READ TODAY'S STORIES AND E-EDITION SUBSCRIBE |  CONTACT US |  SIGN IN
Print story only Print story with comments Email Facebook

10 to remember in 2009: Jobless rate jumps
Hundreds of people wait in line to get into a job fair in San Mateo, Calif. Unemployment in the United States climbed to 10 percent in 2009, the highest rate since 1983. Associated Press fileAssociated Press fileGov. Brad Henry (left) and Flaming Lips singer Wayne Coyne.

 By Staff Reports
Published: 12/24/2009  2:20 AM
Last Modified: 12/24/2009  6:24 AM
Editor's Note: This month the Tulsa World looks back at the top stories of the past 10 years, culminating with in-depth analysis and Top 10 lists on Sunday. In the meantime, here are some of the stories we remember from 2009:

Unemployment hits 10 percent. As the recession deepens, unemployment climbs to 10 percent in November, the highest rate since 1983. At the start of the recession, in December 2007, unemployment was 4.9 percent.

Stimulus package signed into law. President Barack Obama signs a $787 billion economic stimulus package into law Feb. 17. Obama says the infusion of funds for roads and a variety of other public works will help jump-start the ailing economy.

Oral Roberts dies. Pioneering televangelist and founder of the Tulsa university bearing his name, Oral Roberts dies on Dec. 15 at age 91.

Economy hits home. A budget shortfall of more than $700 million forces the state to slash agency budgets and services to thousands of Oklahomans. The city of Tulsa, also facing a budget shortfall, lays off employees, grounds police helicopters and turns off expressway lights.

Scandal rocks Jenks, BTW athletics. Violations of OSSAA rules lead to sanctions against the athletic programs at Jenks and Booker T. Washington, including the suspensions of Jenks football coach Allan Trimble and Booker T. Washington football coach Antwain Jimmerson.

Wayman Tisdale dies. After a two-year struggle with cancer, former OU and Booker T. Washington basketball star and jazz musician Wayman Tisdale (left) dies. His funeral is held at the BOK Center, with an estimated 4,000 attending the service.

Tulsa area's jobless rate hits high. In October, the Tulsa metro area's unemployment rate hits 7.5 percent — its highest on record since 1990.

SemGroup LP emerges from bankruptcy. On Dec. 1, SemGroup LP emerges from 16 months of bankruptcy with a new corporate structure and a mission to rebuild its name with producers and creditors. Now called SemGroup Corp., the once privately held Tulsa midstream energy firm dropped the master limited partnership form and will be a publicly traded company.

Michael Jackson dies. The King of Pop died on June 25 of cardiac arrest at age 50. Actress Farrah Fawcett succumbed to cancer at age 62 on the same day.

Flaming Lips song is state rock song. After an online contest, Oklahoma City band Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize??" is selected the state rock song.

Copyright 2012 World Publishing Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Reader Comments 4 Total
BillD (2 years ago)
I am not worried, the presidents new approach (well not totally new as most of the eastern world has experimented with similar policies for a century) and dilution of massive amounts of dollars, will spur the economy in the near term. It might cause a few minor long term problems like hyperinflation, irreconcilable debt, and disposition of the dollar as the world standard means of exchange. But I guarentee our credit cards will still be working fine.
Avid Book Worm (last year)
Well, as time did tell, he knew nothing and Obama has not spurred the economy. He has spent tax dollars like some kid in a toy store going wild.
Thunder196 (last year)
One of the most destructive presidents we have ever had. Obama needs to be a one term president.
Elusive (last year)
Well that's no surprise and I see Obama is taking it on the chin in town hall meetings with people very upset the Change they expected, that he promised is not what they expected. His own followers are finally seeing the light!
4 comments displayed


To post comments on tulsaworld.com, you must be an active Tulsa World print or digital subscriber and signed into your account.
 
View All

Newsletter Sign up
Get breaking news email alerts
When significant news breaks locally, get an alert and link to the story.   
Most Popular Stories
Most Viewed
Most Commented
 
View the Top 50
These are the most viewed stories in the last 24 hours.







Home | Contact Us | Search | Subscribe | Customer Service | About | Advertise | Privacy
Copyright © 2012, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved.