iOS 18.6 updates - no badges for messages

Since the first iOS 18.0 update, I started noticing badges for messages weren't showing, and at times the alert was not showing on the lock screen. My watch is synced to the phone, with alerts "mirroring" the phone. I'm not getting notified on the watch like I should, either. I have gotten concerned / angry calls from my husband because I haven't replied to his texts.

My settings have not changed in 4 years, when I added the watch. It isn't focus being on, because focus is ONLY over night, and this issue is during the day.

I should NOT have to unlock the phone, and open the messages app to see if there are texts!

This affects my iPhone 12Plus, and to a lesser extent, my SE.