diff --git a/src/CourseAuthoringPage.jsx b/src/CourseAuthoringPage.jsx
index c442f9406..c4281a8c1 100644
--- a/src/CourseAuthoringPage.jsx
+++ b/src/CourseAuthoringPage.jsx
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ const CourseAuthoringPage = ({ courseId, children }) => {
     );
   }
   return (
-    <div className={pathname.includes('/editor/') ? '' : 'bg-light-200'}>
+    <div>
       {/* While V2 Editors are temporarily served from their own pages
       using url pattern containing /editor/,
       we shouldn't have the header and footer on these pages.
diff --git a/src/course-updates/CourseUpdates.jsx b/src/course-updates/CourseUpdates.jsx
index 791072730..a6b7af677 100644
--- a/src/course-updates/CourseUpdates.jsx
+++ b/src/course-updates/CourseUpdates.jsx
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
+import { Helmet } from 'react-helmet';
 import { useIntl } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
 import {
+  ActionRow,
   Button,
   Container,
   Layout,
 } from '@openedx/paragon';
-import { Add as AddIcon } from '@openedx/paragon/icons';
+import { Add as AddIcon, ErrorOutline as ErrorIcon } from '@openedx/paragon/icons';
 import { useSelector } from 'react-redux';
 
 import { useModel } from '../generic/model-store';
@@ -22,15 +24,18 @@ import UpdateForm from './update-form/UpdateForm';
 import { REQUEST_TYPES } from './constants';
 import messages from './messages';
 import { useCourseUpdates } from './hooks';
-import { getLoadingStatuses, getSavingStatuses } from './data/selectors';
+import {
+  getErrors,
+  getLoadingStatuses,
+  getSavingStatuses,
+} from './data/selectors';
 import { matchesAnyStatus } from './utils';
 import getPageHeadTitle from '../generic/utils';
+import AlertMessage from '../generic/alert-message';
 
 const CourseUpdates = ({ courseId }) => {
   const intl = useIntl();
-
   const courseDetails = useModel('courseDetails', courseId);
-  document.title = getPageHeadTitle(courseDetails?.name, intl.formatMessage(messages.headingTitle));
 
   const {
     requestType,
@@ -56,6 +61,7 @@ const CourseUpdates = ({ courseId }) => {
 
   const loadingStatuses = useSelector(getLoadingStatuses);
   const savingStatuses = useSelector(getSavingStatuses);
+  const errors = useSelector(getErrors);
 
   const anyStatusFailed = matchesAnyStatus({ ...loadingStatuses, ...savingStatuses }, RequestStatus.FAILED);
   const anyStatusInProgress = matchesAnyStatus({ ...loadingStatuses, ...savingStatuses }, RequestStatus.IN_PROGRESS);
@@ -63,8 +69,61 @@ const CourseUpdates = ({ courseId }) => {
 
   return (
     <>
-      <Container size="xl" className="px-4">
-        <section className="setting-items mb-4 mt-5">
+      <Helmet>
+        <title>
+          {getPageHeadTitle(courseDetails?.name, intl.formatMessage(messages.headingTitle))}
+        </title>
+      </Helmet>
+      <Container size="xl" className="px-4 pt-4">
+        <section className="setting-items mb-4">
+          {errors.loadingUpdates && (
+            <AlertMessage
+              title={intl.formatMessage(messages.loadingUpdatesErrorTitle)}
+              description={intl.formatMessage(messages.loadingUpdatesErrorDescription, { courseId })}
+              variant="danger"
+              icon={ErrorIcon}
+            />
+          )}
+          {errors.loadingHandouts && (
+            <AlertMessage
+              title={intl.formatMessage(messages.loadingHandoutsErrorTitle)}
+              description={intl.formatMessage(messages.loadingHandoutsErrorDescription, { courseId })}
+              variant="danger"
+              icon={ErrorIcon}
+            />
+          )}
+          {errors.creatingUpdate && (
+            <AlertMessage
+              title={intl.formatMessage(messages.savingUpdatesErrorTitle)}
+              description={intl.formatMessage(messages.savingNewUpdateErrorAlertDescription)}
+              variant="danger"
+              icon={ErrorIcon}
+            />
+          )}
+          {errors.savingUpdates && (
+            <AlertMessage
+              title={intl.formatMessage(messages.savingUpdatesErrorTitle)}
+              description={intl.formatMessage(messages.savingUpdatesErrorDescription)}
+              variant="danger"
+              icon={ErrorIcon}
+            />
+          )}
+          {errors.deletingUpdates && (
+            <AlertMessage
+              title={intl.formatMessage(messages.deletingUpdatesErrorTitle)}
+              description={intl.formatMessage(messages.deletingUpdatesErrorDescription)}
+              variant="danger"
+              icon={ErrorIcon}
+            />
+          )}
+          {errors.savingHandouts && (
+            <AlertMessage
+              title={intl.formatMessage(messages.savingHandoutsErrorTitle)}
+              description={intl.formatMessage(messages.savingHandoutsErrorDescription)}
+              variant="danger"
+              icon={ErrorIcon}
+            />
+          )}
           <Layout
             lg={[{ span: 12 }]}
             md={[{ span: 12 }]}
@@ -72,7 +131,7 @@ const CourseUpdates = ({ courseId }) => {
             xs={[{ span: 12 }]}
             xl={[{ span: 12 }]}
           >
-            <Layout.Element>
+            <Layout.Element className="mt-3">
               <article>
                 <div>
                   <SubHeader
@@ -85,7 +144,7 @@ const CourseUpdates = ({ courseId }) => {
                         iconBefore={AddIcon}
                         size="sm"
                         onClick={() => handleOpenUpdateForm(REQUEST_TYPES.add_new_update)}
-                        disabled={isUpdateFormOpen}
+                        disabled={isUpdateFormOpen || errors.loadingUpdates}
                       >
                         {intl.formatMessage(messages.newUpdateButton)}
                       </Button>
@@ -102,33 +161,54 @@ const CourseUpdates = ({ courseId }) => {
                       />
                     )}
                     <div className="updates-container">
-                      <div className="p-4.5">
-                        {courseUpdates.length ? courseUpdates.map((courseUpdate, index) => (
-                          isInnerFormOpen(courseUpdate.id) ? (
-                            <UpdateForm
-                              isOpen={isUpdateFormOpen}
-                              close={closeUpdateForm}
-                              requestType={requestType}
-                              isInnerForm
-                              isFirstUpdate={index === 0}
-                              onSubmit={handleUpdatesSubmit}
-                              courseUpdatesInitialValues={courseUpdatesInitialValues}
-                            />
-                          ) : (
-                            <CourseUpdate
-                              dateForUpdate={courseUpdate.date}
-                              contentForUpdate={courseUpdate.content}
-                              onEdit={() => handleOpenUpdateForm(REQUEST_TYPES.edit_update, courseUpdate)}
-                              onDelete={() => handleOpenDeleteForm(courseUpdate)}
-                              isDisabledButtons={isUpdateFormOpen}
-                            />
-                          ))) : null}
-                      </div>
+                      {courseUpdates.length > 0 && (
+                        <div className="p-4.5">
+                          {courseUpdates.map((courseUpdate, index) => (
+                            isInnerFormOpen(courseUpdate.id) ? (
+                              <UpdateForm
+                                isOpen={isUpdateFormOpen}
+                                close={closeUpdateForm}
+                                requestType={requestType}
+                                isInnerForm
+                                isFirstUpdate={index === 0}
+                                onSubmit={handleUpdatesSubmit}
+                                courseUpdatesInitialValues={courseUpdatesInitialValues}
+                              />
+                            ) : (
+                              <CourseUpdate
+                                dateForUpdate={courseUpdate.date}
+                                contentForUpdate={courseUpdate.content}
+                                onEdit={() => handleOpenUpdateForm(REQUEST_TYPES.edit_update, courseUpdate)}
+                                onDelete={() => handleOpenDeleteForm(courseUpdate)}
+                                isDisabledButtons={isUpdateFormOpen}
+                              />
+                            )
+                          ))}
+                        </div>
+                      )}
+                      {!courseUpdates.length && (
+                        <ActionRow>
+                          <ActionRow.Spacer />
+                          <span className="small mr-2">
+                            {intl.formatMessage(messages.noCourseUpdates)}
+                          </span>
+                          <Button
+                            variant="primary"
+                            iconBefore={AddIcon}
+                            size="sm"
+                            onClick={() => handleOpenUpdateForm(REQUEST_TYPES.add_new_update)}
+                            disabled={isUpdateFormOpen || errors.loadingUpdates}
+                          >
+                            {intl.formatMessage(messages.firstUpdateButton)}
+                          </Button>
+                          <ActionRow.Spacer />
+                        </ActionRow>
+                      )}
                       <div className="updates-handouts-container">
                         <CourseHandouts
                           contentForHandouts={courseHandouts?.data || ''}
                           onEdit={() => handleOpenUpdateForm(REQUEST_TYPES.edit_handouts)}
-                          isDisabledButtons={isUpdateFormOpen}
+                          isDisabledButtons={isUpdateFormOpen || errors.loadingHandouts}
                         />
                       </div>
                       <DeleteModal
diff --git a/src/course-updates/CourseUpdates.test.jsx b/src/course-updates/CourseUpdates.test.jsx
index d136665e8..8fdc22330 100644
--- a/src/course-updates/CourseUpdates.test.jsx
+++ b/src/course-updates/CourseUpdates.test.jsx
@@ -54,171 +54,319 @@ jest.mock('@edx/frontend-lib-content-components', () => ({
 
