Key takeaways from the recent news articles:

• President Trump has nominated Neil Jacobs to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) once again.
• Jacobs has faced significant criticism due to his involvement in the "Sharpiegate" incident during Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
• His nomination is expected to face Senate confirmation, where GOP holds the majority.
• Concerns have been raised about potential political interference in scientific integrity within NOAA under Jacobs' leadership.

President Donald Trump has officially nominated Neil Jacobs to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) once again, despite Jacobs' controversial history, which includes enduring scrutiny from the infamous "Sharpiegate" incident. Jacobs, who previously served as NOAA's acting administrator during part of the first Trump administration, brings over two decades of experience in atmospheric science to the position.

Jacobs' association with Sharpiegate began when, in September 2019, President Trump tweeted that Alabama was likely to be impacted by Hurricane Dorian. This statement contradicted official forecasts from NOAA, which indicated the hurricane posed no threat to Alabama. Following Trump's assertion, Jacobs faced significant pressure to back the President's claim, leading NOAA to issue a statement that criticized its own forecasters. This action drew widespread condemnation, including remarks from former NOAA deputy director Andrew Rosenberg who stated that Jacobs "compromised the scientific integrity of NOAA."

In the aftermath of Dorian, investigations revealed that Jacobs had acted under intense political pressure from the White House. Reports stated that he had violated ethical standards by not effectively involving the Birmingham Office of the National Weather Service in NOAA's subsequent statement. The Department of Commerce's inspector general criticized the management for unnecessarily rebuking forecasters for issuing a precise public safety message.

Despite these controversies, some in the meteorological community have expressed support for Jacobs' nomination. Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor, described him as a "strong pick," while the Maine-based Fishing Communities Coalition highlighted Jacobs' expertise as vital for navigating the complex challenges facing commercial fishing and environmental protection.

Jacobs holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics and has earned both master's and doctoral degrees in atmospheric science. Before his tenure at NOAA, he worked in both the public and private sectors and played a key role at Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

As head of NOAA, Jacobs will oversee critical functions, including weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and marine resource management. With an annual budget of approximately $7 billion and a workforce of nearly 12,000 employees, NOAA plays a pivotal role in environmental science and public safety. Jacobs' nomination will be subject to Senate confirmation, where the balance of political power may influence the outcome.

For additional information, you can read more from CBS News and USA Today.