For a long while the best grid we knew of scored 95 points. In early 2024, puzzler Laura reached out to us with an improved grid (above left), which scores 98 points. Her grid contains these states:

• ARKANSAS (8)
• COLORADO (8)
• INDIANA (7)
• KANSAS (6)
• LOUISIANA (9)
• NEBRASKA (8)
• NORTHCAROLINA (13)
• NORTHDAKOTA (11)
• SOUTHCAROLINA (13)
• SOUTHDAKOTA (11)
• UTAH (4)

After reviving the theme in 2024, we received a handful of grids that scored even higher. The best one we have received so far comes courtesy of Luke Yang, whose grid (above right) scores a whopping 123 points. It contains the following states:

• ARKANSAS (8)
• HAWAII (6)
• IDAHO (5)
• ILLINOIS (8)
• INDIANA (7)
• IOWA (4)
• KANSAS (6)
• LOUISIANA (9)
• NORTHCAROLINA (13)
• NORTHDAKOTA (11)
• OHIO (4)
• OKLAHOMA (8)
• SOUTHCAROLINA (13)
• SOUTHDAKOTA (11)
• UTAH (4)

If you can do better, feel free to send us your grid!