 const RootWrapper = () => (
   <AppProvider store={store}>
-    <IntlProvider locale="en">
+    <IntlProvider locale="es">
       <CourseUpdates courseId={courseId} />
     </IntlProvider>
   </AppProvider>
 );
 
 describe('<CourseUpdates />', () => {
-  beforeEach(() => {
-    initializeMockApp({
-      authenticatedUser: {
-        userId: 3,
-        username: 'abc123',
-        administrator: true,
-        roles: [],
-      },
+  describe('Successful API responses', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      initializeMockApp({
+        authenticatedUser: {
+          userId: 3,
+          username: 'abc123',
+          administrator: true,
+          roles: [],
+        },
+      });
+
+      store = initializeStore();
+      axiosMock = new MockAdapter(getAuthenticatedHttpClient());
+      axiosMock
+        .onGet(getCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(200, courseUpdatesMock);
+      axiosMock
+        .onGet(getCourseHandoutApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(200, courseHandoutsMock);
     });
 
-    store = initializeStore();
-    axiosMock = new MockAdapter(getAuthenticatedHttpClient());
-    axiosMock
-      .onGet(getCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId))
-      .reply(200, courseUpdatesMock);
-    axiosMock
-      .onGet(getCourseHandoutApiUrl(courseId))
-      .reply(200, courseHandoutsMock);
-  });
+    it('render CourseUpdates component correctly', async () => {
+      const {
+        getByText, getAllByTestId, getByTestId, getByRole,
+      } = render(<RootWrapper />);
 
-  it('render CourseUpdates component correctly', async () => {
-    const {
-      getByText, getAllByTestId, getByTestId, getByRole,
-    } = render(<RootWrapper />);
-
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(getByText(messages.headingTitle.defaultMessage)).toBeInTheDocument();
-      expect(getByText(messages.headingSubtitle.defaultMessage)).toBeInTheDocument();
-      expect(getByText(messages.sectionInfo.defaultMessage)).toBeInTheDocument();
-      expect(getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage })).toBeInTheDocument();
-      expect(getAllByTestId('course-update')).toHaveLength(3);
-      expect(getByTestId('course-handouts')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        expect(getByText(messages.headingTitle.defaultMessage)).toBeInTheDocument();
+        expect(getByText(messages.headingSubtitle.defaultMessage)).toBeInTheDocument();
+        expect(getByText(messages.sectionInfo.defaultMessage)).toBeInTheDocument();
+        expect(getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage })).toBeInTheDocument();
+        expect(getAllByTestId('course-update')).toHaveLength(3);
+        expect(getByTestId('course-handouts')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      });
     });
-  });
 
-  it('should create course update', async () => {
-    const { getByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+    it('should create course update', async () => {
+      const { getByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
 
-    const data = {
-      content: '<p>Some text</p>',
-      date: 'August 29, 2023',
-    };
+      const data = {
+        content: '<p>Some text</p>',
+        date: 'August 29, 2023',
+      };
 
-    axiosMock
-      .onPost(getCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId))
-      .reply(200, data);
+      axiosMock
+        .onPost(getCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(200, data);
 
