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Test Alert Mistakenly Sparks Panic Across Los Angeles

11/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On November 11, 2025, a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) from South Pasadena reached phones across Los Angeles County.
The message said it was a test and was sent during a check of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system.
City spokesperson Jennifer Colby attributed the mistake to human error, not a platform malfunction.
The city apologized and noted the incident echoes a January firestorm, which caused panic among 10 million recipients.

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Story summary

On November 11, 2025, a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) from South Pasadena reached phones across Los Angeles County.
The message said it was a test and was sent during a check of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system.
City spokesperson Jennifer Colby attributed the mistake to human error, not a platform malfunction.
The city apologized and noted the incident echoes a January firestorm, which caused panic among 10 million recipients.