Court Dismisses CPB Lawsuit Against FEMA Over NGWS Funding

After CPB announced plans to wind down operations, the lawsuit over $38 million in public safety upgrade funds fizzled out.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal court dismissed all claims in a lawsuit filed by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) over the Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) funding. The lawsuit was filed last March after CPB could no longer access approximately $38 million in grant funds that had been awarded through the Department of Homeland Security's fiscal year 2022 congressional appropriation for NGWS. However, after CPB announced plans to wind down operations and dissolve, the lawsuit was dismissed.

Why it matters

The dismissal of the lawsuit marks the end of a nearly yearlong battle over funding oversight for the NGWS program, which provides critical public safety and emergency alerting capabilities for public media stations across the country. The shift in program management from CPB to FEMA has raised concerns about equitable access to the funds, with some stations reporting they have not received expected subgrants from state-level NGWS awards.

The details

CPB filed the lawsuit last March because it could no longer access the $38 million in NGWS grant funds. After a federal judge denied CPB's request for a temporary restraining order, FEMA temporarily released the hold on the funding in April, but by May the NGWS funding had been cut off again. FEMA later filed a motion to dismiss CPB's lawsuit in July, days after the Senate approved the Trump administration's rescission package that wiped out nearly $1.1 billion in CPB appropriations.

  • CPB filed the lawsuit in March 2025.
  • A federal judge denied CPB's request for a temporary restraining order in April 2025.
  • FEMA temporarily released the hold on the NGWS funding in April 2025, but cut it off again by May 2025.
  • FEMA filed a motion to dismiss CPB's lawsuit in July 2025, days after the Senate approved the Trump administration's rescission package.
  • The court dismissed all claims in the lawsuit on February 27, 2026.

The players

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

The independent federal agency that provides funding to public television and radio stations across the United States.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security that coordinates the federal government's response to disasters and emergencies.

Next Generation Warning System (NGWS)

A program created and funded by Congress in fiscal year 2022 to strengthen public media stations' public safety and emergency alerting capabilities.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Lauren Adams

The general manager of KUCB in Unalaska, Alaska.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Full reimbursement for money expensed.”

— Cindy Sweat, General Manager of KSTK Stikine River Radio in Wrangell, Alaska (Current)

“NCPR is seeking other funding sources to complete the project.”

— Mitch Teich, Station Manager of North Country Public Radio in Canton, New York (Current)

What’s next

Representatives of public media stations in two states that received NGWS funds - Georgia and New Jersey - told Current they are unaware of any subgrants awarded at the state level in their areas. PBS North Carolina said it has not received a subgrant from the FEMA NGWS award to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, but expects the subgrant process to begin in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The dismissal of the CPB lawsuit against FEMA over NGWS funding marks the end of a contentious battle, but raises ongoing concerns about equitable access to the critical public safety program funds, especially as FEMA takes over direct management of the grants from states and tribal nations rather than working through CPB.