Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Death from deep Cowboys 3-point struggles pivotal in Baylor loss

reer-high 13 points on an efficient 5-for-8 shooting in 28 minutes.

Coach Mike Boynton discussed how Williams about a month ago was struggling with the grind of playing at such a high collegiate level and started to get down on himself mentally.

Since, though, he’s remained engaged, and tonight showed that.

Bryce Thompson squatted down, trying to get a better vantage point of the ball.

Caleb Asberry just hoisted a 3 from the right wing, trying to return the 3-pointer that Baylor guard Dale Bonner had hit just six seconds prior. Thompson, from the right corner, watched the ball circle around the rim from his lowered point of view, before it fell toward Eddie Sutton Court after spinning out.

That’s just how it went for the majority of Monday night for OSU, and despite their late game efforts to mount a comeback, they fell to Baylor 74-68.

“We got a bunch of wideopen 3s in the first half,” Thompson said. “It was pretty rough from 3-point land for us tonight.”

The Cowboys finished the game shooting 28% from beyond the arc and came just one attempt shy of tying a season-high of shot attempts from deep, going 9-32.

The trio of John-Michael Wright, Asberry and Woody Newton, who entered the game as the top three 3-point shooters by percentage for the Cowboys, combined for a 3-for-14 rate from deep in the first half, digging a hole that couldn’t be climbed out of.

“We competed til the end, we just can’t dig ourselves that hole and allow their best players to get off early,” Thompson said.

A bright spot for the Cowboys on the offensive end was the production from true freshman, Quion Williams, who had a ca-

“I’m proud of his and our staff’s ability to keep him engaged through that moment so that he can start seeing some success here as we get closer to the end of the season,” Boynton said.

The Bears’ offense wasn’t much better in the defensive bought, shooting only 42% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc.

Strong jabs from guards LJ Cryer and Adam Flagler put the Cowboys on their heels early, while Bonner’s 12 second-half points helped put the nail in the coffin and secure a Bears win in GIA.

“With Adam (Flagler) and LJ (Cryer) it makes it easy to sleep at night,” Bears coach Drew Scott said. “Dale (Bonner) was tremendous down the stretch… it starts with your backcourt.”

Now, projected on the bubble of tournament contention and on a five-game losing streak, the Cowboys face an uphill battle for the rest of the season, and their inability to hit shots early against the Bears puts them in a less than ideal position with one regular season game remaining.

“We got a game in Lubbock that we got to prepare for,” Wright said. There’s still a lot of basketball left to play, we’re keeping our heads high. But it was a tough one for us.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Key takeaways from OSU’s wacky loss to Baylor

besting the previous high of 16 OSU set against UCF in overtime.

But for the most part, OSU failed to convert on the extra chances. OSU scored just 10 second-chance points – five less than the Bears who had just 13 offensive rebounds.

The Cowboys demolished a season high in offensive rebounding.

They just couldn’t take advantage.

No. 7 Baylor beat Oklahoma State 74-68 on Monday night in Stillwater. The loss increases OSU’s losing streak to five and dents the Cowboys’ NCAA Tournament chance. Here are three notes from a wacky, pivotal game.

OSU’s remarkable rebounding all for naught:

OSU (16-14, 7-10 Big 12) rarely had just one crack at scoring.

The Cowboys pulled in a season-high 22 offensive rebounds,

“The 22 offensive rebounds are elite,” coach Mike Boynton said. “High, high-level stuff. We haven’t really done that much lately. It’s encouraging to see us do that because it requires effort, it requires physicality, it requires concentration and it requires focus. But you’ve got to get more than 10 points out of it.”

Junior forward Tyreek Smith, who came off the bench, pulled down six rebounds in 16 minutes. “A lot of times rebounds connect with playing hard,” guard Bryce Thompson said.

Crowned Miss Black OSU plans on starting a Black Student Government Association

Two contestants, one crown. On Saturday, Kerri Benard was crowned OSU’s 2023 Miss Black. The annual OSU Miss Black pageant was held in the Student Union Theatre. Benard, a psychology pre-med sophomore, and

Daisha Blation, a biology freshman, competed for the crown in seven categories. Privately, they were scored on their professionalism during the months of pageant preparation and an interview with the judges that morning.

