An alert system includes an audio speaker or video display, and a communications unit. The communications unit is retained and supported by a power and data unit, and is configured to access data sources that include at least one of schedule information, environmental information, news reports, fire/police alerts, weather statements/information, and user-specific information, and to communicate with the audio speaker based upon the accessed data sources. The communications unit is configured to network with a computing device associated with a first user. The communications unit is configured to access the one or more data sources as defined by user-specific parameters associated with the first user. The first user is identified based upon a user ID associated with the networked computing device. The communications unit is configured to direct the audio speaker or the video display to issue an alert in response to the one or more accessed data sources.