Color-Coded Threat Alarms Phased Out

The much-mocked, color-coded terror threat system used by the U.S. government since after Sept. 11, 2001 is on its way out. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is expected to announce the change on Thursday. "Though the system served a valuable purpose in the terrible days and months following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, it was clearly time for the current color-coded system to be replaced with a more targeted system," said Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who sits on the House Homeland Security Commission. The system will be replaced with a new version that identifies threats in specific geographic areas.