Monday, June 1, 2026 — A round of applause, if you please, for the CLAPOMETER 😀 👏

This was Kenneth Cortes' third NYTimes crossword, and it was splendid. The theme was memorable and unique, and there were some other gems among the rest of the clues. These include a clue that has is making its second appearance in about two weeks, welcome back 42D, Shiba ___ (Japanese hunting dog), INU; a university that, alas, its namesake hasn't deigned to donate to, 50A, North Carolina university, ELON; the national drink of Puerto Rico, 43D, Piña ___, COLADA.There were mo...