J.W.’s News Update: Thursday April 28, 2011

Good Thursday, Here are some stories making headlines today:

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Area spared from Terrible Tornadoes that hit the Deep South yesterday. Texarkana area Emergency Management coordinator Dave Hall says an apparent split in the storm system Tuesday evening spared our area from seeing the devestating and violent tornadoes that hit Alabama and other southern states yesterday evening.

More than 200 people are known dead many in Alabama including Tuscaloosa which was very hard hit by a monster tornado.

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The economy slowed sharply in the 1st Quarter of 2011. The Commerce Department says high gasoline prices cut into consumer spending, bad weather delayed construction projects and the federal govenrment slashed defense spending by the most in  6 years.

The government says the economy grew at a 1.8% rate in the 1st three months of the year down from the 3.1% growth in the final three months of 2010. However Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and other economist believe the slowdown will be temporary. They generally agree that gas prices will stabilize by fall and the economy will grow at a 3% pace in each of the next three quarters.

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The NFL Draft begins tonight. The Carolina Panthers have the #1 pick and are expected to take Heisman Trophy Winner & Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton.  All eyes around here are on where & when former Texas High and Arkansas Razorback QB  Ryan Mallett will go. The draft begins at 7pm Texarkana time tonight.

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