Texarkana Gazette

FDA wants heartburn meds off the market due to contamination The move from the Food and Drug Administration Wednesday applies to all prescription and over-the-counter versions of ranitidine, best known by the brand name Zantac. The drugs are widely used to treat stomach acid and ulcers. Patients should stop taking any of the medications they currently have and throw them away, the FDA said. by MATTHEW PERRONE/The Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:36am

Triple-slaying suspect surrenders after standoff; child safe After a prolonged standoff, Florida state troopers arrested a Georgia man accused of fatally shooting three people in his child's mother's family and kidnapping his child, authorities said Wednesday. by Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:31am

Census Day arrives with U.S. almost paralyzed by coronavirus COVID-19 has forced the U.S. Census Bureau to suspend field operations for a month, from mid-March to mid-April, when the hiring process would be ramping up for up to 500,000 temporary census takers. The bureau has delayed the start of counts for the homeless and people living in group quarters like college dorms and nursing homes, and pushed back the head count's deadline from the end of July to mid-August. by MIKE SCHNEIDER/Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:29am

Gun background checks smash records amid coronavirus fears Background checks required to buy firearms have spiked to record numbers in the past month, fueled by a run on guns from Americans worried about their safety during the coronavirus crisis. by LISA MARIE PANE/Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:27am

Georgia Sen. Loeffler gets renewed scrutiny over stock moves The husband of Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler recently acquired as much as $415,000 in stock in DuPont de Nemours, a chemical company that manufactures protective equipment in exceedingly high demand because of the coronavirus pandemic. by BRIAN SLODYSKO and MARY CLARE JALONICK/The Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:24am

Rural areas fear spread of virus as more hospitals close The pandemic erupted at an awful time for communities trying to fill health care gaps following the closure of 170 rural hospitals across the nation in the last 15 years. by JAY REEVES/The Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:22am

Coast Guard: Cruise ships must stay at sea with sick onboard The new rules outlined in a memo are required for ships in the district that covers Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. They also come with a stiff warning: Any foreign-flagged vessels "that loiter beyond U.S. territorial seas" should try first to medically evacuate the very sick to those countries instead. by Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:19am

Democrats proposing commission to study U.S. pandemic response "Americans will need answers on how our government can work better to prevent a similar crisis from happening again," Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said. by MARY CLARE JALONICK/The Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:15am

Infrastructure often embraced by both parties, to no avail President Donald Trump wants to spend $2 trillion on infrastructure projects to create jobs and help the collapsing economy rebuild from the coronavirus' stunning blows. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says that seems about right. Sounds like the prelude to a bipartisan deal. Except that when it comes to trying to upgrade the country's road, rail, water and broadband systems, Washington frequently veers off the tracks — usually over the bill's contents and how to pay for it. by ALAN FRAM and KEVIN FREKING/The Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:14am

April 1, rent's due: Many struggle to pay in virus outbreak A roof over the head is one of the most basic needs in life. Without money for rent, how can the other bills get paid? And while many will get a reprieve in April, eventually the rent comes due, whether or not the restaurant, plant or construction site reopens when the COVID-19 threat lessens. by JEFFREY COLLINS/The Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 7:04am

Trump administration aims end using the criminal penalties under migratory bird law Tthe Trump administration wants to end the 50-year practice of using the criminal penalties under the migratory bird law to pressure companies into taking measures to prevent unintentional bird deaths. The administration says deaths of birds that fly into oil pits, mining sites, telecommunications towers, wind turbines and other hazards should be treated as accidents not subject to prosecution. by AMY BETH HANSON and MATTHEW BROWN/The Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 6:36am

Amazon fires warehouse worker who staged walkout; company says man put others at risk Amazon said the worker, Christian Smalls, received several warnings for violating social distancing guidelines. Amazon said Smalls showed up at the protest at the Staten Island warehouse Monday despite a order to remain home for 14 days with pay because he had come into contact with a co-worker who had been diagnosed with the virus. by Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 6:28am

Son: Jazz great Ellis Marsalis Jr. dead at 85; fought virus Ellis Marsalis Jr., jazz pianist, teacher and patriarch of a New Orleans musical clan that includes famed performer sons Wynton and Branford, has died after battling pneumonia brought on by the new coronavirus, one of his sons said late Wednesday. by JANET McCONNAUGHEY and REBECCA SANTANA/The Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 6:23am

Crossties is getting ready to roll as the downtown area prepares to awaken A group of Twin Cities' entrepreneurs are preparing a place for fun times and celebrations when the COVID-19 crisis ends. by Junius Stone Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 4:14am

Bail set at $1 million for suspects in fatal shooting Texarkana, Texas, police have made two arrests in connection with the fatal Tuesday night shooting of a 16-year-old. by Lynn LaRowe Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 4:14am

Beavers Bend State Park closes lodge Beavers Bend State Park has temporarily closed its Lakeview Lodge, Forest Heritage Center, nature center, gift shop, restaurant and all tent campgrounds because of the COVID-19 crisis. Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 2:59am

On the Beat On the Beat for April 2, 2020 Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 2:59am

Man charged with rape of 4-year-old girl A man accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl last year has been charged by Miller County prosecutors with two counts of rape. by Lynn LaRowe Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 2:58am

Residents must fill out paperwork to receive meals from Texarkana Senior Services Texarkana Senior Services wants people 60 and older to know they will have to fill out intake information to receive meals distributed at the Collins Senior Center. Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 2:55am

County courthouses set checkpoints for entry Anyone with business at the Miller County Courthouse must have their temperature taken and answer a few short questions about recent travels before entering the historic building in downtown Texarkana. by Lynn LaRowe Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 2:53am

Closings Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, has temporarily closed its Lakeview Lodge, Forest Heritage Center, nature center, gift shop, restaurant and all tent campgrounds because of the COVID-19 crisis. The park is still allowing RV camping with reservations and cabin stays. For information about moving or canceling a reservation call 580-494-6538 or 580-494-6300. Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 2:40am

Arkansas state representative tests positive for coronavirus A member of the Arkansas House said Wednesday he's tested positive for the coronavirus and state health officials reported two more people have died from the outbreak. by Associated Press Published Apr. 2 2020 @ 2:39am