Sentencing in DUI injury case: A Yakima judge increased a DUI-related vehicular assault sentence for Zoe Harding’s crash, rejecting a state recommendation tied to an Alford plea and imposing the maximum nine months, while federal exposure for injuries to a passenger remains possible. Local law enforcement leadership: Lakewood fired Police Chief Patrick Smith two weeks after placing him on administrative leave, citing unresolved findings tied to union no-confidence votes; the city has not released details. Olympia labor pressure: Washington state workers staged a one-hour walkout in Olympia as contract talks near an Oct. 1 ratification deadline, rejecting furloughs and cuts. First Amendment at UW: The University of Washington paid $600,000 to settle a case over retaliation against professor Stuart Reges for parodying a land-acknowledgment syllabus, after a Ninth Circuit ruling. Public records/open meetings dispute: Gov. Bob Ferguson said he won’t remove two Fish and Wildlife commissioners despite an investigator finding public-records and conflict-of-interest violations. Mail voting warning: Washington officials warned USPS changes could delay ballots and increase late rejections ahead of November. Spokane parks land fight: DNR will seek state funding next year to transfer the Thorpe Road property to Spokane parks, after a city pause blocked a prior move toward private development. Tech surveillance debate: A new push to limit cellphone use in schools is expected to be pre-filed for the next legislative session.