[EAS] Senate Bill Could Cut NWS Offices from 122 to 6

[Bill Ruck]

One of the larger radio chains decided to centralize their traffic reporting.

S F Bay Area traffic reports now comes from TX.  They haven't been 
able to pronounce any of the street names correctly and have no clue 
about geography.  It is more than amusing.  But they are saving money.

While Weather Guessers (USN name)* no longer have to step outside to 
look at the clouds, they NEED local knowledge.

Progress.

Bill Ruck
Curmudgeon
San Francisco

* True story from my active duty USN days.  Stationed at NAS 
Alameda.  Several pilots were getting ready for a training flight and 
were concerned about the black clouds.  Asked me to call NAS Alameda 
Weather Guessers (Aerographer's Mates).  Called the tower and was 
told "3,00 broken".  I asked them where they were.  "NAS Alameda 
tower, sir".  I told them I was in Hangar 20 and it was 
pouring.  Long pause.  (I guess they looked out the 
window).  "Updated local weather, sir.  Ceiling 200 feet in heavy rain."