On October 4, 2023, a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) was conducted by FEMA and the FCC. The test was scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time and was conducted in two parts to test the capabilities of EAS and WEA. The purpose of the test was to ensure that the systems remain an effective means of warning the public about emergencies, especially those at the national level. If the October 4 test date was postponed, the back-up testing date was October 11.
In addition to the nationwide test, there were several news events that occurred on October 4, 2023, according to The Week. These included:
- Kevin McCarthy being ousted as House speaker in a historic vote
- A judge imposing a gag order in Trump fraud trial
- Biden affirming Ukraine support
However, it is important to note that news events can vary depending on the source and may not be comprehensive.
