Dee Shore

Mar 16, 2012

Confusion over unemployment

The last national jobs report was considered a good one: Jobs were up and the unemployment rate was down. Yet some analysts say these results were misleading because they don’t account for workers who have dropped out of the labor force and aren’t counted as jobless. So, what’s the correct way to look at the report? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Mar 15, 2012

Home prices and babies

Home prices have fluctuated dramatically in the last 15 years. First, we have the house-price boom. Then it was followed by a house-price bust. Have there been some impacts of this fluctuation on family choices? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Mar 14, 2012

Right-to-work states

Indiana recently passed legislation to become the latest right-to-work state. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what a right-to-work state is and why the concept is sometimes controversial. 

Mar 13, 2012

Signaling your preferences

People typically buy things to serve a need. Also, most of us like to serve that need in the least expensive way possible. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says there are times when buying meets other objectives. 

Mar 12, 2012

Has the Fed helped?

The Federal Reserve has traditionally been a rather obscure agency that few outside of finance and economics knew about. But the Fed has already been a prominent subject in this year’s political campaigns. Some say the Fed has outlived its usefulness, and may even be harming the economy’s long-run health. How can we decide if the Fed is helpful or harmful? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Mar 10, 2012

Fresh off the Bench

Eager instructors, ‘cool courses’ and the very latest from the lab are the benefits of the Biotechnology Program’s unique teaching postdoctoral fellowship. 

Mar 9, 2012

Cyclical and structural issues

It’s easy to get confused over proposals to fix the economy. Some say the answer is more government spending, while others say government spending is the problem. Is there an easy resolution? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in. 

Mar 8, 2012

Container gardening guidance

A new publication from N.C. Cooperative Extension gives Piedmont gardeners guidance on growing fruits, herbs and vegetables in containers. 

Mar 8, 2012

Who avoided the recession

A new report looks at the impacts of the recession on both states and communities. One interesting finding was that some areas continued to prosper, even during the economic hard times. Where were these areas? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Mar 7, 2012

Forecasting energy jobs

There’s great interest in the energy sector as a way to create jobs. Proponents of these energy sources -- from oil and gas exploration to solar and wind power -- often tell what they will mean for new jobs. But is it easy to make a connection between energy production and jobs? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in.