WTC Health Program rehires 37 staff after DOGE cuts

The World Trade Center Health Program will add 37 employees to its staff by the end of the year, according to information provided to Congress. The Department of Health and Human Services notified lawmakers in April that the program has received approval to fully staff 120 total positions.

This hiring push follows a period of federal staffing reductions by the Department of Government Efficiency, which critics argue weakened the agency's capacity. Those cuts left a backlog of claims, forcing survivors to wait longer for medical screenings and cancer treatments. Advocates have questioned the pace of the rehiring process since the cuts were announced earlier this year.

Separately, the Mississippi River Delta faces physical erosion. The region covers roughly 2.7 million acres and holds the largest area of brackish marsh on the North American continent. This wetland system supports fisheries, wildlife habitat, and serves as a key flyway for migrating birds. However, the Louisiana coast is sinking and disappearing faster than other areas on Earth.

In education, the shortage of school bus drivers continues to affect families. The number of employed drivers in the United States dropped from 223,252 in August 2019 to 202,076 in August 2025. This represents a nearly 10% decline over six years. Some parents report that their children experience canceled or delayed bus routes with increasing frequency.

At Winneconne Middle School, seventh graders in Susan Meunier’s leadership class are painting pet portraits for a community project. The students trace and paint the animals as part of the classroom initiative.