Author: Dee Shore

May 3, 2012

Debt and interest rates

By one measure the national debt has tripled during the last 15 years. Although there certainly is concern about this trend, there doesn’t seem to be a rush to deal with the issue. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden discusses why. 

May 2, 2012

Three federal budget trends

The federal budget creates a lot of discussion and controversy. It’s a very complicated document, with all federal spending totaling over $3.5 trillion. But are there trends within the federal budget that will help us understand some of the issues? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

May 1, 2012

The $2 billion team

A group of investors recently agreed to pay around $2 billion for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This is a record payment for any pro-sports team anywhere in the world. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers how investors can ever hope to recover their money. 

Apr 30, 2012

Worms can recycle your garbage

Vermicomposting turns many types of kitchen food scraps into nutritious soil amendments or growth media for plants. When vermicompost is added to soil, it boosts the nutrients available to plants and enhances soil structure and drainage. Learn more in this newly revised publication (PDF) from North Carolina Cooperative Extension. 

Apr 30, 2012

A time to take stock

The sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming. Spring is also tax season. Is there anything special about this time of year from a financial point of view? 

Apr 27, 2012

Gas prices and housing prices

Paying for shelter and for transportation are two of the more important expenditures people make. Some economists are saying these two spending types are more interrelated than many might think. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Apr 26, 2012

How to help

When it comes to households in our country that need assistance, there’s a longstanding debate on how to provide this help. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden summarizes the competing viewpoints. 

Apr 25, 2012

Structural unemployment

We’re just now beginning to see some positive movement in the labor market, but many economists say it will be many years -- maybe up to a decade -- before unemployment returns to a normal rate of 5 percent. N.C. State University’s Mike Walden explains why. 

Apr 24, 2012

N.C. State develops mobile hand-washing stations to help farmers reduce food safety risks

As food safety issues continue to garner national attention, N.C. State University is helping farmers in North Carolina take steps to manage food safety risks. N.C. State has developed two portable hand-washing station prototypes as customizable models for local growers in an effort to help them provide quality hand-washing facilities in their fields and at their market stalls. 

Apr 24, 2012

Globalization and the service economy

When it comes to globalization, we may think first of lost factory jobs. But increasingly globalization is also affecting service-sector jobs. Why is this? And what has been the impact? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains.