37 rehires approved for WTC Health Program after DOGE cuts

The World Trade Center Health Program received approval in April to fully staff 120 positions by rehiring 37 employees. The Department of Health and Human Services shared this update with lawmakers as the program works to clear a backlog of claims. These claims involve serious health issues for survivors of the September 11 attacks.

Earlier this year, InvestigateTV reported that federal staffing cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, hollowed out the program's workforce. Critics stated that these cuts forced survivors to face long delays in medical screenings and cancer treatments. The current rehiring plan aims to restore the staff levels necessary to process these cases.

The program serves individuals battling health conditions linked to the 2001 attacks. Advocates for the survivors have questioned the pace of hiring following the initial layoffs. The approved staffing increase represents a move to stabilize the administrative and medical teams supporting the patient population.

Other segments in the recent broadcast covered environmental and local issues. The Mississippi River Delta spans roughly 2.7 million acres and contains the largest area of brackish marsh on the North American continent. This region supports vast wetlands, fisheries, and wildlife habitat for migrating birds. However, the Louisiana coast is sinking and disappearing rapidly.

The broadcast also examined the national shortage of school bus drivers. The number of employed drivers in the United States fell nearly 10 percent between August 2019 and August 2025. The workforce dropped from 223,252 drivers to 202,076 over that period. Some parents reported that their children frequently experience canceled or delayed bus routes.

A final segment focused on a community project at Winneconne Middle School. Seventh graders in Susan Meunier's leadership class are painting pet portraits. The students trace and paint images of local animals to help with adoption efforts. This project connects classroom work with a local community need.