METRO WEEK IN REVIEW: Nov. 9-15

1) Economic struggles continue for Georgia

As the stock market continued its wild ride and the focus of the $700 billion economic bailout shifted to consumer relief, the state struggled with jobless claims and budget woes. More than 29,000 metro Atlanta residents filed first-time unemployment claims in October —- a 70.5 percent increase from October 2007, the state Labor Department said Thursday. Meanwhile, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said city employees will have their hours and pay cut to help plug a $50 million to $60 million hole in the budget, and DeKalb County projected a $40 million shortfall in 2009. Still, there were a couple of bright spots. Declining state tax collections stabilized last month, and Atlanta developer Tivoli Properties announced its Mandarin tower, a 53-story luxury hotel and condominium project on Peachtree Street.

2) U.S. Senate candidates gear up for runoff

Straggling votes were counted and it became official: Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin are headed for a runoff Dec. 2. The campaigns sprang back to life last week, with GOP presidential nominee John McCain, who won Georgia on Nov. 4, speaking on Chambliss’ behalf Thursday in Cobb County. Martin is receiving help from President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign staff, but a personal visit to Georgia from Obama had not been planned.

3) Gas prices dip below $2

No, you’re not dreaming: Metro Atlanta gas prices really have dropped below $2 a gallon. The last time gas was this low was February 2007, according to two Web sites that track prices at the pump. Area fuel prices on Friday were about 18 cents below the national average of $2.15, gasbuddy.com said.

4) Lawmaker apologizes, then stands by Obama slam

A Georgia congressman apologized —- sort of —- after saying one of President-elect Obama’s proposals could lead to a Marxist dictatorship. U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, an Athens Republican, said Obama’s plan for a civilian national security reserve corps reminded him of the security forces of both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Broun told an Augusta radio station Tuesday that he regretted the comments, but his spokeswoman said Wednesday that he stood by his statements. The State Department is already building a civilian reserve corps that the Bush administration launched two years ago.

5) Veterans honored in metro Atlanta events

Residents saluted troops Tuesday in Veterans Day ceremonies throughout the metro area. Atlanta and Marietta held parades, while Gwinnett County residents paid tribute to veterans with a 21-gun salute at the Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. In addition, a Veterans Wall of Honor was dedicated in McDonough while other cities and schools also held memorial services.

6) Sentencing phase begins in Nichols trial

A Fulton County jury has two choices: sentence convicted courthouse shooter Brian Nichols to death or life in prison. After a two-day break to sort through legal issues, witnesses began testifying Wednesday in the penalty phase of Nichols’ trial. Jurors on Nov. 7 found Nichols guilty of murder in the March 2005 shooting deaths of a Fulton County Superior Court judge, court stenographer, sheriff’s deputy and U.S. Customs agent.

7) Richardson likely to retain top House post

The speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives likely will remain at the helm for another two-year term. The Republican caucus on Monday voted to reappoint Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram), who defeated challenger Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) by a 75-25 margin. A vote of the full House is set for Jan. 12, but because House Republicans outnumber Democrats 105-75, the caucus’ choice is expected to stand.

8) Fulton 911 needs overhaul, county told

Fulton County’s troubled 911 center is in for a complete overhaul, and its emergency communications director, Alfred “Rocky” Moore, has been asked to resign, county officials said Thursday. According to outside consultants, the department’s inept management and policy violations led to grave mistakes. The center came under fire after an Aug. 2 error delayed getting help to an ailing Johns Creek woman who later died.

9) Kings seek licensing money

Vendors peddling merchandise featuring images of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. next to President-elect Obama might have to pay up if the King family has its way. The King estate is owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in licensing fees, Isaac Newton Farris Jr., King’s nephew and head of the King Center in Atlanta, told The Associated Press.

10) Baptist change isolates church led by woman

Georgia Southern Baptists on Tuesday approved a policy that could cut the Georgia Baptist Convention’s donation and voting ties with a Decatur church. The policy, which gives the group the authority to refuse donations from churches out of step with Southern Baptist beliefs, currently affects only Decatur First Baptist, which is led by a woman pastor. A Southern Baptist statement of faith says only men can hold head pastor positions. A church whose donations are refused loses its voting rights and cannot give to Southern Baptist missions.

How we compiled the list: Staff writer Michelle Ewing considered more than three dozen news items from the past week before settling on this list of top stories. E-mail her at mewing@ajc.com.