March 2013

Mar 18, 2013

Growing student debt

Student loan debt in the United States has now reached almost $1 trillion, and as a percentage of all household debt, it has doubled in the past 10 years. But is this a problem? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Mar 15, 2013

YOU DECIDE: Has the population boom fizzled?

Many demographers say the big problem of the future will not be too many people; instead, it will be too few people. Mike Walden discusses. 

Mar 15, 2013

Study sheds light on invasive fruit pest

Humans aren’t the only species with a sweet tooth. N.C. State University researchers and Extension specialists have found that the invasive spotted-wing vinegar fly (Drosophila suzukii) also prefers sweet, soft fruit. Their study sheds new light on a species that has spread across the United States over the past four years and threatens to cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to U.S. fruit crops. 

Mar 15, 2013

Alumni step up

Most universities and colleges around the country faced severe budge t problems during the recession. In many cases, public sources, such as state governments, curtailed funding. Is there any evidence that in such gloomy financial times, alumni increase their donations to help fill the gap? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Mar 14, 2013

All in the family: 4-H mother and daughter have both been state presidents

“My family does 4-H like a lot of families play baseball.” So said Allyson Brake, 18, a Wilson County 4-H’er who started her first livestock project after being given a lamb named “Peanut” for her fifth birthday. 

Mar 14, 2013

Coping with graying

It’s forecasted that by the year 2050, people over age 60 in the world will outnumber children under the age of 14. Some predict the planet’s population will actually begin to drop. Should we be worried? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Mar 13, 2013

Why nations succeed

Why do some nations succeed economically and others fail? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden shares highlights from a new book that explores the reasons. 

Mar 12, 2013

Did the tax hike hurt?

Most workers saw a 2 percentage-point increase in the payroll tax they pay this year. Some worry this will be bad for the economy by causing a reduction in consumer spending. Have we seen any evidence of this adverse effect yet? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Mar 11, 2013

Agbiosciences drive economic growth, job creation in the Southern U.S.

Amid news of a still sputtering U.S. economic recovery, a report released today shows the nation’s agbioscience industries are growing, especially in the South. According to a Battelle study, agriculture, forestry and fisheries production generates $240 billion in regional economic activity within the Southern region and supports over 2.2 million jobs with labor income totaling $62 billion. 

Mar 11, 2013

Rules of the investment road

There’s always uncertainty in investing. One particular problem today is that safe investments pay very low returns, and yet investments like stocks that have done better can always retreat. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden offers five simple rules for the average investor.