Legal Fight in Sports: A federal appeals case is drawing rare DOJ support for former WSU football coach Nick Rolovich, who says his firing over refusing the COVID vaccine violated his religious rights. Public Safety & Health: Washington’s Department of Financial Institutions is marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, warning seniors about rising fraud schemes, including AI-enabled scams. State Budget Pressure: Gov. Ferguson’s office is warning agencies to brace for a “most challenging” budget outlook, as state worker wage talks head into tougher negotiations. Environment & Science: Lawmakers are pushing the National Science Foundation to reverse plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $386M network that tracks ocean and climate data. Local Governance: Airway Heights is considering a ban on cryptocurrency kiosks after scam concerns, following Spokane’s similar move. Olympia/Region Community: A Lopez Island scholarship program awarded a record seven scholarships totaling $48,000. World Cup in Washington: Iran’s World Cup campaign is roiled by U.S.-Iran tensions, with reports the team was ordered to leave the U.S. immediately after its opener. Weather Watch: Heat advisories are expanding across the West, including parts of Washington, raising risks for outdoor workers and vulnerable residents.