By Richard S. Towne, KUNM General Manager

Last month, I wrote a short squib about the national Emergency Alert System test scheduled for September 20, 2018. FEMA cancelled the test in September due to the complicated communication needs of the Carolinas and eastern sea board during Hurricane Florence.
The national test has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 12:18 pm New Mexico time. Here are the details from my short squib last month with the dates adjusted for the new test. Maybe you will be getting a text at that moment.
In other news: The industry news source Inside Radio reports that FEMA will conduct the next nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on October 03 at 12:18 pm (MDT). “After conducting a first-ever national EAS test in 2011, this test will be the fourth dry run of an infrastructure designed to allow a President to speak to the country in case of a national emergency.

“FEMA will also conduct a simultaneous first-ever national test of the Wireless Emergency Alert or WEA. It will involve sending an 87-character test message to be displayed on mobile handsets. “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” My recommendation? Mark your calendars and remember, it’s only a TEST. We’ll see.

By Mary Oishi, Development Director

Dozens of community volunteers came in to the KUNM phone room to answer our pledge line phone during our recent fundraiser. Sometimes groups come in together. In our most recent fundraiser that ended September 28th, we hosted groups of phone volunteers from the New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League, Off Center Community Arts Project, Positive Energy Solar, Placitas Artist Series, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Rails Inc., and the Outpost Performance Space.

It’s always wonderful to host community groups at KUNM, with whom we have many bonds. In addition to sending phone volunteers during the pledge drive, for example, Placitas Artist Series has publicized many of their concerts on KUNM over the years. Positive Energy Solar underwrites programming on KUNM, and they offer a $500 discount on solar energy installations through our KUNM MemberCard.

The Outpost Performance Space has worked with KUNM since the early days before they were located on Yale SE. KUNM used to broadcast live from there, and they have hosted many events for us and for our volunteers. We also run announcements for Outpost performance on a weekly basis throughout their concert series, and our on-air hosts always look forward to redeeming their comp tickets to Outpost concerts.

On Saturday, October 6th, 9 am, there is something brand new happening at the Outpost. The Children’s Hour is broadcasting Live at The Outpost, and you can be part of the LIVE studio audience. The show will feature a performance from young pianist Rowan McJimsey, the second place winner in the 2017 John Lewis Youth Piano Competition! Plus kid naturalist Adya Radcliffe will be there to help identify migrating birds that we should be listening for this fall. Audience participation is expected and all ages are welcome. Katie Stone, founder and host of the show, has been producing The Children’s Hour for over 16 years, and is committed to involving kids in all aspects of the show.

We love these opportunities for the community to come to KUNM, and for KUNM to come to the community.

Juan Gonzales Visits KUNM