Emergency Alert System Being Unveiled for Cellphones

Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- The federal government unveiled a major upgrade Tuesday of the national emergency alert system that will send warnings directly to cellphone users.

Similar to the alerts heard over the radio and on TV -- a loud, piercing sound followed by the words "This is a test of the national emergency alert system" -- the new alerts will be sent via text messages.  They will inform cellphone users of alerts issued by the president, emergencies like natural disasters that pose an imminent threat, and cases of child abductions or missing children.

Called the Personal Localized Alerting Network (PLAN), the expanded service will work on newer cellphones that contain a special chip.  The text messages will be free of charge and will be available to customers of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.

The alerts are scheduled to be rolled out in New York and Washington, D.C. later this year, with a nationwide launch to follow by next spring.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Mom Allegedly Sent Lewd Pics to Son's Teen Friend

Photo Courtesy - Houston County Sheriff's Office(HOUSTON) -- Lori Darling David, 37, is facing accusations of e-mailing nude photos of herself to her son's 16-year-old friend.

According to ABC News affiliate KTRK, authorities say the Katy, Texas, woman sent the teen sexually explicit text messages and e-mails, as well as lewd photographs of herself.

She is charged with two counts of online solicitation of a minor.

Copyright 2010 ABC News Radio