Jobless rate tops 10% for first time since '83

For the first time in 26 years, unemployment has topped 10 percent in the U.S., according to the October jobs report released Friday. The Labor Department says the nation's economy likely lost a net

News 12 Staff

Nov 8, 2009, 5:16 AM

Updated 5,419 days ago

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For the first time in 26 years, unemployment has topped 10 percent in the U.S., according to the October jobs report released Friday.
The Labor Department says the nation's economy likely lost a net total of 190,000 jobs since September and economists predict the unemployment rate may increase even more.
In response to job losses, President Obama has signed a 14-week extension of unemployment benefits. In states with high unemployment, including New Jersey, an additional six weeks of benefits will be available.
Although New Jersey's latest unemployment numbers have not yet been released, they were at 9.8 percent last month.