Prior to the pageant starting, Azariah Lang, a junior majoring in psychology and political science with a concentration in pre-law, said she did not know the contes-

tants, but was excited to see and learn about them and what they could bring to OSU’s campus. The two women performed an opening dance number. Afterward, the masters of ceremony, cousins Micheala Purnell, a pre-med biology senior,

Chase Davis

OSU shot 9-for-32 from 3 in its loss to Baylor on Monday.

Jaiden Daughty

The OSU Miss Black occurred in the Student Union Theatre on Saturday night and Kerri Benard won.

Ashton Slaughter Staff Reporter

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter Notebook

Stephanie Landaverde Staff Reporter

Baylor...

Continued from page 1

“I think (Smith) did a phenomenal job today with being that spark and getting offensive and defensive rebounds.”

3-point struggles crop up again:

The Cowboys’ 3-point shooting went from abysmal to poor in their rematch with the Bears.

After shooting 7-for-33 from deep in Waco, the Cowboys mustered just nine makes on 32 attempts in Stillwater.

Thompson said he was relatively happy with the offense OSU ran throughout game. His team just couldn’t convert open looks.

“Honestly I think we were just missing shots,” Thompson said. “We got a bunch of wide-open 3’s in the first half. Usually those go down. It was pretty rough for us in 3-point land tonight. You just got to keep going and keep working.”

Senior point guard John-Michael Wright, who shot 4-for-11 on 3-pointers, helped the Cowboys string together a massive comeback in the final four minutes to close the gap in a game that had been a blowout. Baylor led by 17 with 4:01 remaining.

But the lead that Baylor (22-8, 11-6) opened in the first half by getting OSU to miss was too large.

“When you go through what we’ve gone through in the last two weeks, doubt starts to creep in,” Boynton said.

Williams has a career-high scoring night

In a game where most Cowboys struggled, freshman guard Quion Williams did the opposite.

Williams scored a career-high 12 points in 28 minutes against the Bears. He knocked down a pair of corner 3s and was a physical presence in the lane.

Boynton said he is proud of Williams for pushing through a season that has had ups and downs.

This stuff is really hard for freshmen,” Boynton said. “It’s really, really hard. What you like to see is to not get beaten down mentally. You do see it occasionally because it’s harder than they ever imagined it would be.”

It was the most minutes Williams had gotten in college. Boynton said Williams was struggling about a month ago adapting to college basketball’s toll but has gotten through the rough patch.

“I’m proud of (Williams) and our staff’s ability to keep him engaged through that moment so he can start seeing some success here as we get closer to the end of the season,” Boynton said.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Chase Davis

Quion Williams scored a career-high 12 points in OSU’s loss to Baylor on Monday.

Costly loss puts OSU on wrong side of bubble; moves eyes to regular-season finale

said the entire team keeps up with Bg 12 and national standings. It’s not something his players hide from.

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

Chris Harris Jr. said it to the security guard as he was stretching out before Monday’s game.

“Gotta get this one.”

Harris Jr., an OSU guard, knew the importance of beating Baylor to stay on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. OSU coach Mike Boynton

Knowing how bad the Cowboys needed a win makes OSU’s 74-68 loss to Baylor sting even more. The defeat, OSU’s fifth in a row, moves OSU out of ESPN’s NCAA Tournament projection.

Joe Lunardi, ESPN bracketology expert, positioned OSU as the last team in the NCAA Tournament field prior to Monday night’s matchup. He tweeted an OSU loss would bounce the Cowboys from the field and move Arizona State up.

All eyes move to Saturday and OSU’s final regular-season game against Texas Tech in Lubbock. The Red Raiders are ninth in the conference, but win-

ners of four of their last five. OSU needs a win to boost its resume, but also just to find a shred of positivity before the Big 12 Tournament.

OSU guard John-Michael Wright said the team isn’t overlooking the Texas Tech game. It’s not something OSU can afford to do.

“Being able to beat a good team and get momentum heading into the (Big 12) tournament would be great for us,” OSU guard John-Michael Wright. “It would be that spark that I think we need having lost five in a row. But we still believe in what we do, and we know what we’re capable of.”

What could a win do for the Cowboys, now on the outside of Lunardi’s NCAA Tournament bubble?

“Ask me Saturday and they might be back in,” Lunardi said on Monday’s TV broadcast.

OSU coach Mike Boynton said he doesn’t like to talk a lot about momentum. The next game is always the most important. But Boynton said he does believe that putting everything together to earn a win is important to the psychology of a team.

There is no escaping how much a win would do for the confidence and resume of an OSU team stumbling down the homestretch.

