2012

Jan 24, 2012

The coming commodity squeeze

Although everyone is focused on today’s challenging economy, it’s helpful to look ahead at some of the economic issues we will likely face down the road. Many experts say a big issue will be both the supply and price of basic commodities. What do they mean? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Jan 23, 2012

CALS entomologist John Meyer honored as top Envirothon mentor

Meyer has been named the 2011 Envirothon Mentor of the Year by the Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Jan 23, 2012

North Carolina jobs: lagging or waiting?

Since the job market bottomed out in early 2010, North Carolina has added jobs but at only one-third the rate of the nation. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains why. 

Jan 20, 2012

YOU DECIDE: How can we solve the essential economic problem?

How do we use our limited resources to satisfy our unlimited wants and needs? That's the essential economic problem. Mike Walden discusses. 

Jan 20, 2012

California thinking

California has been one of the states hardest hit by the recession, and the state continues to face severe budget problems. A commission, the Think Long Committee for California, has just issued their recommendations for changing the tax system in that state. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers whether any of the committee’s ideas are relevant for North Carolina. 

Jan 19, 2012

Who’s driving oil prices?

Oil prices are back near $100 a barrel, but it seems that people are being careful when it comes to how much they drive and putting a priority on fuel efficiency. Why aren’t we being rewarded for our good behavior with lower oil prices? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Jan 18, 2012

Acidified foods workshop offered in Asheville

The "Acidified Foods Better Process Control School" will be held in Asheville Feb. 22-24. This entrepreneurs' workshop will be led by the N.C. State University Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences Extension Program, in cooperation with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

Jan 18, 2012

The ghost of Irving Fisher

Our economy is so large and so complex that understanding it requires some kind of paradigm or framework. But there can be many competing frameworks, which gives us many ways of looking at the economy. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at a framework that has been revived – one proposed by long-departed economist Irving Fisher. 

Jan 17, 2012

Changing economic ideas

With all that’s happened in the economy during the last four years, are economists reassessing some of their basic ideas about how the economy works? N.C. State University professor Mike Walden, who has taught economics for more than one-third of a century, weighs in. 

Jan 16, 2012

Inflationary signals

Next to jobs, inflation is perhaps the biggest economic concern of households. Do recent statistics indicate we have anything to worry about with inflation? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.