Hundreds of NOAA employees, including weather forecasters, were fired on Thursday. This involves two rounds of cuts, affecting 500 and 800 staff each, totaling approximately 1,300 job losses. Craig McLean, a former NOAA chief scientist, confirmed the numbers, representing about 10% of NOAA's workforce. The firings targeted probationary employees, including 375 from the National Weather Service. The layoffs are part of efforts led by billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, supported by former President Trump's view of an oversized federal workforce.
Rep. Grace Meng said: "Today, hundreds of employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including weather forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS), were given termination notices for no good reason. This is unconscionable." Meng emphasized the role of these employees in saving lives and protecting property. She added: "This action will only endanger American lives going forward." Rep. Jared Huffman echoed concerns about the impact on NOAA scientists and experts. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist, said: "[The job cuts] are spectacularly short-sighted, and ultimately will deal a major self-inflicted wound to the public safety of Americans and the resiliency of the American economy to weather and climate-related disasters." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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