National Hurricane Center Staff Mutinies

Friday July 6, 2007 4:01 AM

By JOHN PAIN

Associated Press Writer

MIAMI (AP) - Nearly half the National Hurricane Center's employees urged the federal government to replace their boss Thursday, saying they need to return their focus to protecting people from dangerous tropical weather.

A growing number of staffers believe that center Director Bill Proenza has damaged public confidence in their ability to forecast storms. Proenza has repeatedly and publicly criticized the government for failing to provide enough funding and to replace an aging weather satellite.