As of 11:51 [1/9/04], story posted at 11:46 / 5 minutes ago
By JOHN J. LUMPKIN, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – The Bush administration lowered the national terror alert level
Friday as Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said that an urgent threat
had passed.
“I know we are all thankful that nothing happened,” said Ridge, announcing
the lowering of the threat level at a news conference. However, airports and
airlines will keep their high alert status, said a government official
speaking on condition of anonymity.