May 2012

May 23, 2012

2012 Dock of the Bay event is a seaside success

More than 300 guests enjoyed an evening of casual elegance May 5 at the ninth annual On the Dock of the Bay fund-raiser at the Eastern 4-H Environmental Education Conference Center in Columbia. 

May 23, 2012

Watching interest rates

Interest rates are one of the key factors in the economy. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden tells where they are now – and where they might be headed. 

May 22, 2012

CEFS receives regional Magrath Award

Two North Carolina land-grant universities affiliated with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) – N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University –were among those named regional winners of the C. Peter Magrath University Engagement Award for 2012, presented by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). 

May 22, 2012

A budget idea

Most people know the federal government has big budget issues, including the recent significant growth in the national debt. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at one simple idea to address the budget that might have wide appeal. 

May 21, 2012

Smaller education gains

Since World War II generations in the United States have successively gotten better educated. Economists say this is a big factor in standard-of-living improvements over the last 60 years. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says this trend is beginning to change. 

May 18, 2012

Can we stop high gas prices?

Gas prices are clearly hitting people in their wallets and pocketbooks. They also have to potential to stall the economy. Is there anything we can do to push prices down? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

May 17, 2012

Unemployment confusion

Many people have questions about how unemployment and the unemployment rate are calculated each month. Issues have arisen about the tie-in to unemployment benefits -- whether self-employed workers and others are included. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden helps clear up the confusion. 

May 16, 2012

Student Perspectives: Justin Hills

Working in the laboratory of Dr. Rob Dunn has given N.C. State University biological sciences student Justin Hills insight into – and passion for – public health and science communication. This summer, he’s headed to Ghana to investigate liver cancer, a first step in his quest to help address health disparities that exist among different communities nationally and internationally. Hear more in this audio slideshow, with photos by Becky Kirkland, N.C. State University Communications. 

May 16, 2012

'Almanac Gardener' continues through September

“Almanac Gardener,” featuring North Carolina Cooperative Extension home horticulture experts, continues its season on WUNC-TV through September. 

May 16, 2012

Solving TBTF

The issue of TBTF -- or too big to fail -- is at the crux of our recent recession. The recession threatened our financial system and led to government help for many bank and financial institutions, but critics say the expectation of this government backstop motivated many in the financial sector to take big risks and this behavior contributed to the recession in the first place. Is there an easy way to resolve this issue? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers.