By — Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-senate-committee-weighs-emergency-alert-system-after-hawaiis-false-alarm Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Senate committee weighs emergency alert system after Hawaii’s false alarm Politics Jan 25, 2018 10:20 AM EDT A Senate committee will evaluate the Emergency Alert Systems after a recent alarm falsely alerted Hawaiians about an incoming ballistic missile. The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, chaired by Sen. John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, explored the system’s effectiveness, including its use of wireless alerts. On Jan. 13, Hawaiians received an early-morning message on phones and television, that read, “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.” The message was sent by accident, but was not corrected for nearly 40 minutes. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam is the Health Reporter and Coordinating Producer for Polling for the PBS NewsHour, where she has also worked as the Data Producer. Follow @LauraSanthanam @LauraSanthanam
A Senate committee will evaluate the Emergency Alert Systems after a recent alarm falsely alerted Hawaiians about an incoming ballistic missile. The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, chaired by Sen. John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, explored the system’s effectiveness, including its use of wireless alerts. On Jan. 13, Hawaiians received an early-morning message on phones and television, that read, “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.” The message was sent by accident, but was not corrected for nearly 40 minutes. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now