On Aug. 6, players expecting their daily Mini Crossword were met with a newly implemented paywall. Previously free, the Mini now requires a $50 annual subscription to access, joining the ranks of the regular New York Times crossword.

“I think the Mini was created because the big one was paywalled,” Chemistry teacher Julia Benson said. Benson completed the Mini almost every morning before the paywall was applied. In her opinion, the Mini being paywalled “makes absolutely no sense” because it was originally intended as a substitute for the paid crossword.

Students also expressed their dismay at the Mini’s new paywall.

“Now that I can’t do it in my free time, especially when I really want to, it’s kind of just annoying,” junior Nicholas McCormick, who completed the Mini every day during the summer on his way to soccer practice, said. He has since found an alternative to the Mini: an app named My Daily Themed Crossword that, unlike NYT, is free and does not require an internet connection.

Not all players of the Mini have found substitutes, though. Some claim that they are not actively searching for one. Enriched and AP Chemistry Dana Weiland says that he “actually appreciates the minute of [his] life that [he] got back by not playing.” Weiland used to complete the Mini along with all the other NYT mini games every day as part of his morning routine. Now, he boycotts all other NYT games in protest of the paywall.

“New York Times, get rid of the paywall on the Mini,” Weiland said.

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on Oct. 2, 2025