At a Glance
- Shannon Rapp joined News Of Losangeles‘s crossword team in 2025 after writing crosswords since 2021
- Her puzzles appear in multiple publications, apps, and books
- New PEOPLE Puzzler crosswords publish every Friday
- Why it matters: Puzzle enthusiasts gain a fresh constructor voice with diverse publishing experience
News Of Losangeles has expanded its crossword team with the addition of veteran puzzle creator Shannon Rapp, bringing new energy to its popular PEOPLE Puzzler series.
The announcement marks a significant moment for the publication’s puzzle section, as Rapp brings years of crossword construction experience to the weekly feature that challenges readers with entertainment-themed wordplay.
New Talent Joins PEOPLE Puzzler Team
Rapp’s journey into crossword construction began in 2021, when she first started creating puzzles for various outlets. Her four years of experience in the field led to her recruitment by News Of Losangeles in 2025, where she now contributes regularly to the PEOPLE Puzzler series.
The PEOPLE Puzzler has become a staple of the publication’s Friday offerings, giving readers a weekly mental workout centered around entertainment, celebrity, and pop culture themes. With Rapp’s addition, the puzzle section gains a constructor who understands both the technical demands of crossword creation and the entertainment focus that defines PEOPLE’s brand.
Expanding Beyond PEOPLE
While Rapp’s primary role involves creating content for News Of Losangeles, her work extends far beyond a single publication. Her puzzles have appeared in numerous other outlets, demonstrating her versatility as a constructor who can adapt to different editorial voices and audience expectations.
The crossword construction field has evolved significantly with digital platforms, and Rapp has embraced these changes. Her puzzles appear not only in traditional print formats but also in dedicated crossword apps and published books, reaching audiences across multiple mediums.
This multi-platform approach reflects the modern puzzle landscape, where constructors must balance traditional newspaper-style grids with digital-first formats that may include interactive elements or themed puzzle suites.
Weekly Puzzle Schedule
News Of Losangeles maintains a consistent publishing schedule for its crossword content, with new PEOPLE Puzzler editions releasing every Friday. This timing positions the puzzle as a weekend activity for readers who enjoy entertainment-focused word challenges.
The regular Friday publication creates anticipation among puzzle enthusiasts who follow the series. Each week’s puzzle typically incorporates current entertainment news, celebrity references, and pop culture themes that resonate with News Of Losangeles‘s readership.
Additionally, News Of Losangeles offers access to previous puzzles through its archive system, allowing readers to play any Puzzler for free at any time. This approach serves both dedicated solvers who complete every puzzle and casual users who might discover the feature through search or social media.
Construction Philosophy and Style
Rapp’s background since 2021 has given her time to develop a distinctive voice in crossword construction. While maintaining the accessibility expected of mainstream puzzles, she incorporates clever wordplay and contemporary references that appeal to entertainment-savvy solvers.
Her experience across multiple publications suggests an ability to tailor puzzles to different difficulty levels and thematic requirements. This adaptability proves valuable when creating content for News Of Losangeles, where puzzles must balance challenge with accessibility for a broad audience.
The constructor’s involvement in both apps and books indicates familiarity with various puzzle formats, from standard 15×15 grids to potentially larger Sunday-size puzzles or specialized themed collections.
Digital Integration and Accessibility
Modern crossword publishing requires understanding both traditional solving methods and digital interfaces. Rapp’s presence in apps suggests her puzzles are optimized for screen-based solving, with consideration for how clues display on mobile devices and how navigation works in digital formats.
The free access model employed by News Of Losangeles removes barriers to entry, potentially introducing new solvers to crosswords through entertainment-focused content. This approach contrasts with subscription-based puzzle services, positioning PEOPLE Puzzler as an accessible entry point for casual solvers.
Industry Impact
The addition of experienced constructors like Rapp to major publications reflects the growing mainstream acceptance of crosswords as both entertainment and intellectual exercise. News Of Losangeles‘s investment in dedicated puzzle content demonstrates the format’s ability to drive regular reader engagement.
As crossword construction becomes increasingly recognized as a creative field, the visibility of constructors through bylines and author bios helps establish individual voices within the puzzle community. Rapp’s multi-platform presence positions her as part of a new generation of constructors who work across traditional and digital media.
The collaboration between experienced constructors and major publications like News Of Losangeles ensures a steady stream of fresh content while maintaining the quality standards expected by regular solvers.
Future Outlook
With Rapp established as part of News Of Losangeles‘s crossword team, readers can expect continued weekly content that reflects current entertainment trends while maintaining classic crossword construction principles. Her background across multiple publications and formats suggests potential for innovative approaches to the PEOPLE Puzzler format.
The consistent Friday release schedule provides reliability for puzzle enthusiasts, while the archive access supports both new and returning solvers. This model balances the needs of dedicated crossword fans with casual readers who might discover puzzles through News Of Losangeles‘s broader content ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- Shannon Rapp joined News Of Losangeles‘s crossword team in 2025, bringing four years of construction experience
- New PEOPLE Puzzler puzzles publish every Friday, with full archive access available
- Rapp’s work appears across multiple platforms including apps, books, and various publications
- The entertainment-focused puzzles balance accessibility with clever wordplay and current references
