Dynamically change the css properties of .fa-xxx icons:
<li class="nws">
<a href="#NewsModal" class="urgent" title="' + title + '" onclick=""><span class="label label-icon label-danger"><i class="fa fa-bolt"></i></span>'
</a>
</li>
<script>
$(document).ready(function(){
$('li.nws').on("focusin", function(){
$('.fa-bolt').addClass('lightning');
});
});
</script>
<style>
.lightning{ /*do something cool like shutter*/}
</style>