puzzle

ACROSS

  1 ___ squad (team of beauty experts)

  5 They may clash in a boardroom

  9 Airport screening org.

 12 The Hawkeye State

 13 Deserve

 14 Bed that might hold a baby monitor

 15 *Super chaotic situation

 17 The "M" of STEM

 18 Actor Danson

 19 Tender cut of meat

 20 Mega Millions, e.g.

 21 *Sommelier's vessel

 24 Slam on the accelerator

 27 Three-letter deli order

 28 Surgeons' domains: Abbr.

 29 "Hallelujah!"

 30 Person copying off someone else's test

 33 *Requesting a customized cake, perhaps

 38 Downward journey

 39 Titular Disney character seeking a dragon

 40 "___ a Wonderful Life"

 42 Singer and actress Salonga

 43 Walk unhurriedly

 44 *Percussive marching band member

 49 Cream-filled snack cakes

 50 Tusked wild beast

 51 Cards checked by 9-Across

 54 Not much

 55 Period when criticism might pour in, and a hint to the words that bookend the starred clues' answers

 58 Microscope part

 59 Livens (up)

 60 What's in it for the long haul?

 61 It may be dropped on a trip

 62 Backtalk

 63 Hold on to


DOWN

  1 Birthday present, e.g.

  2 Passed-down stories

  3 Flabbergasted

  4 Astronaut Jemison

  5 Like things in the uncanny valley

  6 ___ Ole Opry

  7 Frying liquid

  8 Gateway Arch city: Abbr.

  9 Italian eateries

 10 Parents' date night hire

 11 Despises

 13 "Goodnight ___" (kids' book)

 14 "Puh-leeze!"

 16 Dart like a hummingbird

 20 Coffee drink often topped with art

 21 Recoil in pain

 22 Movie critic Roger

 23 Dressed (in)

 24 One of 11 on the periodic table

 25 Work-from-home job?

 26 Can't do it alone

 30 Understandable

 31 Sweetie

 32 Slip-up

 34 Tropical vacation destinations

 35 Got a perfect score on

 36 Ball-dropping occasion, briefly

 37 Pride 

40 "Consider it done," formally

 41 Securities backed by the govt.

 43 ___ mortal

 45 Some pretzel shapes

 46 Taxi alternatives

 47 Monastery residents

 48 Church service

 51 "Got it"

 52 Feature of some stadiums

 53 Short cut?

 55 Word after "covert" or "photo"

 56 Pod veggie

 57 Query

solution