Sally Hoelscher provides daily insights into USA TODAY's crossword puzzles

In today's puzzle, various clues were provided, including references to movies, fruits, operas, TV series, and sports. The puzzle also featured themes related to language, geography, music, and food. Notably, the puzzle included references to the SKA band, The Fuss, and the animated movie "Flushed Away," as well as details about the UGLI fruit and the OPERA "The Barber of Seville." Additionally, the puzzle touched on topics such as the TV series "Sex Education," the Serbian Basketball Team, different varieties of ZEBRAS, and the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet. The puzzle also highlighted the significance of certain letters in theme answers, such as A and Z, and featured clues related to notable figures like ALEX RODRIGUEZ and Alice EASTWOOD. Moreover, the puzzle included references to online shopping on the Wayfair site, the song "Mullet Head," and the rebranding of the New Orleans NBA team as the Pelicans. It also mentioned the upcoming release of "MOANA 2" and the presence of ATOLLs in the world. The puzzle concluded with a freestyle format, featuring bonus food answers alongside the phrase "ALL YOU CAN EAT." Overall, the puzzle offered a diverse range of clues and themes, showcasing a mix of entertainment, history, geography, and pop culture references. The inclusion of various topics and the creative arrangement of letters in theme answers added an engaging and enjoyable element to the puzzle experience.