Dee Shore

Sep 19, 2012

Student Perspectives: Becky Dobosy

When it comes to addressing issues related to hunger in developing nations, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences nutrition major Becky Dobosy is not sitting still. While she’s been at N.C. State, the junior has traveled near and far to grow her knowledge of nutrition and sustainable agriculture and to put it to work. 

Sep 19, 2012

Impacts of smoking bans

Smoking bans in commercial areas and public places have increased in frequency across the country and even here in North Carolina. In fact, one North Carolina community is even contemplating banning smoking on the beach. N.C. State University economist takes a look at how such bans affect smoking. 

Sep 18, 2012

N.C. State gets new plant scientist, expands at N.C. Research Campus

N.C. State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute continues its expansion efforts by adding another established scientist to its team at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis. Dr. Tzung-Fu Hsieh (pronounced: “Zung Foo Shay”) joined the institute in August 2012 and is developing a research program centered on the biological systems of flowering plants, including fruits and vegetables. With the addition of Hsieh, N.C. State now employs nearly 50 faculty and staff in Kannapolis. 

Sep 18, 2012

QE benefits

The Federal Reserve has enacted a couple of QE, or quantitative easing, programs in recent years. And they may be ready to embark on another. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what quantitative easing is and outlines the benefits. 

Sep 17, 2012

Areas of agreement

There seems to be nothing but disagreement over what should be done about the economy. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says there are some areas that economists and policymakers agree on. 

Sep 14, 2012

It paid to be small

It’s commonly thought that big companies can survive adversity better than small firms. Big companies have more resources and perhaps better access to credit for loans in tough times. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers whether this conventional wisdom was true in the past recession. 

Sep 13, 2012

Measuring poverty

Poverty rates have risen about 4 percentage points in the last decade, with the 2010 measure standing at near 15 percent. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says that analysts don’t think this is an adequate measure of poverty. 

Sep 12, 2012

Better than it looks?

Recently the July jobs report for North Carolina was released. And the headlines didn’t look good. The statewide unemployment rate rose from 9.4 percent to 9.6 percent. But was there any good news in the report? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Sep 11, 2012

An economic lesson

A new semester has started at N.C. State University, with many students eager to learn about economics. Dr. Mike Walden, a professor of agricultural and resource economics, explains what he teaches these students about interest rates. 

Sep 10, 2012

Alternative approaches to Medicare

One of the emerging issues in the national political campaign is Medicare. Medicare provides financial help to the elderly for healthcare expenses. It’s a very large program that many argue is growing too fast to be sustainable. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at some of the alternative ideas for addressing Medicare costs.