Congressional Cuts Threaten Vital Emergency Alert Systems in Rural America

When Washington slashes funding for public media, who suffers? In this case, it’s not just inconvenient programming—it’s the very lifelines that protect Americans during emergencies. The recent defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a key federal conduit for emergency alert funds, has stalled millions dedicated to upgrading warning systems in vulnerable rural and tribal regions.How Did We Let Essential Emergency Infrastructure Slip Through the Cracks?In 2022, Congress allocated $136 million to the Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) grant program. The goal was straightforward: modernize outdated equipment that broadcasts evacuation orders, Amber alerts, tornado warnings, and other life-saving messages...