I think that lower third is based off that bug they use during a developing/breaking news at the top left. It looks similar to it.
On another note about the red lit studio, anybody find it interesting they did that, but didn't do it for Irene? Seems rather peculiar, but maybe since the threat shifted towards New Orleans and the all too coincidental timing of Isaac around Katrina's 7th anniversary this Wednesday they felt they needed too just in case it does try to intensify quickly.
EDIT: I noticed the Global Forecast Center is now red as well, it wasn't yesterday evening.