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May 2012

May 31, 2012

Electric vehicles and the environment

Typically people are interested in purchasing electric-powered vehicles for three reasons: They get better fuel economy, they avoid buying expensive gasoline, and they want to help the environment by reducing pollutants. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers the last reason and whether purchasing electric-powered vehicles always helps the environment. 

May 30, 2012

Digital manufacturing

We are in what some call the digital age, an age of era of computers, tablets and smart phones. But now the word digital is being used in another context – in digital manufacturing. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

May 29, 2012

Estimated cost of losing a job

Losing your job can be devastating, in more ways than one. How much, in dollars and cents, does such a lost cost a person? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

May 28, 2012

How’s commercial real estate doing?

Just as in residential real estate, there was a big pullback in the commercial real estate during the recession. But now that the broad economy is in a recovery, do we also see improvement in commercial real estate? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

May 25, 2012

YOU DECIDE: What explains North Carolina's high jobless rate?

North Carolina has the seventh highest unemployment rate in the nation. Mike Walden discusses the factors that may have contributed to the state's unusually high jobless rate. 

May 25, 2012

Social Security problems

Each year the trustees of the Social Security system issue a report on the system’s financial condition. The 2012 report is out, and N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says the news it contains is not good. 

May 24, 2012

Specialists receive program awards

An individual specialist and a team were recognized for program excellence at the May 15 meeting of the N.C. Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists. Robert Bardon received the Individual Program Award and members of the Livestock/Forage Agent Training Conference team received the Team Award. 

May 24, 2012

Dean honors Awards of Excellence winners

Five College of Agriculture and Life Sciences staff members were honored recently with 2012 Awards of Excellence, which honors outstanding individual achievements and contributions to the CALS mission. The winners were honored during an awards luncheon in Raleigh May 18. 

May 24, 2012

The bio-economy

Recently the federal government outlined a strategy for developing and expanding something called the bio-economy. What exactly is the bio-economy, and why is it important? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

May 23, 2012

Extension offers advice on kudzu bugs

Homeowners and soybean growers in North Carolina are in for a surprise this year, as kudzu bugs continue their march across the Southeast. This invasive pest congregates en masse on home siding and legumes, like soybeans.