-    await executeThunk(createCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
-    expect(getByText('Some text')).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(getByText(data.date)).toBeInTheDocument();
-  });
-
-  it('should edit course update', async () => {
-    const { getByText, queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
-
-    const data = {
-      id: courseUpdatesMock[0].id,
-      content: '<p>Some text</p>',
-      date: 'August 29, 2023',
-    };
-
-    axiosMock
-      .onPut(updateCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id))
-      .reply(200, data);
-
-    await executeThunk(editCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
-    expect(getByText('Some text')).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(getByText(data.date)).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].date)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].content)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
-  });
-
-  it('should delete course update', async () => {
-    const { queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
-
-    axiosMock
-      .onDelete(updateCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id))
-      .reply(200);
-
-    await executeThunk(deleteCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id), store.dispatch);
-    expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].date)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].content)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
-  });
-
-  it('should edit course handouts', async () => {
-    const { getByText, queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
-
-    const data = {
-      ...courseHandoutsMock,
-      data: '<p>Some handouts 1</p>',
-    };
-
-    axiosMock
-      .onPut(getCourseHandoutApiUrl(courseId))
-      .reply(200, data);
-
-    await executeThunk(editCourseHandoutsQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
-    expect(getByText('Some handouts 1')).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(queryByText(courseHandoutsMock.data)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
-  });
-
-  it('Add new update form is visible after clicking "New update" button', async () => {
-    const { getByText, getByRole, getAllByTestId } = render(<RootWrapper />);
-
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      const editUpdateButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-edit-button');
-      const deleteButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-delete-button');
-      const editHandoutsButtons = getAllByTestId('course-handouts-edit-button');
-      const newUpdateButton = getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage });
-
-      fireEvent.click(newUpdateButton);
-
-      expect(newUpdateButton).toBeDisabled();
-      editUpdateButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
-      editHandoutsButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
-      deleteButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
-      expect(getByText('Add new update')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      await executeThunk(createCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
+      expect(getByText('Some text')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(getByText(data.date)).toBeInTheDocument();
     });
-  });
 
-  it('Edit handouts form is visible after clicking "Edit" button', async () => {
-    const { getByText, getByRole, getAllByTestId } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+    it('should edit course update', async () => {
+      const { getByText, queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
 
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      const editUpdateButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-edit-button');
-      const deleteButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-delete-button');
-      const editHandoutsButtons = getAllByTestId('course-handouts-edit-button');
-      const editHandoutsButton = editHandoutsButtons[0];
+      const data = {
+        id: courseUpdatesMock[0].id,
+        content: '<p>Some text</p>',
+        date: 'August 29, 2023',
+      };
 
-      fireEvent.click(editHandoutsButton);
+      axiosMock
+        .onPut(updateCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id))
+        .reply(200, data);
 
