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Staff Cuts Threaten Weather Safety Amid Privatization Push

7/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Amid staffing cuts at the National Weather Service, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces a daunting challenge in weather forecasting. The Trump administration's push to privatize weather data raises alarms about accessibility, especially with a proposed 27% budget cut to NOAA. This could jeopardize public safety during natural disasters, as seen in the recent devastating flooding in Texas.

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Story summary

Amid staffing cuts at the National Weather Service, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces a daunting challenge in weather forecasting. The Trump administration's push to privatize weather data raises alarms about accessibility, especially with a proposed 27% budget cut to NOAA. This could jeopardize public safety during natural disasters, as seen in the recent devastating flooding in Texas.