contestant Ciree Fields was the first person to win the U.S. version of “The Traitors” as a traitor. She left faithfuls Andie Thurmond and Quentin Jiles flabbergasted when she revealed her identity and won all the money.

    “The Challenge” contestants Trishelle Cannatella and CT Tamburello both won “The Traitors” Season 2 as faithfuls. The final four included “Below Deck” star Kate Chastain (a traitor) and “Shahs of Sunset” star Mercedes Javid (a faithful), who were both banished.

    Will there be “The Traitors” Season 4?

    Peacock has renewed “The Traitors” for both Season 4 and Season 5, Deadline reported in August.

    Where to watch ‘The Traitors’ Season 3

    All three seasons of “The Traitors,” as well as the two seasons each of “The Traitors UK” (hosted by Claudia Winkleman) and “The Traitors Australia” (hosted by Rodger Corser), are available to stream exclusively on Peacock.

    Subscriptions begin at $7.99 a month.

    Contributing: David Oliver

    We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

  • 'Queen of the Ring' chronicles life of wrestling legend Mildred BurkeMovies

    'Queen of the Ring' chronicles life of wrestling legend Mildred BurkeMovies

    ‘Queen of the Ring’ chronicles life of wrestling legend Mildred BurkeMovies

  • Hannah Berner apologizes for viral Megan Thee Stallion interview

    Hannah Berner apologizes for viral Megan Thee Stallion interview

    Hannah Berner is apologizing for a red carpet moment with Megan Thee Stallion that didn’t sit well with fans of the rapper.

    The comedian and “Summer House” alumna took to her Instagram Story on Thursday to address criticism she received for her nearly three-minute interview with the “Savage” and “Hot Girl Summer” musician at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday. Fans online criticized Berner because they thought the interaction with Megan on the red carpet showed racist microaggressions.

    “Interviewing Megan Thee Stallion was a dream of mine. I love her music and it’s my go to whenever I need to boost my confidence before a show. Looking back at the interview, I wish I used any other word except ‘fight’ to describe how her songs impact me,” Berner wrote.

    She continued, “It was a careless choice of words and though there was no ill intent, I recognize and acknowledge that what I said has a deeper meaning and I am so sorry to Megan. I appreciate everyone who brought this to my attention.”

    USA TODAY has reached out to Megan’s rep for comment.

    What happened during Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo’s interview with Megan Thee Stallion?

    Berner was among a group of hosts tasked with interviewing stars at one of the premier Oscars afterparties over the weekend. Halfway through the two-hour livestream, she and “Summer House” co-star – and Giggly Squad podcast co-host – Paige DeSorbo were joined by Megan on the red carpet.

    The interview started strong, with Berner complimenting Megan on her recent Amazon Prime documentary and saying she felt “so inspired” by the film.

    “I start my day with you and only you,” Giggly Squad podcast co-host Paige DeSorbo interjected as Berner asked a question about what Megan does for a confidence boost.

    Berner added on, “Your music has literally made me want — when I want to fight someone, I listen to your music.” She continued, saying, “When people are talking (expletive), I go, ‘Turn on Megan Thee Stallion!’”

    Megan seemingly attempted to pivot to a more positive note without missing a beat. She said, “You want to throw that fighting (expletive) out the window and you want to get cute and be a bad (expletive).”

    Megan took the questions in stride, but social media users took issue with the way the influencers spoke over Megan, as well as Berner’s characterization of the rapper’s music as violent.

    As TyLisa Johnson wrote for Poynter, “Lowkey ‘angry Black woman’ references in 2025? Please.”

    Johnson added, “I’ve been a fan of Megan Thee Stallion since around 2016, when she was a young college student freestyling in cars. She has never made me want to fight. She makes me want to dance, be more liberated, stand up for myself and own my womanhood.”

    One TikTok user, commenting on Vanity Fair’s one-minute clip from the interaction, wrote, “The racism is LOUD!”

    Several others disagreed with Berner’s interpretation of Megan’s musical themes, with one user commenting, “Meg was like ‘fight people? Girl, I make Bad Bih music. Do you see these nails? We don’t fight.’”

    Though the Megan The Stallion moment went viral, Berner and DeSorbo also spoke with other celebrities including Amy Poehler, Hailey Bieber and Jesse Eisenberg on the red carpet.