-      expect(editHandoutsButton).toBeDisabled();
-      expect(getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage })).toBeDisabled();
-      editUpdateButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
-      editHandoutsButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
-      deleteButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
-      expect(getByText('Edit handouts')).toBeInTheDocument();
-    });
-  });
-
-  it('Edit update form is visible after clicking "Edit" button', async () => {
-    const {
-      getByText, getByRole, getAllByTestId, queryByText,
-    } = render(<RootWrapper />);
-
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      const editUpdateButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-edit-button');
-      const deleteButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-delete-button');
-      const editHandoutsButtons = getAllByTestId('course-handouts-edit-button');
-      const editUpdateFirstButton = editUpdateButtons[0];
-
-      fireEvent.click(editUpdateFirstButton);
-      expect(getByText('Edit update')).toBeInTheDocument();
-      expect(getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage })).toBeDisabled();
-      editUpdateButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
-      editHandoutsButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
-      deleteButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+      await executeThunk(editCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
+      expect(getByText('Some text')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(getByText(data.date)).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].date)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
       expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].content)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
     });
+
+    it('should delete course update', async () => {
+      const { queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      axiosMock
+        .onDelete(updateCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id))
+        .reply(200);
+
+      await executeThunk(deleteCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id), store.dispatch);
+      expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].date)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].content)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+
+    it('should edit course handouts', async () => {
+      const { getByText, queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      const data = {
+        ...courseHandoutsMock,
+        data: '<p>Some handouts 1</p>',
+      };
+
+      axiosMock
+        .onPut(getCourseHandoutApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(200, data);
+
+      await executeThunk(editCourseHandoutsQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
+      expect(getByText('Some handouts 1')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(queryByText(courseHandoutsMock.data)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+
+    it('Add new update form is visible after clicking "New update" button', async () => {
+      const { getByText, getByRole, getAllByTestId } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        const editUpdateButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-edit-button');
+        const deleteButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-delete-button');
+        const editHandoutsButtons = getAllByTestId('course-handouts-edit-button');
+        const newUpdateButton = getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage });
+
+        fireEvent.click(newUpdateButton);
+
+        expect(newUpdateButton).toBeDisabled();
+        editUpdateButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        editHandoutsButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        deleteButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        expect(getByText('Add new update')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('Edit handouts form is visible after clicking "Edit" button', async () => {
+      const { getByText, getByRole, getAllByTestId } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        const editUpdateButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-edit-button');
+        const deleteButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-delete-button');
+        const editHandoutsButtons = getAllByTestId('course-handouts-edit-button');
+        const editHandoutsButton = editHandoutsButtons[0];
+
+        fireEvent.click(editHandoutsButton);
+
+        expect(editHandoutsButton).toBeDisabled();
+        expect(getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage })).toBeDisabled();
+        editUpdateButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        editHandoutsButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        deleteButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        expect(getByText('Edit handouts')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('Edit update form is visible after clicking "Edit" button', async () => {
+      const {
+        getByText, getByRole, getAllByTestId, queryByText,
+      } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        const editUpdateButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-edit-button');
+        const deleteButtons = getAllByTestId('course-update-delete-button');
+        const editHandoutsButtons = getAllByTestId('course-handouts-edit-button');
+        const editUpdateFirstButton = editUpdateButtons[0];
+
+        fireEvent.click(editUpdateFirstButton);
+        expect(getByText('Edit update')).toBeInTheDocument();
+        expect(getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage })).toBeDisabled();
+        editUpdateButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        editHandoutsButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        deleteButtons.forEach((button) => expect(button).toBeDisabled());
+        expect(queryByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].content)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('page load failure API responses', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      initializeMockApp({
+        authenticatedUser: {
+          userId: 3,
+          username: 'abc123',
+          administrator: true,
