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March 2014

Mar 31, 2014

Income redistribution

Host Mary Walden says that there are many federal and state programs that use tax revenues to financially and economically help families with limited resources. When we look at families of different income levels, what kinds of differences do we see in terms of taxes paid compared to government benefits received, she asks her husband, N.C. State economics Mike Walden? 

Mar 28, 2014

You Decide: Competition or Regulation in the Cable Market?

There’s controversy in the cable industry, and it has to do with company size, market power and the level of competition. Recently, the largest cable consolidation ever was announced. Will the company be too big? 

Mar 28, 2014

Comparing local economies

Host Mary Walden says that people often compare local economies, like Charlotte and Raleigh or Wilmington and Asheville. Often, these comparisons show big differences. Her husband, N.C. State economist Mike Walden explains why. 

Mar 27, 2014

Cooperative Extension’s history featured on UNC-TV

UNC-TV's North Carolina NOW has aired the first in a series of stories about the history and programs of N.C. Cooperative Extension's centennial. 

Mar 27, 2014

Risky jobs?

Despite rules and regulations governing the workplace, all jobs aren’t the same when it comes to risk, says host Mary Walden. Some are just inherently more risking than others. She asks her husband, N.C. State economist Mike Walden, “If everything else were equal, it seems like people would rather take safer jobs. Why don’t they?” 

Mar 26, 2014

‘Creative destructionism’

Change is sometimes very hard to deal with, especially in the economy where it seems like we are constantly seeing some companies and jobs destroyed while new ones are created, says host Mary Walden. She asks her husband, N.C. State economist Mike Walden, “Is this a new phenomenon?” 

Mar 25, 2014

Partnerships between CALS and commodity groups celebrated at ‘essential check-in’ meeting

Leaders representing 50 of the state’s commodity groups and agriculturally related organizations were in attendance March 11 at a meeting hosted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. One of the main objectives for the meeting was to strengthen relationships and identify collaborative ways to meet the needs of the state, nation and world. 

Mar 25, 2014

Gender unemployment gaps

Host Mary Walden points out that issues in the labor market have not impacted everyone equally. One difference we see today is that the jobless rate for men is higher than that for women. She asks her husband and N.C. State economist Mike Walden, “Is this unusual when we look around the world?” 

Mar 24, 2014

Avoiding Japan’s economy

Economists say Japan’s economy has been in a major slump for much of the past 15 years, says host Mary Walden. Some say that there are parallel trends in the U.S. economy and Japan’s. She asks her husband, N.C. State economist Mike Walden, “Can we or will we avoid where Japan has been?” 

Mar 21, 2014

Measuring inflation

The rise in prices that economists call “inflation” affects everyone, says host Mary Walden. Recent government reports suggest inflation is tame, averaging between 1 percent and 2 percent annually. But there are critics who say the government mismeasures inflation. She asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, “Are their complaints valid?”