I would have thought the confirmation of Justice Sotomayor would have warranted inclusion, but per the editors of the Associated Press, here are the top news stories of 2009.
Here are 2009’s top 10 stories as voted by the U.S. editors and news directors:
 -1. THE ECONOMY: Despite a $787 billion federal stimulus package, much of the U.S. economy continued to sputter throughout the year. The jobless rate topped 10 percent, scores of banks failed, the federal deficit tripled to a record $1.4 trillion, and stocks fell to their lowest levels since 1997 before rallying. Yet investment banks’ profits surged, triggering public anger and efforts in Washington to crack down on Wall Street bonuses.
 -2. OBAMA INAUGURATION: Inauguration Day in January was a moving moment for many Americans, as the nation’s first black president took the oath of office. But Obama soon confronted the sobering realities of governing as he struggled to get the economy back on track and win support for his ambitious legislative priorities.
 -3. HEALTH CARE: A sweeping overhaul of the U.S. health care system, extending coverage to millions of Americans now without it, was a top priority for Obama and majority Democrats in Congress. But Republicans were almost unanimously opposed, leading to complex, bitterly partisan showdowns in both chambers.
 -4. AUTO INDUSTRY: It was an immensely challenging year for America’s Big Three automakers. General Motors and Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, GM’s CEO Rick Wagoner was ousted by the government, and Chrysler was pressured into an alliance with Italy’s Fiat. Ford avoided bankruptcy, but its worldwide sales – like its competitors’ – fell sharply.
 -5. SWINE FLU: Swine flu struck tens of millions of people worldwide, worrying governments as supplies of vaccine failed to meet demand. In the United States, according to federal authorities, swine flu sickened an estimated 50 million people, hospitalized close to 200,000 and killed 10,000.
 -6. AFGHANISTAN: Casualties on all sides mounted as U.S. forces, with their Afghan and NATO allies, battled the resilient Taliban. President Obama, after lengthy deliberations, opted to send 30,000 more troops. His decision was complicated by the disputed Afghan election, which prompted allegations of widespread fraud but resulted in President Hamid Karzai taking office for a second five-year term.
 -7. MICHAEL JACKSON DIES: The “King of Pop” died at the age of 50, triggering grief and nostalgia among his legions of fans around the world. His doctor became the focus of a Los Angeles police homicide investigation after telling investigators he administered propofol, a powerful operating room anesthetic, to help the pop star sleep.
 -8. FORT HOOD RAMPAGE: An Army psychiatrist, Maj. Nidal Hasan, was accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, a sprawling military base in Texas, before being seriously wounded by police gun fire. Investigations were launched to determine if authorities missed warning signs that might have prevented the rampage.
 -9. EDWARD KENNEDY DIES. Sen. Edward Kennedy, who carried on the family legacy after the deaths of his three older brothers, died of brain cancer after a distinctive political career filled with highs and lows. Though his own presidential aspirations were thwarted, he earned bipartisan respect for decades of hard work in the Senate.
 -10. MIRACLE ON HUDSON: A US Airways passenger jet, both its engines disabled, made an emergency ditching in the Hudson River, and all 155 on board survived in what was dubbed “The Miracle on the Hudson.” The veteran pilot, Chesley Sullenberger, was hailed as a hero for averting a disaster.
 In Orange County, unofficially, the top news stories should probably include:
1. The trial and felony conviction of disgraced Sheriff Mike Carona.
2. President Obama’s March town hall in Costa Mesa on Healthcare reform.
3. The Mike Duvall resignation and special election in AD-72.
4. Westminster council member Andy Quatch’s DUI arrest.
5. The Rick Warren Inaugural prayer flap.
6. The proposed sale of the OC Fairgrounds.
7. The OC-based Birther movement.
8. The state budget crisis, special election, and impact on local municipalities.
9. Speaker Pelosi’s keynote at the Truman dinner
10. Octomom, the Real Housewives and other OC-reality phenoms.
Let me know if you feel a differently about the AP list or my list.
I think once the fate of the Fairgrounds is actually known, it’s a great 2010 story, but the build up against the sale is a good 2009 story at #6.
And for the brave and anonymous commenters who think the John Moorlach/Janet Nguyen dust up is a top ten story, ah, no it’s not. If anything, Moorlach’s continued insistence on pursuing a lawsuit without merit is a far juicier story. I can’t say Janet’s done anything that remarkable this year.