'Detroit Free Press' Gives Revamped 'L.A. Times' Crossword Puzzle a Spin

Posted Monday, June 22, 2009 12:00 am

By: E&P Staff The Detroit Free Press is trying its best to please its word-puzzle fans, Managing Editor Julie Topping writes today.

In March, the Freep ended its long-running crossword, following the retirement of its writer, Wayne Williams. It was replaced with Tribune Media Services (TMS)? Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle. But reader feedback suggested the clues were too California-centric and frustrating.

So the Free Press replaced that with the Commuter Puzzle, which readers complained wasn?t challenging enough, according to Topping.

TMS heard similar complaints from other newspapers, the managing editor writes, and the syndicate has tweaked the Los Angeles Times puzzle to give it more of a national flavor. Now the Free Press is giving it a second chance.

Those interested in commenting on the ?new and improved? Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle can contact Topping at crossword@freepress.com.

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'Detroit Free Press' Gives Revamped 'L.A. Times' Crossword Puzzle a Spin

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