Federal DOGE layoffs and hiring freezes continue to hit Oregon as local offices of the National Weather Service are down to about 30% to 40% of its workforce, the Statesman Journal reports. The NWS plays a critical role in monitoring, predicting and delivering expected weather conditions, as well as issuing warnings about potential weather-related dangers. The NWS isn’t just relied on by the general public, but also by the Columbia River Bar Pilots, an organization responsible for helping navigate ships, cargo and crew through the treacherous waters of the Columbia River Bar. Dan Jordan is an administrator for the bar pilots. He joins us to share more on how federal layoffs could affect thousands of ships in the future
Think Out Loud