News Gist .News

Articles | Politics | Finance | Stocks | Crypto | AI | Technology | Science | Gaming | PC Hardware | Laptops | Smartphones | Archive

Cutting Staff at Us National Parks and Forests Sparks Outrage as Summer Nears

Cuts to staff at national parks and forests have triggered a growing backlash, with employees concerned for public safety and wildlife conservation. The Trump administration's steep reductions in staffing have already been felt by visitors, who are seeing longer park entrance lines, reduced hours at visitor centers, trails closed, and dirty public facilities. As summer approaches, the impact of these cuts is becoming increasingly apparent.

See Also

Federal Government Downsizes Workforce Amid Remote Return Δ1.75

The Office of Personnel Management greeted remote federal workers with balloons, candy, and handshakes on their first day back in the office amid layoffs and cost-cutting measures. Many employees had worked remotely for years, but under President Trump's orders, they were forced to return to the office as part of a broader effort to downsize the federal workforce. The scene was met with dismay by some workers who felt that the welcome-back effort was tone-deaf and mean-spirited.

Federal Worker Cuts to Hit National Security Hard Δ1.75

Former top U.S. cybersecurity official Rob Joyce warned lawmakers on Wednesday that cuts to federal probationary employees will have a "devastating impact" on U.S. national security. The elimination of these workers, who are responsible for hunting and eradicating cyber threats, will destroy a critical pipeline of talent, according to Joyce. As a result, the U.S. government's ability to protect itself from sophisticated cyber attacks may be severely compromised. The probe into China's hacking campaign by the Chinese Communist Party has significant implications for national security.

US Labor Department Reinstates Workers Targeted in Trump Job Cuts, Union Says Δ1.75

The U.S. Department of Labor has reinstated about 120 employees who were facing termination as part of the Trump administration's mass firings of recently hired workers, a union said on Friday. The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, said the probationary employees had been reinstated immediately and the department was issuing letters telling them to report back to duty on Monday. This decision reverses earlier actions taken by the Labor Department, which had placed some employees on administrative leave.

Layoffs at Noaa to Put American Lives at Risk Δ1.74

Scientists warn that Trump administration's firing of hundreds of workers at NOAA will put lives at risk and stifle crucial climate research.The layoffs at the agency, which provides critical information on weather emergencies, include scientists working on data for forecasts among those fired.NOAA's work spans climate modeling, radar system maintenance, and more.In addition to everyday forecasting, NOAA provides crucial information to help Americans survive weather emergencies.The cuts come at a time when scientists say climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and wildfires.

US Plans to Fire 80,000 Veterans Affairs Workers as Part of Trump Cuts, Sparking Backlash Δ1.74

The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning a drastic reduction in staff, with an expected loss of over 80,000 workers, aimed at returning the agency to its staffing levels from 2019. This move has drawn strong condemnation from military veteran groups and Democrats, who see it as a betrayal of those who have served. The cuts will likely have a significant impact on the care provided to veterans, with critics warning that it could put their health benefits in "grave danger".

DOGE Job Cuts Bring Pain to Trump Heartland Δ1.74

The mass firings of federal workers, including those in West Virginia, have sparked a backlash among supporters of President Trump, with some renouncing their allegiance to the administration. The layoffs, which have affected over 125 people in Parkersburg, West Virginia, are seen as a devastating blow to the local community that voted overwhelmingly for Trump in the November election. As many residents expressed sympathy for the former employees, they also acknowledged the need for government efficiency and cost-cutting measures.

US Job Cuts Surge 245% in February Due to Federal Government Layoffs Δ1.74

Layoffs announced by US-employers jumped to levels not seen since the last two recessions amid mass federal government job cuts, canceled contracts, and fears of trade wars. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is wielding the axe on public spending, an exercise that has resulted in funding freezes, deep spending cuts, and the purging of thousands of federal government workers. The resulting job losses are having a ripple effect across the economy.