+          roles: [],
+        },
+      });
+
+      store = initializeStore();
+      axiosMock = new MockAdapter(getAuthenticatedHttpClient());
+    });
+
+    it('Course updates fetch should show updates loading error', async () => {
+      axiosMock
+        .onGet(getCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(404);
+      axiosMock
+        .onGet(getCourseHandoutApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(200, courseHandoutsMock);
+
+      const {
+        getByText, queryByTestId, getByRole,
+      } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        const newButton = getByRole('button', { name: messages.newUpdateButton.defaultMessage });
+        expect(getByText(messages.loadingUpdatesErrorTitle.defaultMessage));
+        expect(newButton).toBeDisabled();
+        expect(getByText(messages.noCourseUpdates.defaultMessage)).toBeVisible();
+        expect(queryByTestId('course-update')).toBeNull();
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('Course handouts fetch should show handouts loading error', async () => {
+      axiosMock
+        .onGet(getCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(200, courseUpdatesMock);
+      axiosMock
+        .onGet(getCourseHandoutApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(404);
+
+      const {
+        getByText, getByTestId,
+      } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        expect(getByText(messages.loadingHandoutsErrorTitle.defaultMessage));
+        expect(getByTestId('course-handouts-edit-button')).toBeDisabled();
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('saving failure API responses', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      initializeMockApp({
+        authenticatedUser: {
+          userId: 3,
+          username: 'abc123',
+          administrator: true,
+          roles: [],
+        },
+      });
+
+      store = initializeStore();
+      axiosMock = new MockAdapter(getAuthenticatedHttpClient());
+      axiosMock
+        .onGet(getCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(200, courseUpdatesMock);
+      axiosMock
+        .onGet(getCourseHandoutApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(200, courseHandoutsMock);
+    });
+    it('creating new update should show saving error alert', async () => {
+      const { getByText, queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      const data = {
+        content: '<p>Some text</p>',
+        date: 'August 29, 2023',
+      };
+
+      axiosMock
+        .onPost(getCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId), data)
+        .reply(404);
+
+      await executeThunk(createCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
+      expect(getByText(messages.savingNewUpdateErrorAlertDescription.defaultMessage)).toBeVisible();
+      expect(queryByText('Some text')).toBeNull();
+      expect(queryByText(data.date)).toBeNull();
+    });
+
+    it('editing course update should show saving error alert', async () => {
+      const { getByText, queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      const data = {
+        id: courseUpdatesMock[0].id,
+        content: '<p>Some text</p>',
+        date: 'August 29, 2023',
+      };
+
+      axiosMock
+        .onPut(updateCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id))
+        .reply(404);
+
+      await executeThunk(editCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
+      expect(queryByText('Some text')).toBeNull();
+      expect(queryByText(data.date)).toBeNull();
+      expect(getByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].date)).toBeVisible();
+      expect(getByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].content)).toBeVisible();
+      expect(getByText(messages.savingUpdatesErrorDescription.defaultMessage)).toBeVisible();
+    });
+
+    it('deleting course update should show delete saving error alert', async () => {
+      const { getByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      axiosMock
+        .onDelete(updateCourseUpdatesApiUrl(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id))
+        .reply(404);
+
+      await executeThunk(deleteCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, courseUpdatesMock[0].id), store.dispatch);
+      expect(getByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].date)).toBeVisible();
+      expect(getByText(courseUpdatesMock[0].content)).toBeVisible();
+      expect(getByText(messages.deletingUpdatesErrorDescription.defaultMessage)).toBeVisible();
+    });
+
+    it('editing course handouts should show saving error alert', async () => {
+      const { getByText, queryByText } = render(<RootWrapper />);
+
+      const data = {
+        ...courseHandoutsMock,
+        data: '<p>Some handouts 1</p>',
+      };
+
+      axiosMock
+        .onPut(getCourseHandoutApiUrl(courseId))
+        .reply(404);
+
+      await executeThunk(editCourseHandoutsQuery(courseId, data), store.dispatch);
+      expect(queryByText('Some handouts 1')).toBeNull();
+      expect(getByText(courseHandoutsMock.data)).toBeVisible();
+      expect(getByText(messages.savingHandoutsErrorDescription.defaultMessage));
+    });
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/course-updates/data/selectors.js b/src/course-updates/data/selectors.js
index 947ad0f8a..b062f6748 100644
--- a/src/course-updates/data/selectors.js
+++ b/src/course-updates/data/selectors.js
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@ export const getCourseUpdates = (state) => state.courseUpdates.courseUpdates;
 export const getCourseHandouts = (state) => state.courseUpdates.courseHandouts;
 export const getSavingStatuses = (state) => state.courseUpdates.savingStatuses;
 export const getLoadingStatuses = (state) => state.courseUpdates.loadingStatuses;
+export const getErrors = (state) => state.courseUpdates.errors;
diff --git a/src/course-updates/data/slice.js b/src/course-updates/data/slice.js
index 18cd86a1a..dbb130fcf 100644
--- a/src/course-updates/data/slice.js
+++ b/src/course-updates/data/slice.js
@@ -15,6 +15,14 @@ const initialState = {
     fetchCourseUpdatesQuery: '',
     fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: '',
   },
+  errors: {
+    creatingUpdate: false,
+    deletingUpdates: false,
+    loadingUpdates: false,
+    loadingHandouts: false,
+    savingUpdates: false,
+    savingHandouts: false,
+  },
 };
 
 const slice = createSlice({
@@ -48,10 +56,14 @@ const slice = createSlice({
       };
     },
     updateSavingStatuses: (state, { payload }) => {
-      state.savingStatuses = { ...state.savingStatuses, ...payload };
+      const { status, error } = payload;
+      state.errors = { ...initialState.errors, ...error };
+      state.savingStatuses = { ...state.savingStatuses, ...status };
     },
     updateLoadingStatuses: (state, { payload }) => {
-      state.loadingStatuses = { ...state.loadingStatuses, ...payload };
+      const { status, error } = payload;
+      state.errors = { ...initialState.errors, ...error };
+      state.loadingStatuses = { ...state.loadingStatuses, ...status };
     },
   },
 });
diff --git a/src/course-updates/data/thunk.js b/src/course-updates/data/thunk.js
index 8713b808c..88b3a0578 100644
--- a/src/course-updates/data/thunk.js
+++ b/src/course-updates/data/thunk.js
@@ -23,12 +23,18 @@ import {
 export function fetchCourseUpdatesQuery(courseId) {
   return async (dispatch) => {
     try {
-      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({ fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: RequestStatus.IN_PROGRESS }));
+      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({ fetchCourseUpdatesQuery: RequestStatus.IN_PROGRESS }));
       const courseUpdates = await getCourseUpdates(courseId);
       dispatch(fetchCourseUpdatesSuccess(courseUpdates));
-      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({ fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL }));
+      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({
+        status: { fetchCourseUpdatesQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL },
+        error: { loadingUpdates: false },
+      }));
     } catch (error) {
-      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({ fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED }));
+      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({
+        status: { fetchCourseUpdatesQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED },
+        error: { loadingUpdates: true },
+      }));
     }
   };
 }
@@ -41,10 +47,16 @@ export function createCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, data) {
       const courseUpdate = await createUpdate(courseId, data);
       dispatch(createCourseUpdate(courseUpdate));
       dispatch(hideProcessingNotification());
-      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({ createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL }));
+      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({
+        status: { createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL },
+        error: { creatingUpdate: false },
+      }));
     } catch (error) {
       dispatch(hideProcessingNotification());
-      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({ createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED }));
+      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({
+        status: { createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED },
+        error: { creatingUpdate: true },
+      }));
     }
   };
 }
@@ -57,10 +69,16 @@ export function editCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, data) {
       const courseUpdate = await editUpdate(courseId, data);
       dispatch(editCourseUpdate(courseUpdate));
       dispatch(hideProcessingNotification());
-      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({ createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL }));
+      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({
+        status: { createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL },
+        error: { savingUpdates: false },
+      }));
     } catch (error) {
       dispatch(hideProcessingNotification());
-      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({ createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED }));
+      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({
+        status: { createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED },
+        error: { savingUpdates: true },
+      }));
     }
   };
 }
@@ -73,10 +91,16 @@ export function deleteCourseUpdateQuery(courseId, updateId) {
       const courseUpdates = await deleteUpdate(courseId, updateId);
       dispatch(deleteCourseUpdate(courseUpdates));
       dispatch(hideProcessingNotification());
-      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({ createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL }));
+      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({
+        status: { createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL },
+        error: { deletingUpdates: false },
+      }));
     } catch (error) {
       dispatch(hideProcessingNotification());
-      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({ createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED }));
+      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({
+        status: { createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED },
+        error: { deletingUpdates: true },
+      }));
     }
   };
 }
@@ -87,9 +111,15 @@ export function fetchCourseHandoutsQuery(courseId) {
       dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({ fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: RequestStatus.IN_PROGRESS }));
       const courseHandouts = await getCourseHandouts(courseId);
       dispatch(fetchCourseHandoutsSuccess(courseHandouts));
-      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({ fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL }));
+      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({
+        status: { fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL },
+        error: { loadingHandouts: false },
+      }));
     } catch (error) {
-      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({ fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED }));
+      dispatch(updateLoadingStatuses({
+        status: { fetchCourseHandoutsQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED },
+        error: { loadingHandouts: true },
+      }));
     }
   };
 }
@@ -102,10 +132,16 @@ export function editCourseHandoutsQuery(courseId, data) {
       const courseHandouts = await editHandouts(courseId, data);
       dispatch(editCourseHandouts(courseHandouts));
       dispatch(hideProcessingNotification());
-      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({ createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL }));
