ACROSS
 8. "HIGH DOUBT" = HIDEOUT <criminals' location>
10. <sportsperson> ATHLETE = LET inside (A THE)
11. NT inside VISCOUS = VISCOUNTS <noblemen>
12. <sacrifice> FORGO = FORGOT - _T
13. <cook> STEAM = A inside STEM
15. FIGHTER outside RE = FREIGHTER <cargo ship>
17. <one of eight remaining> QUARTERFINALIST = (INQUIRERS AT FLAT)*
19. <recording> AUDIOTAPE = _O_ inside AUDIT + APE
21. <blade> SWORD = "SAWED"
23. <river-dwelling mammal> HIPPO = HIP PO
25. <supply> LOGISTICS = LOGS outside I STIC[-k]
27. ←IS RUN← N G = NURSING <medical work>
28. GUNS* after A MO = AMONG US <videogame>

DOWN
 1. <garnish> CHIVES = C_ HIVES
 2. BOO outside L = BOLO <machete>
 3. <mean> STAND FOR <bear>
 4. _H_ A_S_ S_L_E_ = HASSLE <problem>
 5. {SARGE} GEARS* <=< SHIFT GEARS <to try a new strategy>
 6. <drop> TEAR <rent>
 7. ←(.s)TAR COMED(y.)← = DEMOCRAT <politician>
 9. <overlook> DISREGARD = ←RAGERS I'D← D
14. <big city> METROPOLIS = M_E ←SILO + PORT←
16. <fitting> TAILORING = TAIL O-RING
17. <suppressing with violence> QUASHING = Q ANGUISH*
18. <character> IDEOGRAM = I (DOG outside E) RAM
20. <accuse> ALLEGE = ALL EG _E
22. (.i)DE SIST(e.) = DESIST <abstain>
24. <benefit> PERK = PER K
26. <foil> STOP = ←POTS←