After a federal judge questioned the hefty payout that a law firm would receive from the city's approximately $575 million settlement for sick 9/11 responders, the Daily News reports the law firm "grudgingly agreed to forgo $85 million in legal fees." Apparently Worby Groner Edelman & Napoli Bern told judge Alvin Hellerstein that it was willing to accept 20%—instead of 30%—for $115 million. How generous? more ›

Yesterday, Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler held a press conference asking President Obama to reappoint Dr. John Howard as the 9/11 health czar. Howard, who supported the federal funding of programs to monitor and treat ground zero workers sickened by September 11 conditions, had "tensions" with his boss at the CDC, and his appointment was not renewed. Maloney said, “The Bush administration made a good decision in appointing Dr. Howard and a typically bad move in letting him go," noting that Dr. Howard, "built the federal government’s 9/11 health programs from the ground up." Additionally, Maloney, Nadler, Peter King and Michael McMahon hailed the $70 million in funding from a House bill that will help cover WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program. Nadler said, "This money is literally a lifeline for thousands of first responders and community members who are sick as a result of exposure to 9/11 contaminants. Ultimately, though, our best way forward now is to pass the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to ensure that, each and every year, there is enough funding for those living with 9/11-borne illnesses." more ›

Late Thursday, right before the long July 4th weekend, it was announced the Bush administration had declined to keep on the World Trade Center health czar. Dr. John Howard was the director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health within the Center for Disease Control and had much support--last Wednesday, Governor David Paterson asked President Bush to extend Howard's term, noting his "pivotal role" in 9/11 health efforts. more ›