Feds plan to refill 9/11 health program staff after cuts

The Department of Health and Human Services informed lawmakers in April that the World Trade Center Health Program is approved to fully staff up to 120 positions. This plan involves rehiring 37 employees to fill vacancies created by earlier reductions.

Earlier this year, reporting on the program identified how federal staffing cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency hollowed out its workforce. Critics argue those cuts left a backlog of claims. Survivors of the September 11 attacks now face delays in medical screenings and cancer treatments as a result.

The program serves 9/11 survivors battling serious health issues. The recent staffing update aims to restore capacity to those affected by the long-term health consequences of the attacks.

In related local news, the Mississippi River Delta spans roughly 2.7 million acres. This area includes the largest brackish marsh on the North American continent. It supports fisheries, wildlife habitat, and serves as a key flyway for migrating birds. The Louisiana coast is one of the most rapidly disappearing landscapes on the planet.

School bus driver numbers in the U.S. fell nearly 10% between 2019 and 2025. Employment dropped from 223,252 drivers in August 2019 to 202,076 in August 2025. Some parents report that canceled or delayed bus routes are becoming more frequent as districts address the shortage.

At Winneconne Middle School, seventh graders are painting pet portraits for a community project. Students in Susan Meunier’s new leadership class trace and paint portraits to help animals get adopted.