Emergency alert goes to Internet, cells

The government will soon be pinging cell phones and posting on Web sites to warn Americans of impending disasters as it updates its Cold War-era emergency alert system.

By the end of next year, the Homeland Security Department expects to be able to send emergency alerts to cell phones, Internet sites and hand-held computers to reach as many people as possible before a catastrophe strikes. It also seeks to transmit warnings on cable TV channels and satellite radio to supplement the government’s long-tested but never-used national alerts on network channels and AM radio stations.

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2006/07/16/featuresbigskylife/hjjdjcieiageeb.txt