+      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({
+        status: { createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL },
+        error: { savingHandouts: false },
+      }));
     } catch (error) {
       dispatch(hideProcessingNotification());
-      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({ createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED }));
+      dispatch(updateSavingStatuses({
+        status: { createCourseUpdateQuery: RequestStatus.FAILED },
+        error: { savingHandouts: true },
+      }));
     }
   };
 }
diff --git a/src/course-updates/hooks.jsx b/src/course-updates/hooks.jsx
index 05f80fe03..0482af6f2 100644
--- a/src/course-updates/hooks.jsx
+++ b/src/course-updates/hooks.jsx
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ const useCourseUpdates = ({ courseId }) => {
     courseHandouts,
     courseUpdatesInitialValues,
     isMainFormOpen: isUpdateFormOpen && requestType !== REQUEST_TYPES.edit_update,
-    isInnerFormOpen: (id) => isUpdateFormOpen && currentUpdate.id === id && requestType === REQUEST_TYPES.edit_update,
+    isInnerFormOpen: (id) => (isUpdateFormOpen && currentUpdate.id === id && requestType === REQUEST_TYPES.edit_update),
     isUpdateFormOpen,
     isDeleteModalOpen,
     closeUpdateForm,
diff --git a/src/course-updates/messages.js b/src/course-updates/messages.js
index a04a4b5ce..a148972ae 100644
--- a/src/course-updates/messages.js
+++ b/src/course-updates/messages.js
@@ -4,18 +4,87 @@ const messages = defineMessages({
   headingTitle: {
     id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.header.title',
     defaultMessage: 'Course updates',
+    description: 'Title for page',
   },
   headingSubtitle: {
     id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.header.subtitle',
     defaultMessage: 'Content',
+    description: 'Subtitle for page',
   },
   sectionInfo: {
     id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.section-info',
     defaultMessage: 'Use course updates to notify students of important dates or exams, highlight particular discussions in the forums, announce schedule changes, and respond to student questions.',
+    description: 'Message describing the use of course updates in a course',
   },
   newUpdateButton: {
     id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.actions.new-update',
     defaultMessage: 'New update',
+    description: 'Button label for header button to add a new course update',
+  },
+  firstUpdateButton: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.actions.first-update',
+    defaultMessage: 'Add first update',
+    description: 'Button label for button to add first course update',
+  },
+  noCourseUpdates: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.actions.first-update-message',
+    defaultMessage: 'You have not added any updates to this course yet.',
+    description: 'Message to notify user that they do not have any existing course updates',
+  },
+  loadingUpdatesErrorTitle: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.loading-updates.title',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to load course updates',
+    description: 'Alert title for loading updates error alert',
+  },
+  loadingUpdatesErrorDescription: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.loading-updates.description',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to load course updates for {courseId}. Please try again later.',
+    description: 'Alert body message for loading course update errors',
+  },
+  loadingHandoutsErrorTitle: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.loading-handouts.title',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to load course handouts',
+    description: 'Alert title for loading handouts error alert',
+  },
+  loadingHandoutsErrorDescription: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.loading-handouts.description',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to load course updates for {courseId}. Please try again later.',
+    description: 'Alert body message for loading course handout errors',
+  },
+  savingUpdatesErrorTitle: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.saving-updates.title',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to save course update',
+    description: 'Alert title for saving updates error alert',
+  },
+  savingUpdatesErrorDescription: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.saving-updates.description',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to save recent changes to course update. Please try again later.',
+    description: 'Alert body message for saving edits to course update errors',
+  },
+  savingNewUpdateErrorAlertDescription: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.saving-new-updates.description',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to save new course update. Please try again later.',
+    description: 'Alert body message for saving new course update errors',
+  },
+  savingHandoutsErrorTitle: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.saving-handouts.title',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to save course handouts',
+    description: 'Alert title for saving handouts error alert',
+  },
+  savingHandoutsErrorDescription: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.saving-handouts.description',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to save recent changes to course handouts. Please try again later.',
+    description: 'Alert body message for saving course handout errors',
+  },
+  deletingUpdatesErrorTitle: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.deleting-updates.title',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to delete course update',
+    description: 'Alert title for deleting update error alert',
+  },
+  deletingUpdatesErrorDescription: {
+    id: 'course-authoring.course-updates.error.deleting-updates.description',
+    defaultMessage: 'Failed to delete selected course update. Please try again later.',
+    description: 'Alert body message for deleting course update errors',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/src/index.scss b/src/index.scss
index 5409c7085..912b40933 100644
--- a/src/index.scss
+++ b/src/index.scss
@@ -51,3 +51,11 @@ div.xblock-highlight {
     box-shadow: unset;
   }
 }
+
+body {
+  background-color: $light-200;
+
+  .editor-page {
+    background-color: $light-100;
+  }
+}