Five years ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security dropped its color-coded terror threat index developed after the 9/11 attacks amid widespread confusion and ...

But Homeland Security's use of the color code is just one of several indices designed to send a message to residents. And that's the crux of what's wrong with the system, say critics. With so many ...

The department's proposal was never made public, nor was the consulting firm's $90,000 review. A copy of the report was obtained by The Associated Press, and when the news agency asked the department ...