“It’s in the back of everybody’s mind, but there’s nothing you can do but win now,” Wright said. “So that’s what we plan on doing.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Andy Crown

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi put OSU on the “Last Four Teams Out” on his latest “Bracketology” projection.

Cowboys prepare for Big 12 Championship

Rowdy Baribeau Staff Reporter

There’s no better opportunity for OSU to put on a show for its fans than in Tulsa, where there figures to be plenty of orange in the BOK Center.

The Cowboys will have opportunities in March to win a Big 12 title in front of their home fans and compete for a national championship two weeks later. But, the first thing is first: Win the Big 12. With specific Cowboys receiving unfavorable seeds in the tournament, John Smith, OSU wrestling coach, expressed his displeasure. However, he’s never been bought in more to the lone Cowboy who was unseeded.

With Tulsa hosting, it presents a unique opportunity for Fix

Daton Fix will return to where it all started for him: Tulsa.

Fix is a three-time NCAA runnerup at 133 pounds. Another way of saying it is Fix lost in the finals three times. With two years to go, time is running short on Fix’s chances to become a national champion. It would make for an interesting story if Fix could win his first national title not just in Oklahoma, but his hometown. Smith likes the opportunity that Fix has in the upcoming three weeks and he’s noticed some differences ahead of the Big 12 and national tournaments.

“I think it’s awesome, but it’s real important that we recognize for him, just go do it,” Smith said. “I see a level that I really like. I think he’s wrestled his practices over the last week, [they have] been as good as any of us have seen. What’s that mean? We’ll see.”

Smith disappointed in Big 12 seeding

OSU has one No. 1 seed and he is the obvious one: Fix. OSU has two No. 2 seeds and one No. 3 seed. Everyone else is four or below. As the Cowboys have multiple individual rankings outside the top 10, the seeds did not swing in favor of orange singlets. Smith said he was unpleased with how the Big 12 Committee made its selections.

“I’m a little disappointed,” Smith said. “I was really frustrated with a couple of weight classes. I feel like at a couple weight classes, it’s just not right. I got concerns about coaches calling committee members. I got a few

concerns that I’d like to know a little bit more about, and why some of these decisions were made.”

“I think the committee members that were on there, are pretty solid people. I just want to know if they heard from another coach and I didn’t get to speak. I didn’t think you could call. I didn’t think you could discuss anything with them.”

“We didn’t call and get involved and I don’t know if any other coaches did. Just seems to me they came to a conclusion that you had to get some information from someone. We’ll just leave it at that.”

Smith wants Witcraft to make a splash Smith was asked, “This weekend,

what do you want to see from Reece Witcraft?”

Smith’s answer was simple.

“I want to see him go to nationals.” There isn’t a wrestler Smith has raved about more than Witcraft during the latter part of the dual-meet schedule. Witcraft was the lone Cowboy to be unseeded in the Big 12 Tournament. For weeks, Smith has expressed his pleasure with unselfishness and newfound maturity he’s seen grow within Witcraft.

Smith said he has high expectations for Witcraft… but Witcraft has even higher expectations than the head man in charge.

“Hey, I’m gonna tell you, he’s got bigger expectations than what

mine are,” Smith said. “He’s a different kid right now than he’s ever been for us from a discipline standpoint, just some lessons learned in the past with his weight. [I have] just been proud of his attitude and how he’s handled the weight.”

“I think he’s learned a lot about himself through the process that’s going to be bigger than any medal or any glory he gets from wrestling. He’s always going to know that he took responsibility.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Molly Jolliff

This weekend, Daton Fix, OSU’s 133-pounder, seeks his fourth Big 12 title.

Miss Black...

Continued from page 1

and Toni Purnell, a screen studies freshman, quizzed the audience on Black history trivia.

When the contestants returned, they each presented a speech over their platforms. They were judged on their speaking ability rather than the content of their speech.

Contestant No. 1, Benard, presented her platform titled “the melanin movement.” She explained her platform aims to represent and preserve Black culture and identity on campus. Benard said Black culture makes up less than 5% of OSU’s student body and that she would like to start a Black Student Government Association as well as work with the current SGA to ensure Black students’ thoughts and opinions are heard.

Contestant No. 2, Blation, ran on a platform focused on substance abuse. Blation said 37% of college students abuse illegal drugs and alcohol. She planned to work with OSU’s mental health services and substance abuse center to combat the issue.

