New York Times Issues Urgent Alert

Taylor Keatsman

Published: January 24, 2026 8:06 PM ET

The New York Times has issued an urgent alert regarding an intriguing crossword puzzle, crafted by Mark MacLachlan, a chemistry professor at the University of British Columbia. MacLachlan, who has a passion for crosswords dating back to his postdoctoral days at MIT, has contributed this puzzle as his fifth for the Times.

Unique Theme and Clues

The puzzle’s theme is titled “Alert! Alert!” and cleverly intertwines computer-related humor with puzzle-solving.

Entries at 23-, 43-, 51-, 70-, 91-, 98-, and 122-Across form the theme set.
No revealer is present, making the challenge more engaging.
Initial entries can be deduced using intersecting letters.

Highlighted Entries

43-Across: Solves to RUNTIME ERROR, a term familiar to anyone who has encountered software glitches.
51-Across: The answer is VIRUS DETECTED, showcasing clever wordplay.
70-Across: References a common frustration with WINDOWS UPDATE FAILED.
91-Across: Offers STACK OVERFLOW, relating to programming issues and its popular troubleshooting site.

Challenging Clues and Trivia

Several clues present unique challenges and thought-provoking trivia.

25-Across: A [Triangular sail] is identified as LATEEN.
127-Across: Chips go into ONION DIP, a food-related clue contrasting with digital terms.
15-Down: Peter Falk’s [prosthetic facial feature] is a GLASS EYE, connected to his iconic role in “Columbo.”
40-Down: A CARTRIDGE represents a retro purchase for Atari 2600 games.
55-Down: An ACCESS LOG is described as a record of events in computing.

Constructor’s Note

Mark MacLachlan expressed his excitement about introducing this puzzle. He mentioned the challenge of selecting real error messages without repeating any words. He appreciated the feedback and editing support from The New York Times team. The puzzle integrates various themes, including computer-related terms and hints of chemistry.

Engagement and Feedback

Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences solving the puzzle. Additionally, subscribers can access the answer key to further enhance their crossword-solving strategies.