WSU Coach Vaccine Lawsuit: Nick Rolovich’s bid to overturn his firing over COVID vaccine refusal is getting rare U.S. DOJ support in federal appeals court, after internal WSU communications allegedly dismissed his Catholic beliefs as “cult-like” and prioritized brand image. World Cup Logistics & Local Politics: Seattle is running match-day bike valet and adding scooter/bike parking corrals, while Sound Transit bans bikes on light rail and Sounder trains during games. Public Safety & Heat: Thousands lost power in northern Seattle during a hottest-day-of-the-year stretch, with the cause under investigation after City Light restored service. Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Flashpoint: A King County judge is set to decide the future of Denny Blaine Park, Seattle’s unofficial nude beach, after closing arguments in a long-running dispute over nudity and alleged criminal activity. Education Watch: Washington slipped again in a national Kids Count education ranking, falling to 31st, with state officials disputing the methodology. Criminal Justice Governance: Pierce County’s charter review commission is weighing sheriff changes, including shifting the sheriff from elected to appointed and creating an ombudsman. AI Oversight in Government: Reports say Seattle has used AI to monitor 911 medical calls since 2023 without public disclosure, raising questions about transparency. Ocean Science Funding Fight: Lawmakers are pushing back on NSF plans to dismantle the $386M Ocean Observatories Initiative, calling it a likely illegal “descoping” move.