After their platform statements, the contestants competed in the cultural wear portion. Both portrayed Black icons; Benard chose Whitney Houston and Blation represented Serena Williams.

The Langston University Essence Dance Ensemble performed a dance while the contestants prepared for their talents. Afterward, Langston University’s Legendary Models Modeling Agency had its own performance.

Maryah Brookins, a sophomore majoring in business management at Langston, said this was the first time the groups had worked with OSU’s Miss Black pageant.

Next the contestants presented their talents. Benard performed a science experiment: the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. More commonly known as elephant toothpaste. Blation’s talent was speedpainting. She created the silhouette of a woman with curly hair on a blacked-out canvas.During intermission the audience had the opportunity to vote for people’s choice.

Post intermission, the two women donned evening wear and walked the

stage. The extemporaneous question portion of the competition started right after that. Bobbi Jarmon, OSU’s 2022 Miss Black, presented the contestants with sealed envelopes, of which they chose one. She opened the envelopes and read their chosen question aloud.

Benard was asked whether skills or education were more important.

“Skills,” she said, because neither of her parents have a collegiate education and they provided her and her siblings a beautiful life.

Blation was asked what steps or measures need to be taken to eradicate poverty. Blation said education and helping others were the steps needed to help this issue. Jarmon did one final walk on the stage and gave a speech before awards were presented. Benard won the people’s choice, entrepreneurship, interview and talent awards.

Blation won the academic excellence, evening wear and cultural wear awards. Blation was named the first runner up in the competition. Benard was crowned.

Summer-Rose Allensworth, a freshman majoring in agriculture education, attended the pageant because her agriculture leadership class wanted them to explore OSU’s diversity.

“I thought this pageant would be perfect,” Allensworth said.

Faculty members Karen Wilson, Kirstin Sylvester and Devan Moore were the pageant’s judges. Sylvester is a third year Ph.D. candidate in counseling psychology and serves as the president of the Graduate Black Student Association. Wilson is the program coordinator at the Center for Africana studies.

“I am most excited to have her (Benard) visit the Center for Africana studies to meet students and collaborate on events,” Wilson said. “As you know, only two contestants were able to compete this year. It is my hope that the new Miss Black OSU will drop by the Center to share her experience with other students who may be curious about participating next year.”

Neither Wilson nor Sylvester had experience competing in OSU’s Miss Black pageant or judging previous pageants. Sylvester said the collaboration and support the contestants and pageant committee had for one another impressed her.

“I am excited about how Miss Black OSU will play an intentional role in bolstering unity among the Black

community at OSU and continue critical conversations of diversity, equity and inclusion with university adminis-

trators,”

Sylvester said.

Jaiden Daughty

Daisha Blation won the academic excellence, evening wear and cultural wear awards.

Biden administration launches push to renew key foreign surveillance tool

Ryan Tarinelli CQ-Roll Call

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday called on Congress to reauthorize a key surveillance law before it expires at the end of the year, touting it as a cornerstone of national security even as officials work to address past criticisms that it has information on Americans as well.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines sent a letter to congressional leaders on Tuesday to emphasize that there is no way to replicate Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for its insights.

The section allows the federal government to collect the digital communications of foreigners who are located outside the U.S. But the provision has faced criticism that it’s a mass surveillance law that goes far beyond what’s necessary to safeguard national security and can be used to target Americans.

“The comprehensive system Congress designed to ensure this irreplaceable intelligence tool protects the privacy and civil liberties of U.S. persons has worked,” the letter states. “When incidents of noncompliance have been identified, remedial steps have been taken to ensure the authority is being implemented consistent with its limited scope.”

National security adviser Jake Sullivan released a statement Tuesday that called Section 702 reauthorization a “top priority,” and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen made the case at a Brookings Institution event.

“If Congress doesn’t act to reauthorize it, and if 702 expires or is watered down, the United States will lose absolutely critical insights that we need to protect the country,” Olsen said.

The push from the Biden administration comes the day before Garland is set to testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing of the Justice Department.

Former President Donald Trump signed into law the program’s latest renewal in 2018, but dozens of Republi-

cans and Democrats voted against that year’s reauthorization legislation.

Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has said changes must be made before reauthorization, and Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs filed a bill that would repeal the law.

“The FBI and federal intelligence agencies use scare tactics to convince Congress that these unchecked powers are the only method available to protect our nation from harm,” Biggs said in a statement in February. “Well, every American should be scared to know federal agents are spying on them, even if they have nothing to hide.”

Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, who is now chair of the House Judiciary Committee, also voted against the reauthorization.

The ACLU has encouraged Americans to urge members of Congress to vote against a Section 702 reauthorization, saying that it allows “mass surveillance of Americans’ online communications with anyone abroad.”

“Congress can still fight back against these egregious violations of our privacy,” the ACLU wrote. “This is our chance to begin to end this dystopian chapter of American history.”

Olsen, in his speech, foreshadowed the ways that the Justice Department will emphasize the need for the tool while also addressing the criticisms.

The FISA process has been in the political spotlight because the FBI launched a criminal probe into members of President Donald Trump’s campaign in 2016. Trump and his congressional allies criticized the FBI probe into Russian interference in the election.

And a DOJ watchdog audit identified “significant concerns” and found the FBI was not following procedures from 2001 meant to protect process from abuse and irregularities.

Olsen said that controversy is about a separate part of FISA, but he doesn’t distinguish between the two parts when making the case for Section 702 this year as something that national security is more important than partisan politics.

“I think it’s incumbent on us with every member of Congress to explain the value of 702 and explain how we’re addressing the concerns that that member of Congress may have,” Olsen said.

Olsen said Tuesday the DOJ has “made mistakes” in recent years that have “undermined that core public trust.” He said the FBI has improved training and changed policies since 2021 that have dramatically decreased the number of queries of U.S. persons and inadvertent queries of Section 702 databases.

“Understanding that context is very important as we look to fix these issues, but at the end of the day, the mistakes are not acceptable,” Olsen said. “They aren’t acceptable to us. They’re not acceptable to Congress. They’re not acceptable to the American people, and they shouldn’t be.”

Olsen said Section 702 is used as the government focuses on serious threats, “such as the Chinese govern-

ment’s efforts to spy on us and to steal our sensitive technologies, Iran Sanctions evictions, North Korea’s nuclear program, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

And Olsen said information collected through Section 702 allowed the FBI to disrupt a plot to detonate bombs in the New York City subway system, and also contributed to the 2022 drone strike that killed Ayman al-Zawihiri, the leader of al-Qaida.

“We’ve used it to identify and disrupt hostile foreign actors’ efforts to recruit spies in this country, or to send operatives into the United States,” Olsen said. “And we’ve relied on 702 to mitigate and prevent foreign ransomware and other cyberattacks on U.S. critical infrastructure.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Tribune U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at the U.S. Department of Justice in August 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images/TNS)

Pi Kappa Alpha faces investigation, will not participate in Homecoming

In an email sent Thursday evening, the Director of University Engagement announced the removal.

Kennedy Thomason Assistant News & Lifestyle Editor

“Based on [the] outcome from a recent conduct investigation hosted by the Office of Student Support and Conduct, the men of Pi Kappa Alpha have been removed from Homecoming 2023 as a result of their suspension from campus activities,” the email stated.

Pi Kappa Alpha’s President, Hayden Hurst, commented on the situation.

“We are currently in discus-

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sions with the University about our participation at Homecoming 2023,” Hurst said. “As of today, nothing had formally been agreed upon. Until those discussions have been formally concluded, we have no further comment.”

In a clarifying email, the Director of University Engagement Shelby Roberts reiterated the removal is a consequence of an investigation by the Office of Student Support and Conduct and/ or Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.

Pi Kappa Alpha was paired with Delta Delta Delta for this year’s Home -

coming festivities. Due to Pi Kappa Alpha’s removal, Delta Delta Delta is eligible to pair with any existing pairing.

In a message to the participating chapters, Thursday’s email also stated, “We encourage you to consider forming a grouping of three chapters with the women of the chapter.”

This removal marks the third year in a row a fraternity has been removed from Homecoming.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Pi Kappa Alpha is out of Homecoming.

Jaiden Daughty

Pi Kappa Alpha will not participate in OSU’s Homecoming as a result of their suspension from campus activities.

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy!

Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

The best selection of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University. Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store

815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6

Monday thru Saturday

Business Squares Business Squares Company Coming?

Check out “Cowboy Cabin” 550 steps east of Boone Pickens Stadium

Airbnb.com/h/cowboy-cabin

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR BOTH SUMMER SEMESTER 2023 and FALL SEMESTER 2023

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

THE O’COLLY

Applications for both Summer Semester 2023 and Fall Semester 2023 Editor-in-Chief of The O’Colly will be accepted from now thru Friday, March 3, 2023.

