Stuck on
[11 across]: Smallest and narrowest central US state - one annoying person describes [(7)] I have P?K?EST, which suggests pokiest and would be fine for smallest, but I can't fully parse it, despite there being pest, OK, I and O = narrowest central around. I must be missing something.
[16 down]: Inform judge, ignoring second of answers [(7)] I have A?P?I?E, the I is questionable, which suggest appris(z)e for 'confirm'. Also judge could be appraise, but I don't follow 'ignoring second of answers', when it seems that the 'a' should be ignored.
All help gratefully received. Thanks in advance.