Trump Administration Cuts May Threaten AI Research Efforts. Δ1.74

The Trump Administration has dismissed several National Science Foundation employees with expertise in artificial intelligence, jeopardizing crucial AI research support provided by the agency. This upheaval, particularly affecting the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, has led to the postponement and cancellation of critical funding review panels, thereby stalling important AI projects. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from AI experts, including Nobel Laureate Geoffrey Hinton, who voiced concerns over the detrimental impact on scientific institutions.

UN Rights Chief Deeply Worried About Direction of US Policy Under Trump Δ1.73

The United Nations rights chief expressed deep concern on Monday about a "fundamental shift in direction" by the United States under President Donald Trump, warning that divisive rhetoric is being used to deceive and polarise people. Policies intended to protect people from discrimination are now labelled as discriminatory, while sweeping cuts to domestic social safety nets, climate finance, and foreign aid signal a massive setback for human rights protection. Civilians suffering from 120 global conflicts, Turk says the international system risks collapse due to such shifts.

US Faces Devastating Losses for Weather Forecasts, Federal Workers Say Δ1.73

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has canceled leases for research centers and slashed its staff, resulting in "devastating" effects on the agency's operations. The federal agency that produces weather forecasts and leads research on climate and the oceans has plans to lay off around 50 percent of its staff. Current employees are warning that these cuts will have a significant impact on the accuracy and reliability of weather forecasts.

Mass Layoffs to Hit Veterans' Affairs as Early as June Δ1.73

The Department of Veterans Affairs will begin mass layoffs, targeting more than 80,000 workers, in an effort to reduce the agency's size by at least a fifth. The planned cuts, which could be finalized by June, have been met with criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argue that they threaten veterans' health benefits. The layoffs are part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk to slash the federal government's workforce.

Government Shutdown Looms: Republicans' Last-Minute Demands Raise Risk Δ1.73

Two Democrats in Congress said on Friday that Republicans have raised the risk of a government shutdown by insisting on including cuts made by President Donald Trump's administration in legislation to keep the government operating past a mid-March deadline. Senator Patty Murray of Washington and Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrats on the committees that oversee spending, stated that the Republican proposal would give Trump too much power to spend as he pleased, even though Congress oversees federal funding. Lawmakers face a March 14 deadline to pass a bill to fund the government, or risk a government shutdown.

Trump Purge Hits Chips Act Office, Two-Fifths of Staff to Be Terminated: Report. Δ1.73

The Trump administration has laid off two-fifths of the staff at the U.S. Chips Program Office, responsible for managing the $52 billion Chips and Science Act, resulting in 60 job losses by the end of Monday. The office's budgeted funds have been contracted out, but more cuts are expected, raising concerns about the future of the program. The move is seen as a direct response to President Trump's opposition to certain stipulations included in the Biden-era Chips Office funding, such as unionization and paid parental leave.

US Board Reinstates Thousands of USDA Employees Fired by Trump Administration Δ1.73

The U.S. Merit System Protection Board has ordered the temporary reinstatement of thousands of federal workers who lost their jobs as part of President Donald Trump's layoffs of the federal workforce, following a federal judge's ruling that blocked Trump from removing the board's Democratic chair without cause. The decision brings relief to employees who were fired in February and could potentially pave the way for further reviews of similar terminations. As the administration appeals this decision, it remains unclear whether other affected workers will be reinstated.

Cybersecurity Laid Off: Former NSA Official Warns of Devastating Impact Δ1.73

A former top official, Rob Joyce, has warned that mass federal layoffs will have a devastating impact on cybersecurity and national security. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has heard concerns from Joyce, who argues that culling workers from federal departments will erode the pipeline of top talent responsible for hunting and eradicating threats. Over 100,000 federal workers have been made redundant or taken retirement as part of the new administration's plans to drastically downsize the federal government workforce.

US Takes Down List of Federal Properties for Possible Sale Δ1.73

The US government has removed a directory of federal properties listed for possible sale, including iconic landmarks such as the Old Post Office in Washington D.C., due to an "overwhelming amount of interest" received by potential buyers. The decision comes on the heels of President Donald Trump's administration announcing a downsizing effort aimed at slashing the federal workforce and saving $105 billion through lease cancellations. However, budget experts have questioned the accuracy of these figures.

