Local news
New: Nation's jobless rate bolts to 8.5 percent, 663K jobs lost
The nation’s unemployment rate jumped to 8.5 percent in March, the highest since late 1983, as a wide swath of employers eliminated 663,000 jobs. It’s fresh evidence of the toll the recession has inflicted on America’s workers, and economists say there’s no relief in sight.
If part-time and discouraged workers are factored in, the unemployment rate would have been 15.6 percent in March, the highest on records dating to 1994, according to Labor Department data released Friday.
The average work week in March dropped to 33.2 hours, a new record low. Since the recession began in December 2007, the economy has lost a net total of 5.1 million jobs, with almost two-thirds of the losses occurring in the last five months.
“It’s an ugly report and April is going to be equally as bad,” predicted Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com.
Oil prices dipped Friday after the government reported that the nation’s unemployment rate rose.
Benchmark crude for May delivery fell 53 cents to $52.36 barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
In Oklahoma
The latest statewide Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers saw unemployment continue to grow in February, albeit more slowly than in the previous month, when it took a 1.8 percent jump. Looking at the percentages, unemployment in the state grew by three-tenths of a point — 5.6 to 5.9 percent — in February. However, the number of unemployed topped 100,000 — coming in at 103,576 — for the first time since January 2003, when 100,491 were unemployed. Those were the only two times in the last 10 years the number of unemployed was in the six-digit realm.
In Enid and Garfield County
Garfield County unemployment for February 2009 comes in at 3.7 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. That compares to 3.2 percent in January, 2.4 percent in February 2008 and 3.4 and 3.5 percent in February 2006 and 2007, respectively. Enid numbers took a jump in February — 3.5 percent — from January — 3.0 percent. February numbers compare to 2.4 percent in February 2008 and 3.6 and 3.7 percent in February 2006 and 2007, respectively.
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Voters go to polls today to decide Enid’s $99.45M school bond issue
Many school officials will be watching today as votes are tallied for several issues across the county, including Enid Public Schools’ $99.45 million bond issue.
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Florists brace for V-Day
Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday this year but that doesn’t mean you’ve lost the opportunity to brighten your sweetheart’s work- day with a much-deserved floral arrangement.
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UPDATED PHOTOS - Inmates still on loose
Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Monday three inmates remain on the loose after escaping from William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply.
- EHS band hosting chili supper
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UPDATED photo- Silver Alert issued for missing Garfield County man
Garfield County authorities have issued a Silver Alert for an 88-year-old man who hasn’t been seen since leaving for church. The county sheriff’s office says Edward Sutter was last seen about 9:30 a.m. Sunday when he left home for 1st United Methodist Church in Enid. Sutter never arrived at the church. He was last seen driving a gray, 2003 Toyota Avalon. Authorities had initially said he was driving a Toyota Altima.
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NEW: Roads getting slicker as temps drop below freezing
Motorists should be cautious as snow continues to fall.
- Another winter storm hits state; 2 more slated to follow this week
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Rotary reaches goal to have members become part of the Paul Harris Fellowship
Enid Rotary Club always has been one of the most active clubs in the state but recently succeeded in a project few clubs achieve.
- Rotary International is ‘service above self’
- Black History Month lecture slated Feb. 16
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