Bombshell report claims major US government website likely to be shut down after almost all staff fired
A major central US government website
Climate.gov
,
NOAA
's portal to the work of their Climate Program Office, will likely soon shut down as most of the staff charged with maintaining it were fired on 31 May, The Guardian reported. The website that educates the public about climate science may soon cease to publish new material following a mass firing of its content team.
Climate.gov will imminently no longer publish new content, according to multiple former staff responsible for the site's content whose contracts were recently terminated.
ALSO READ:
2024 US Presidential election is under scrutiny as lawsuit claims discrepancies in Rockland County, New York
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Homeowners Are Turning to Solar to Lower Their Bills
Solar Panels | Search Ads
Learn More
Undo
US govt website shuts down
Climate.gov is one of the most widely used climate science resources online, receiving hundreds of thousands of visits monthly, The Guardian noted in its report. 'The entire content production staff at climate.gov (including me) were let go from our government contract on 31 May,' said a former government contractor who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. 'We were told that our positions within the contract were being eliminated.'
The layoffs are the latest in the wave of cutbacks taken by the Trump administration that have already fired several federal government employees and agencies, including the Department of Education, Food and Drug Administration, and NOAA.
Live Events
The content production team at Climate.gov, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was abruptly terminated at the end of May, a former contractor among those terminated told the paper anonymously. Noaa has been contacted for comment. It is unclear whether the website will remain visible to the public.
ALSO READ:
Air India plane crash: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'heartbroken' over fatal tragedy that left over 200 dead
Rebecca Lindsey, the website's former program manager, who was fired in February as part of the government's purge of probationary employees, told The Guardian, "'I had gotten a stellar performance review, gotten a bonus, gotten a raise. I was performing very well. And then I was part of that group who got the form letter saying, 'Your knowledge, skills, and abilities are no longer of use to Noaa' – or something to that effect.' "It was a very deliberate, targeted attack,"
Lindsey said the site's funding was stripped during contract negotiations due to pressure from higher-level officials. The 10 or so content staff were supported by NOAA scientists. The site was housed in the agency's science wing rather than its public affairs division, and was designed to maintain political neutrality and scientific accuracy, she told the outlet.
"We operated exactly how you would want an independent, nonpartisan communications group to operate," Lindsey said.
ALSO READ:
US Open 2025: Where to watch golf coverage online for free, live schedule, coverage and other details
"It does seem to be part of this sort of slow and quiet way of trying to keep science agencies from providing information to the American public about climate." The fired staff believe the changes to climate.gov were targeted by political appointees within the Trump administration and specifically aimed at restricting public-facing climate information.
Tom Di Liberto, a former spokesperson for the NOAA who was fired earlier this year told the outlet: "It's targeted, I think it's clear." "They only fired a handful of people, and it just so happened to be the entire content team for climate.gov. I mean, that's a clear signal."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
UDF leaders object, vehicle check sparks controversy
Kochi: If a blue suitcase stole the spotlight during the Palakkad bypoll, a vehicle inspection in Nilambur has now sparked fresh controversy. UDF MP Shafi Parambil and MLA Rahul Mamkootathil were travelling together when officials waved down their vehicle for inspection on Friday. A video of the inspection, in which the UDF leaders can be seen arguing with the officials, visibly irked over the checking, was widely shared on social media. In the video, Rahul questions the random checking of MPs' vehicles, while Shafi can be heard saying that the problem was not about checking MPs' vehicles but of only checking UDF lawmakers' vehicles. Rahul was also seen raising his voice and arguing with an official, accusing him of being biased. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Shafi said the intention was to insult and not to inspect. Answering questions on whether it was right to threaten the officials, Shafi said if the intention was inspection alone, then they did not wish to say anything, but that was not the case. He said they cooperated since the officials have the right to conduct inspections. Shafi said when he got out of the car, he was asked to open the boot of the car and take out the suitcases. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo But the officials didn't check the boxes when he took them out. He added that they objected to this as the officials must check and certify that nothing was found in the suitcases. Shafi said they raised a question as to whether they are inspecting vehicles of other political parties. He said that to their knowledge, it has not happened, which is why they felt suspicious about the checking. In the backdrop of the development, Malappuram district collector V R Vinod issued a statement urging public to cooperate with inspections. He said that media reports related to the officers appointed as part of the implementation of the Nilambur bypoll code of conduct have come to his attention and that the people should cooperate with the inspections to ensure free, fair and transparent election processes. Vinod said these are mandatory measures as per the Election Act and the guidelines issued by the Indian Election Commission. Static surveillance teams are setting up temporary check posts and conducting vehicle inspections in key places in the constituency. These teams are working 24 hours a day. Each static surveillance team has a gazetted officer, two other officers, a videographer and a civil police officer, he added. Responsibilities given to employees of static surveillance teams include comprehensive inspection of vehicles. The entire inspection process is captured in the video. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Close watch on ward delimitation, process should be fair: Satej Patil
Kolhapur: State govt assumed control of ward restructuring for local body elections from the state election commission two years ago. Congress MLC Satej Patil , who heads the party in the state legislative council, said the Maha Vikas Aghadi opposes this move and will monitor the ward structuring closely, as it could influence voting patterns in favour of those managing the process. Patil talked on this topic while attending a notebook distribution event for students, a charitable initiative he has maintained for 20 years on his birthday. He said the ward structuring and delimitation process for municipal corporations, zilla parishads, and municipal councils has begun, following the Supreme Court's directive to align with the 2011 census. "Two years ago, govt took the authority to carry out the delimitation of the wards to itself — urban development department and rural development department. We object to this. However, we want all the officers chairing the process to not get under pressure and carry out the delimitation fairly. Maha Vikas Aghadi is keeping a close watch on the delimitation process for every ward across the state," said Patil. The recent departure of several close associates to other parties has been viewed as a setback for Patil and Congress. "Similar situations have come in my life multiple times. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Florencio Varela (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo Who left doesn't affect us at all. We are confident that the common people, who see hope in us and are sure that we will lead their struggle, will always be behind me. People have not liked the recent political developments," said Patil. Regarding Gokul Dairy's political situation, Patil acknowledged feeling isolated. Minister Hasan Mushrif, whose son Navid became the dairy's chairman, said: "Him saying that he is left alone is, in a way, accepting defeat before the struggle. People start leaving when someone says something with a defeatist mindset. They should instead say that they will struggle and win." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
41 minutes ago
- First Post
Putin slams Israeli strikes on Iran in call with Trump, warns of ‘unpredictable' fallout in West Asia
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump for 50 minutes on Saturday, condemning the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressing concern about the risks of escalation. read more Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 50-minute phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Saturday during which he sharply criticised Israel's recent military action against Iran and warned of the potential for dangerous escalation in West Asia, according to the Kremlin. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters, 'Vladimir Putin condemned Israel's military operation against Iran and expressed serious concern about a possible escalation of the conflict, which would have unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in West Asia,'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ushakov noted that President Trump also viewed the situation in the region as 'very alarming.' Despite the tensions, both leaders agreed that the possibility of resuming negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme should not be ruled out. On the issue of Ukraine, Putin conveyed to Trump that Moscow remains open to continuing talks with Kyiv after June 22, according to Russia's RIA news agency. Trump, for his part, reaffirmed his desire for a swift resolution to the conflict, Ushakov added. Putin also congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday. Meanwhile, Israel on Saturday threatened to strike 'every target of the ayatollah regime' in Iran, whose president warned of a severe response if the Israeli attacks continue, fuelling fears of an escalating conflict. The threats came as the two longtime foes exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed an unprecedented aerial bombing campaign, which scuppered plans for a new round of Iran-US nuclear talks Sunday. The Israeli strikes since Friday hit military and nuclear sites in Iran, and according to officials killed dozens, including top army and Revolutionary Guards commanders as well as civilians. Iran responded with barrages of drones and missiles fired at Israel overnight. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that 'the continuation of the Zionist aggression will be met with a more severe and powerful response from the Iranian armed forces.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to a statement from his office, Pezeshkian condemned Washington's 'dishonesty' for supporting Israel while the United States was engaged in nuclear talks with Iran – which mediator Oman said would no longer take place on Sunday, when a sixth round had been scheduled. With inputs from agencies