FTC Staffing Cuts Undergo Terminations Δ1.73

At least a dozen probationary staffers at the Federal Trade Commission were terminated last week, with terminations taking place across the agency. The FTC's staffing cuts follow a familiar playbook driven by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), targeting probationary employees in an indiscriminate manner. The agency's internal equal opportunity office was also cut from six to three staffers.

Federal Workers Hit with Second Wave of Emails Demanding Job Details Δ1.73

The Trump administration has sent a second wave of emails to federal employees demanding that they summarize their work over the past week, following the first effort which was met with confusion and resistance from agencies. The emails, sent by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, ask workers to list five things they accomplished during the week, as part of an effort to assess the performance of government employees amid mass layoffs. This move marks a renewed push by billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency team to hold workers accountable.

Trump Axes AI Staff and Research Funding, Weakening the American AI Talent Pipeline Δ1.73

The Trump administration's recent layoffs and budget cuts to government agencies risk creating a significant impact on the future of AI research in the US. The National Science Foundation's (NSF) 170-person layoffs, including several AI experts, will inevitably throttle funding for AI research, which has led to numerous tech breakthroughs since 1950. This move could leave fewer staff to award grants and halt project funding, ultimately weakening the American AI talent pipeline.

US President Imposes Measures to Boost Lumber Supplies and Curb Wood Imports Δ1.72

The US government has taken actions to increase domestic lumber production and curb wood imports, aiming to streamline the permitting process and potentially lower housing and construction costs. The executive order signed by President Trump would allow more timber to be salvaged from forests and expand the sale of wood products. This move is seen as a response to perceived national security risks posed by subsidized lumber exports from countries such as Canada, Brazil, and Germany.

U.s. Social Security Administration to Cut 7,000 Workers Δ1.72

The U.S. government agency responsible for providing benefits to tens of millions of older Americans plans to reduce its workforce by over 12 percent, citing the need to streamline operations and eliminate non-mission critical functions. The Social Security Administration (SSA) aims to reach a staffing target of 50,000 employees from its current level of approximately 57,000 staff members. This move is part of the Trump administration's broader plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce.

Us Government Agency Layoffs Raise Concerns over Climate Change Research and Data Integrity Δ1.72

Around 880 workers, including weather forecasters, have been laid off by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a move that has raised concerns about the impact on climate change research and data integrity. The layoffs come as part of Elon Musk's efforts to reduce spending through funding cuts and firings, with many experts warning that this could compromise vital programs that rely on accurate weather forecasting and scientific data. As the US government agency responsible for monitoring the nation's oceans and atmosphere, NOAA plays a critical role in providing essential information for public safety and decision-making.

Federal Worker Layoffs: A Growing Concern Among Americans Δ1.72

A near-record number of federal workers are facing layoffs as part of cost-cutting measures by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Gregory House, a disabled veteran who served four years in the U.S. Navy, was unexpectedly terminated for "performance" issues despite receiving a glowing review just six weeks prior to completing his probation. The situation has left thousands of federal workers, including veterans like House, grappling with uncertainty about their future.

Trump Administration Targets Climate Change Information Δ1.71

The Trump administration has launched a campaign to remove climate change-related information from federal government websites, with over 200 webpages already altered or deleted. This effort is part of a broader trend of suppressing environmental data and promoting conservative ideologies online. The changes often involve subtle rewording of content or removing specific terms, such as "climate," to avoid controversy.

Trump’s FDA Cuts Are Putting Drug Development at Risk. Δ1.71

Budget and staffing cuts at the Food and Drug Administration orchestrated by President Donald Trump could prevent new drugs “from being developed, approved, or commercialized in a timely manner, or at all,” according to dozens of annual reports sent by pharmaceutical companies to the Securities and Exchange Commission in late February. The impact on clinical trials and regulatory approvals is likely to be significant, potentially slowing down the development of life-saving treatments for serious diseases. As a result, patients may face longer wait times for new medications, which could have devastating consequences for public health.