Applications are now available in the Paul Miller Journalism and Broadcasting Building, room 106. Applicants must return their completed applications to room 106 no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023.

This application process involves two separate positions, EIC for Summer and EIC for Fall. Applicants can apply for one or the other, or both positions. Be sure to indicate which position(s) you wish to be considered for on the application form.

To be eligible for Editor-In-Chief, the applicant must be a student on the Stillwater campus of Oklahoma State University, be in good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation), have a grade point average of not less than 2.5, and have completed at least 60 hours toward a degree. Applicant must show evidence of having worked one semester in an editor position on The O’Colly. Students serving as an Editor-in-Chief may take up to 6 credit hours of independent study in consultation and approval of their major advisor.

An internship on a newspaper in a newsroom capacity may be substituted for one semester of service on The O’Colly. The internship must meet the requirements of the School of Media and Strategic Communications’ current internship course.

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (03/01/23). Grow financial prosperity this year. Private contemplation helps process transitions. Shift the story for winter changes, before springtime silver rains into your coffers. Summer journeys deviate routes around a challenge, orienting you and your partner to share autumn bounty. Enjoy and preserve resources.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Household issues require attention. Stick close to home. Clean and beautify spaces. Make repairs and upgrades. Action taken now has lasting benefits.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — You’re especially clever. Untangle intellectual puzzles. Write, record and express your vision and ideas. Investigate and discover solutions. Learn from experience; yours or another’s.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Notice the gap between your current income and your goal. Measurements define the game. Consider options and choose the qualifying one that’s most fun.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Personal matters take your attention. Experience plus creativity works. You can see what’s missing. Follow your heart to find what you’re looking for.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 6 — Take a refreshing pause, especially with limitations or obstacles. Regroup to organize and plan. Consider alternative options.

Can you use what you already have?

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Misunderstandings could cause a breakdown between friends. Clean a mess. Work it through. Listen to others for deeper insight. Strengthen shared support structures.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Tackle a professional challenge. Action gets results. Don’t get stuck in a loop. Assess what’s missing. Strengthen basic structures and then embellish the details.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 6 — Advance your exploration cautiously. Watch your step. Prioritize reliable routes. Or pause to clean and organize. Simplify expectations. A picnic lunch can be inexpensively delightful.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Collaborate to resolve shared financial issues. Patience is required. Review budgets and revise plans for new circumstances. Listen to an elder’s advice. Share support.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Share the load with your partner to get around a tight spot. Collaborate now and clean up later. Patiently strengthen foundational structures. Work together.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Slow the pace to recharge. Watch your step carefully or risk slipping. You can make the goal you’re after. Steady action leads to eventual prizes.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 6 — This may not look like your romantic fantasy. You can still have fun. Creative projects could get messy. Enjoy the company of someone interesting.

ACROSS

1 Pinnacle

5 Zither kin

9 Is profitable

13 Like a clown car’s passengers

15 __ palak: dish of potatoes and spinach

16 Brilliant artist beset by personal demons, say

18 Condition that may be treated with CBT

19 Hand (out)

20 Coding shortcut

21 Activities Rudolph was kept from joining 24 Dudes

25 2020 and 2022

WNBA MVP Wilson

26 Sagan who hosted the original “Cosmos”

28 Little red Corvette or little deuce coupe

30 “The French Dispatch” director Anderson

33 Southern part of the Mariana Trench

37 Certain sib

38 Engrave

39 With competence 40 “Don’t __ me started”

41 20s dispensers 43 Leafy side 49 Unsettling, in a way 50 Word on Irish coins 51 Issa of “The Lovebirds” 52 Not conforming to traditional male/ female norms, and a hint to this puzzle’s circles

55 Burn balm

56 Prison drama that was Jonathan Demme’s directorial debut

57 Multitude

By August Miller

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

32 Hidden asset?

34 Actress-turnedartist Sobieski

35 “__ Jones Sings Lady Day”: 2001 album

36 Title for Judi Dench

40 Moves smoothly 41 “Deal!”

42 Traction aid

43 Gnarls Barkley singer-songwriter Green

44 “ ... unless you’d rather do something else”

45 Summary at the start of a new season, e.g. 46 Mournful tune 47 __ blockade 48 Take care of 49 Quaint oath 53 TV pioneer 54 However briefly?

Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk