"Misstate Capitals" - by Patrick Berry -Crossword #5

[Abide]

Misstate Capitals by Patrick Berry

Attached is Crossword #5.

What thing that you might need while solving is hinted at by this puzzle?

Deadline to submit: Sunday, February 5. 6 pm EST

[markhr]

Took me a while to nail down the final step, but I finally got it.
An excellent puzzle from Patrick.

[Wendy Walker]

I have very little so far.

[Al Sisti]

I 100% agree with @markhr, except for the "but I finally got it" part. Oh right, and the "nail down the final step" part.

[markhr]

I 100% agree with @markhr, except for the "but I finally got it" part. Oh right, and the "nail down the final step" part.

And yet I’m still struggling with the WSJ, which many are finding easy. Go figure.

[Al Sisti]

I 100% agree with @markhr, except for the "but I finally got it" part. Oh right, and the "nail down the final step" part.

And yet I’m still struggling with the WSJ, which many are finding easy. Go figure.

I never understood people using the E-word. Wouldn't it be more satisfying to say "Man, that was difficult.. and I solved it in 15 minutes."

[HoldThatThought]

Easy for you to say.

(sorry, I had to)

[Meg]

Too bad there’s no prize for rabbit holes on this one. What was Patrick thinking? Is his life getting more complicated? Did he want revenge on @Abide? Can’t wait to try his next meta! I finally got it, but it took a small town.

[HoldThatThought]

I haven't, but the Fireball is one I allow myself a get out of frustration free card.

[Wendy Walker]

I would never have solved this without two generous hints. And when I say "generous," I mean both the size of the hints themselves AND the kindness of the hint-givers.

[BarbaraK]

I figured the capital letters had to be important, because why Rihanna??? Tried taking them in clue order and it started off good - O-P-E-R- but then UCUSC; nope. Later even put them in theme entry order but wasn't thinking about finding a city I'd never heard of so CUSCOPERU didn't register.