skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Second federal judge orders temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees fired by the Trump administration; U.S., Canada political tension could affect Maine summer tourism; Report: Incarceration rates rise in MS, U.S. despite efforts at reform; MI study: HBCU students show better mental health, despite challenges.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump administration faces legal battles on birthright citizenship; the arrest of a Palestinian activist sparks protests over free speech. Conservationists voice concerns about federal job cuts impacting public lands, and Ohio invests in child wellness initiatives.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Farmers worry promised federal reimbursements aren't coming while fears mount that the Trump administration's efforts to raise cash means the sale of public lands, and rural America's shortage of doctors has many physicians skipping retirement.

ND farmer: Weather Service cuts threaten science of farming

play audio
Play

Monday, March 3, 2025   

Knowing weather patterns is part of farmers' skillset, helping them protect their land and profits.

But a North Dakota producer worries about the future of those tools as the Trump administration cuts staff at the National Weather Service.

Reports surfaced late last week that hundreds of probationary employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were let go as the Trump administration re-shapes the federal workforce through massive layoffs.

Additional layoffs are excepted. The National Weather Service is a component of NOAA, and North Dakota Farmer Tyler Stafslien said it's a tremendous asset.

"If you're considering planting in the spring, and you go to the NWS website and you see that there's gonna be a ton of moisture in ten days or seven days from now," said Stafslien, "you might go a little harder to try to get the crop in, knowing that likely you're going to have to shut down when that moisture gets there."

Stafslien added that long-range weather outlooks help avoid planting too much fertilizer.

He said there are other weather sources he pays for, but the free National Weather Service forecasts tend to be more accurate.

It's unclear how the layoffs will impact operations, but observers say even small disruptions to data collection for forecast models could hinder accuracy.

The administration says massive layoffs are needed to cut waste.

Beyond the Weather Service cuts, Stafslien said he worries about another trade war taking shape under a new Trump administration. This week, tariffs involving Canada and Mexico could go into effect.

Stafslien said he felt the impact of similar moves during Trump's first term. He eventually got emergency relief, but stressed that's not something farmers want to plan for.

"We'd rather not have to wonder," said Stafslien, "whether or not there will be some ad-hoc disaster program that's keep us from going into bankruptcy, frankly."

Advocates for independent farmers say they want policymakers to instead help find other global markets to send their products to.

Stafslien, a North Dakota Farmers Union board member, said he also worries about U.S. Department of Agriculture layoffs hurting farmers in need of technical assistance for loan applications or navigating conservation programs.

He said he's still waiting on full payment for sustainability efforts.

The agency is trying to rehire some staff that had been focused on bird-flu mitigation.



Disclosure: North Dakota Farmers Union contributes to our fund for reporting on Rural/Farming. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
According to Wisconsin's Judicial Code of Conduct, judges are not required to recuse themselves based on an endorsement or campaign contributions. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Early voting for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race starts next week and, although the seat is technically nonpartisan, both candidates have clear …


Environment

play sound

As the warming climate continues to reshape the environment, its impact on people's health is becoming increasingly evident in Florida. Doctors and …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Maryland is facing a $3 billion budget deficit, and planned cuts in 2026 would include millions in disability assistance. But one advocate says those …


A rally for property tax cuts is set for Monday at the Indiana Statehouse. Organizers have encouraged attendees to wear green to signal their opposition to high property taxes. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Indiana lawmakers introduced a third property tax plan this week, aiming to protect local governments from funding cuts while offering minimal relief …

Social Issues

play sound

Nearly half of Americans age 50 and older are using credit cards to pay for basic living expenses, according to a new AARP survey, and a Minnesota …

Expanded oil and gas subsidies, included in current versions of upcoming federal tax legislation, would support a massive expansion of LNG projects to more than double national export capacity by 2030. (Jeeraphun/Adobe Stock)

play sound

Forty religious leaders from different denominations gathered in Texas this week to call for an end to fossil-fuel subsidies and expansion of related …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that Black students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Blac…

Environment

play sound

The Sierra Club's Utah chapter said electric utility PacifiCorp's long-term plan to embrace renewable energy has changed and is now placing more relia…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021