Today’s daily Mini Crossword puzzle, released on Jan. 28, 2026, offers ten clues that challenge solvers with a mix of straightforward definitions and playful phrasing. It encourages quick, focused solving.
The puzzle is displayed on News Of Los Angeles‘s NYT puzzle hints page, where solvers can also find hints for Wordle, Strands, Connections, and Connections: Sports Edition. It provides a convenient hub for enthusiasts seeking daily puzzles and quick solutions.
The Mini Crossword is a compact grid encouraging quick, focused solving. Each entry is a single word fitting into the grid, with across and down answers intersecting at shared letters.
Clue Breakdown
Across clues: 1A Remove from a position of power; 5A Not cool; 7A ”Fine, see if ___!”; 8A Kind of bored; 9A Primatologist’s subjects. Answers: OUST, UNHIP, ICARE, JADED, APES.
Down clues: 1D Kind of board; 2D Prepare to use, as a pen; 3D Desirable place to sit on a hot day; 4D Pair on a bicycle; 6D ___ Xing (street sign). Answers: OUIJA, UNCAP, SHADE, TIRES, PED.
Remove from a position of power directs solvers to a verb meaning to dismiss from authority; OUST satisfies this definition.
Not cool is an informal phrase meaning unfashionable; UNHIP matches this description.
The phrase “Fine, see if ___!” invites a reply of agreement; ICARE completes the sentence naturally.
Kind of bored describes a dull or tired state; JADED is a synonym that fits the clue.
Primatologist’s subjects refers to the animals studied by a primatologist; APES is the plural noun that satisfies this clue.
Kind of board refers to a board used in séances; OUIJA is the correct answer.
Prepare to use, as a pen indicates removing a cap; UNCAP is the verb that fits.
Desirable place to sit on a hot day describes a cool area; SHADE satisfies this clue.
Pair on a bicycle is a common component of a vehicle; TIRES is the plural noun that fits the clue.
___ Xing (street sign) completes the phrase indicating a street sign; PED completes the phrase.
How to Solve
Identify the length of each answer from the grid and clue numbering. It helps determine the number of letters needed for each answer.
Fill in answers that are straightforward from the clue wording. It reduces the number of unknowns early on.
Use intersecting letters from across and down entries to confirm uncertain answers. It leverages cross letters to confirm accuracy.
Check that every letter matches both the across and down clues. It ensures consistency across the puzzle.
Review the completed grid for any inconsistencies. It catches any mistakes before final submission.
Daily Puzzle Tips
Visit News Of Los Angeles‘s NYT puzzle hints page for quick answers and hints. It provides a quick reference to confirm solutions.
Use the provided Mini Crossword hints to verify your solutions. It ensures solutions align with the intended answers.
Compare your answers with the official list to spot any mistakes. It highlights any discrepancies early on.
The grid is arranged so that all entries fit within a small area, requiring careful planning of letter intersections.
Clues are numbered sequentially, starting at 1A for the first across entry and 1D for the first down entry.
Across answers range from four to five letters, while down answers range from three to five letters, providing a balanced mix of word lengths.
The puzzle contains four five-letter words, one four-letter across word, and one three-letter down word, offering a varied vocabulary challenge.
Each across answer shares letters with down answers at intersection points, ensuring consistency across the grid.
The solution list is presented in a table format, with each clue number, clue text, and answer.
The official answer list includes the answers for all 10 clues, providing a complete reference for solvers.
By cross-checking letters and using the hints on News Of Los Angeles‘s site, solvers can confidently complete the puzzle.
The puzzle is dated Jan. 28, 2026, ensuring that solvers know the exact date of the daily challenge.
The puzzle’s answer list is ordered the same way as the clues, making it straightforward to match each answer to its clue.
The grid ensures that each letter appears in both an across and a down answer, maintaining crossword integrity.
The puzzle’s design follows standard conventions for numbering and layout, creating a familiar solving experience.
The puzzle appears on News Of Los Angeles‘s NYT puzzle hints page, where readers can access both the grid and the solution list.
The page also hosts hints for Wordle, Strands, Connections, and Connections: Sports Edition, providing a single resource for multiple puzzles.
