News

Dec 6, 2011

Cheaper to buy?

There are really two real estate markets for consumers: the buying market and the renting market. They don’t necessarily move in the same direction. What has been happening to prices in each market, and what does that imply about the relative benefits of buying a home or renting? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Dec 5, 2011

Cooperative Extension helps educate citizens about natural gas leases

Two years ago, Lee County Extension Director Susan Condlin and some local Cooperative Extension advisors began seeing paid advertisements in the local newspaper, inquiring about leases for mineral rights. Condlin discovered that the natural gas industry was knocking on Lee County’s door, and many landowners didn’t have the information they needed to make informed decisions on leasing their mineral rights. 

Dec 5, 2011

Food safety leader joins N.C. State faculty

The chief executive officer of the Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention has joined the North Carolina State University faculty. 

Dec 5, 2011

Solving molecular mysteries

Along with two African scientists, CALS' Dr. Linda Hanley-Bowdoin is focusing on tiny subviral particles that could be the key to addressing big food production problems. 

Dec 5, 2011

Is college still worth the cost?

Getting a college degree used to be a guarantee for landing a good paying job. But no more. Like millions of other people, many workers with college degrees have lost their jobs, and many new college graduates can’t find a job in their field. Does this mean young people should re-evaluate? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers whether going to college is still worthwhile. 

Dec 2, 2011

Swartzel named Innovator of the Year

The award was presented at the OTT annual awards program on Nov. 22 at the N.C. State Alumni Center. 

Dec 2, 2011

Who's hiring?

Although there’ve been more than 2 million jobs created nationwide during the last two years, there are still 6 million people unemployed who had jobs before the recession. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says small companies are the ones most likely to consider hiring someone who's unemployed. 

Dec 1, 2011

Report favors access to processing plant data

A report from an expert committee convened by the National Research Council at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture came out in favor of public access to the voluminous data gathered by the department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on individual meat and egg processors. The committee was chaired by Dr. Lee-Ann Jaykus, N.C. State professor of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences. 

Dec 1, 2011

Nickels for Know-How referendum passes with overwhelming vote

Described as a self-help program for farmers, Nickels for Know-How is a 60-year-old voluntary assessment on feed and fertilizer produced and purchased in North Carolina. On Nov. 16, the Nickels referendum passed with a whopping 96 percent of the vote. 

Dec 1, 2011

Looking ahead to Christmas selling

It’s well known that the Christmas buying season is a make or break time for many businesses. How strong will buying be this year? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden provides his outlook.