Local News: October 3, 2023

- FEMA to test national alert system on October 4 -

Phones, TVs, and radios may sound alarms on Wednesday. If yours does, don’t worry. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the FCC, the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a test of the national alert and warning system at about 2:20 PM, Eastern Time. Wireless providers will conduct the test for 30 minutes but phones should only receive one alert.

- New York Attorney General Warns About Student Loan Scammers -

Federal student loan payments resumed this month. Attorney General Letitia James issued some tips to help people avoid scammers who may pose as student loan servicers. Some of the advice says the Department of Education and legitimate loan services will never call or ask for your social security number. Also, they say never give out personal information or your FSA ID username or password over the phone or the internet unless you initiate the contact. The AG’s office has a list of warning signs and other information to help those repaying loans.

- Two area leaders selected for 2024 Appalachian Leadership Institute -

Two people from the region are among those selected for the 2024 Appalachian Leadership Institute. Joshua Bacigalupi is the Superintendent of the Dryden school district and Joseph Sellepack heads the Broome County Council of Churches. Both will take part in nine months of skills-building to help them implement community and economic development projects back home. The program is part of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Forty people are chosen each year from the non-profit, public, and private sectors to participate in the Institute.