Author: Dee Shore

Jul 18, 2011

Career options

Are young people today motivated to stay in school? And do they see going to school as an avenue to getting a good job? N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden discusses what the latest research says for North Carolina. 

Jul 15, 2011

Creating jobs

Although we have seen job creation in the past year, but if we want to get back to some sense of normalcy in the job market, what kind of job creation will the country have to undertake during the remainder of the decade? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in. 

Jul 14, 2011

The bond bet

Although they perhaps aren’t as flashy as stocks, bonds are a very important key investment. A few weeks ago, a major fund investor controlling billions of dollars said he was selling all of his bonds because he thought interest rates were going to rise. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers whether the investor's bet has paid off. 

Jul 13, 2011

A pause or a dip?

The economic numbers recently haven’t been good. Job growth has sputtered. Home prices are still falling. And consumers are feeling less confident. About the only good news is that gas prices have backed off some, although they’re still well above $3 a gallon. Some fear we could be headed into another recession. Listen to what N.C. State University economist Mike Walden has to say. 

Jul 12, 2011

Peach workshop to be held July 19

A workshop designed to provide peach growers with information ranging from pre-plant considerations through harvest will take place July 19 at the Sandhills Research Station in Jackson Springs. 

Jul 12, 2011

A return to ARMs

Financing the purchase of a home has become much more of a challenge today than it was 5 or 10 years ago. But one element of this process seems to be coming back around, and that’s the use of ARMs, or adjustable rate mortgages. Is this a good thing? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Jul 11, 2011

New use for N.C. sweet potatoes: Dried products for pet food, animal feed

North Carolina is the leading state when it comes to producing both sweet potatoes and tobacco, and a new N.C. State University research project is designed to build on both strengths to create new markets for farmers. The Sweet Potato Dehydration Project is exploring ways to use tobacco-curing barns to dry sweet potatoes for use in pet food and animal feed. 

Jul 11, 2011

We’ve been here before

No one’s happy about the slow rate of progress in the job market. Although jobs have been added and the unemployment rate has dropped in the last year, the numbers are still not back to where they were before the recession. Is this the worst jobs recovery in recent memory? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Jul 8, 2011

Dueling studies

In debates about the impact of the state budget, studies are often provided measuring the impact on jobs as a result of various policies. For example, one study might show how many jobs might be kept if spending in a particular program is maintained, while another might show job creation if certain taxes are reduced. N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden discusses ways the average person can judge these various studies. 

Jul 7, 2011

Turfgrass Field Day takes place Aug. 10

The latest research related to turfgrass will be the focus of an N.C. State University field day set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, in Raleigh.