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Public Media Stations Face a Funding Gap for Critical Emergency Alerts
The emergency‑alert system that has kept Washington residents safe for decades is at risk, as public‑media broadcasters across the state find themselves waiting for money that has yet to arrive. In the wake of President Trump’s administration’s budget cuts and Congress’s ongoing spending uncertainty, local stations like KCTS, KING‑TV, and the nonprofit community‑radio network are struggling to upgrade their emergency‑alert infrastructure—essential for timely warnings about severe weather, tsunamis, and other disasters.
The Importance of an Up‑to‑Date EAS
Emergency alerts are the backbone of the U.S. public‑safety system. They are transmitted through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the newer Emergency Alert System (EAS)–enabled platforms, including cable, satellite, and streaming services. When a crisis occurs—think of a Category 4 hurricane, a flash‑flood warning, or an imminent tsunami—stations are required to break into their regular programming and deliver the warning to the public within seconds.
Washington’s local stations have historically taken the lead in refining their alert capabilities. KCTS, a PBS affiliate that serves the Seattle–Tacoma area, has invested heavily in state‑of‑the‑art hardware to ensure that a 911‑style message reaches viewers instantly, even when broadband access is disrupted. KING‑TV, a major commercial station, likewise maintains a robust EAS feed that can reach millions of households across the state. When emergency alerts are delayed or mis‑delivered, lives can be lost.
Funding Cuts and a System in Limbo
The problem began in late 2021 when the Trump administration eliminated a grant program that had previously supplied public‑media stations with $3 million per year to modernize their emergency‑alert systems. The program, managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), was a result of the 2014 Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and was intended to help public‑media entities keep pace with the rapidly evolving media landscape.
Without that funding, the cost of upgrading systems has fallen into the hands of individual stations and the nonprofits that own them. In Washington, KCTS and KING‑TV have both applied for emergency‑alert upgrades under the FCC’s EAS Modernization Grant Program, which offers up to $200,000 per station. However, the FCC has not yet announced whether these grants will be awarded, and the application process is contingent on a new federal budget that is still in flux.
Adding to the uncertainty, Congress has yet to approve new funding for the FCC’s Emergency Alert System Upgrade Program, a $150 million initiative designed to modernize the nation’s alert network. While the Trump administration’s administration pledged $20 million to the program, the current House and Senate budget committees have stalled, citing concerns about “federal overreach” and “unnecessary spending.” As a result, stations in Washington have been left in a state of limbo, with no clear path to receiving the funds needed to replace aging receivers, update software, and ensure that their emergency alerts can be broadcast on emerging platforms such as mobile push notifications and smart‑speaker‑enabled devices.
A Domino Effect on Public Safety
The funding gap has a direct ripple effect on public safety. In the 2018 “Storm Sally” test conducted in Seattle, KCTS had to rely on an outdated receiver that did not fully support the new Alert, Point‑of‑Interest (APO) format—an upgrade that would allow the system to send warnings to specific neighborhoods. While the station eventually resolved the issue, the delay underscored the vulnerability that arises when equipment is not up to date.
Beyond hardware, the new EAS framework requires comprehensive staff training and rigorous testing. Public‑media stations are already stretched thin; they must maintain regular programming while also conducting drills and system tests that must be documented and reported to the FCC. Without funding, stations risk being unable to meet the minimum technical requirements that the FCC enforces, potentially exposing them to penalties and loss of broadcast license.
Voices from the Front Lines
“We’ve always been the first line of defense for communities in crisis,” says Dr. Lillian Kim, chief engineer at KCTS. “When the federal funding stream dries up, it’s not just about technology; it’s about whether we can keep that line open.”
KING‑TV’s director of public affairs, Marcus Reed, echoes that sentiment. “Our emergency‑alert system is the same one that was used to warn residents during the 2016 tsunami threat in Washington. We cannot afford to lose that capability. We’ve been working with the FCC for months, but until we see a concrete funding plan, our staff remains on standby.”
In addition, local community radio stations—many of which operate on a shoestring budget—have voiced concerns about their ability to keep up with the FCC’s Emergency Alert System Modernization mandates. A representative from the Washington Public Media Alliance, a nonprofit that coordinates public‑media outlets across the state, stated, “Our stations are essential in providing unbiased, critical information during emergencies. The lack of funding is putting a direct threat on the safety of the communities we serve.”
The Path Forward
The federal budget is a moving target, but there are signs that the issue is gaining attention. In early August, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce released a memorandum indicating that the EAS Modernization Grant Program would be included in the upcoming fiscal‑year budget. However, the final approval will depend on the broader budget negotiations.
Meanwhile, local policymakers have begun to explore alternative funding mechanisms. Seattle City Council member Maria Rodriguez has introduced a municipal ordinance that would allocate $2 million of city revenue to public‑media emergency‑alert upgrades—a measure that would serve as a model for other cities across the state.
“We can’t wait for the federal government to solve this,” Rodriguez told reporters. “Public safety is too high a price for any bureaucratic delay.”
A Call to Action
As the national debate over federal spending and public‑service infrastructure continues, the stakes for Washington’s public‑media stations—and the residents who rely on them—remain stark. The article by the Seattle Times underscores a crucial point: the safety of citizens in the face of natural disasters hinges on timely, reliable alerts that require significant investment in technology and human resources.
While the final funding decision is still on the horizon, public‑media broadcasters, lawmakers, and the community at large must stay vigilant. Without the necessary grants and support, the once‑trusted emergency‑alert system could falter, leaving millions without the warning they need to protect themselves in the next hurricane, flood, or emergency. The conversation has begun—now it is up to Washington’s public‑media network and its stakeholders to ensure that the emergency‑alert system remains robust, responsive, and ready for whatever the future holds.
Read the Full Seattle Times Article at:
[ https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/after-trump-and-congress-spending-cuts-public-media-stations-wait-on-money-for-emergency-alerts/ ]