CPB Sues FEMA Over Funding Freeze for Emergency Alert Upgrades

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting seeks to lift FEMA's unexplained hold on $38 million in congressionally approved grants for the Next Generation Warning System.

• The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) filed a federal lawsuit against FEMA, alleging the agency's pause on emergency alert system funding is unlawful and arbitrary.
• FEMA's hold impacts $38 million in grants first awarded in 2022, with a total of $136 million allocated to the Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) program through 2024.
• The funding freeze has left public media stations across the U.S. unable to receive reimbursements for nearly $1.9 million in already-incurred expenses for emergency alert upgrades.
• CPB claims the funding delay jeopardizes public safety by undermining the ability of federal, state, and local authorities to issue real-time emergency alerts to communities relying on public broadcasting.
• The lawsuit seeks a court order to lift FEMA's hold, restore grant payments, and prevent further financial harm to public media stations and CPB operations.

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