Terror Alert To Be Raised To Orange (High)

The Associated Press is reporting: The Bush administration is raising the terror alert to code orange for mass transit in the wake of London explosions, U.S. officials said Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff planned to make the announcement at a press conference. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made. The designation will apply to subway systems and light rail and select bus routes, officials said. he nation's overall terror alert will remain at yellow, or elevated. MORE.... It is also being reported that U.S. cities have also gone on heightened alert. Authorities around the country stepped up security on public transportation systems and urged extra vigilance Thursday following the rush hour bombings in London that rocked the subway system and a crowded bus. In New York, Gov. George Pataki said ""We are asking people to be alert, to report any suspicious activity or packages, backpacks, boxes to police." And in San Francisco, Bay Area Rapid Transit System officials closed all station bathrooms, while Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney took the unprecedented step of raising the security level on Boston's transit system. MORE....