CNN used data from RealtyTrac, The National Bureau of Economic Research, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics to create an interactive map showing unemployment, employment, and foreclosure trends. Users can capture statistical information for a specific month or view the changes in each category from the time the recession began in December of 2007 through December 2009. MCH has been tracking the impact of the economic crisis for many months and we have consistently reported that safe havens are the education, government, and healthcare sectors. Although every industry has suffered, the job situation in the safe haven industries is on the positive side of the scale.

President Obama will address a joint session of Congress tonight and is expected to provide a high-level overview of the administration’s recovery plan.

USA Today featured a job growth forecast, prepared by Moody’s Economy.com. The report is segmented by geographic region and 14 key industries. Although the forecast for job growth, like the economy, is for the situation to get worse before it gets better, Education, Health Services, and Government are segments that are projected to either remain stable or grow in 2009. Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and Construction are industry segments that may not experience growth until at least 2010.

Moody’s will be adding interactive graphics on 318 metro areas in the coming weeks.