"Weather Service Prepares for 'Degraded Operations' Amid Trump Cuts" Article Reflection No. 134 (4/21/2025)

Article: “Weather Service Prepares for ‘Degraded Operations’ Amid Trump Cuts”

Reflection:

In the article “Weather Service Prepares for ‘Degraded Operations’ Amid Trump Cuts,” journalist Lisa Friedman discusses how the current administration’s cuts to the National Weather Service have impacted and are expected to impact the sector, with hundreds of people gone from the NOAA and hundreds more to leave. Critics like Democrat Representative Zoe Lofgren claim that the actions were placing “lifesaving work” in danger, according to the article. The article discusses how the administration’s actions contributed to a halt in storm warning language translations and launches for weather balloons with the lack of employees. 

I chose this article because it follows up on a previous article that I reflected on several posts ago. The development of this event is honestly really discouraging because providing updated, accurate, and clear information on weather is important for public health. In a sector that impacts so many people across the globe, including so many Americans, I wish there was more prioritization to maintain staffing levels in the National Weather Service sector.