Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper, by Greg Johnson, is an easy one — another good Stumper for anyone who fears the Stumper. I skipped 1-A, seven letters, “Instances of indifference” and started with 8-A, seven letters, “Concerning,” which gave me one corner of the puzzle — and more. Hooray for 8-A.

Some clues of note (four of which I’m skeptical about):

10-D, ten letters, “Great Lakes region.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard or seen the answer. Life-long learning!

15-A, seven letters, “Williams title topper.” I thought it must have something to do with tennis and a Grand Slam.

17-A, fifteen letters, “‘Clean it up, roomie!’” Who says “roomie”? And who would say the answer to a roommate? More plausible clues: “Don’t expect me to do it,” “Spousal protest.”

23-A, six letters, “Bermudas-backwards beer brand.” This strange clue becomes much less strange when you remember that it’s in a Saturday Stumper.

29-D, six letters, “Kid-lit quadruped since 1940.” Hooray for 29-D.

34-D, nine letters, “Animalistic persona.” I may not know enough about 34-D, but I think “Animalistic state” would be more precise.

35-A, five letters, “Tutor’s lofty promise.” No. There’s nothing lofty about it. And how can it be 35-A if you’ve had to seek out a tutor?

43-A, three letters, “Once-over ender.” One of my favorite clues in the puzzle. So oblique.

61-A, five letters, “Swift, e.g.” My other favorite clue. My first thought was SATIRIST.

64-A, seven letters, “How some cave fish evolved.” The answer calls for an adverb. An alternative clue: “Like Samson in Gaza.”

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.