Author: Dee Shore

Feb 2, 2011

Low-impact development project wins state award

A N.C. Cooperative Extension-led educational project on development practices to protect water quality recently won a top award from the N.C. Chapter of the American Planning Association. 

Feb 1, 2011

Raising the debt limit

Periodically Congress and the President must agree to increase the country's debt limit to allow the government to continue borrowing money. Every time this issue arises, it sparks intense debate. What would happen if the debt limit were not increased? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Jan 31, 2011

Wiggle room in the federal budget

Many people want to balance the federal budget by focusing on reducing government spending. How easy is that? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in. 

Jan 31, 2011

New garden book available

Eleven years ago, North Carolina Cooperative Extension launched the newsletter Extension's Successful Gardener to address the high demand for gardening information across the state. Founding editor Leah Chester-Davis has joined with team member, Extension agent and acclaimed garden-book author Toby Bost to produce a book with some of the newsletter's best material. 

Jan 28, 2011

Superbugs from swine?

New research from North Carolina State University and Kansas State University shows that the common pests that live on the swine farms acquire antibiotic-resistant bacteria and have the potential to spread these bacteria. 

Jan 28, 2011

Strawberry breakfast a sweet start to Valentine's Day

Looking for a way to get Valentine's Day off to a sweet start? Try the strawberry blonde muffin recipe that a Johnson & Wales student developed as part of the N.C. Strawberry Project, a partnership with N.C. State University. 

Jan 28, 2011

Confusing job numbers

National job numbers for December paint a confusing picture: One job survey showed a rather modest increase in employment, but the other survey indicated a major decline in the unemployment rate. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden clarifies the findings. 

Jan 27, 2011

Why do bubbles happen?

The recession began with the so-called bursting of the investment bubble in residential housing. But what exactly is an investment bubble? And what causes it? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Jan 26, 2011

Can the grid handle it?

In coming years electric-powered vehicles are expected to greatly increase in popularity, and many people would like to see them take over a greater share of the market so we can reduce our reliance on oil and gas. But do experts foresee any problems in meeting the electricity usage that these vehicles will create? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in. 

Jan 25, 2011

Pension plans

Many states are facing problems with the public pensions. In some of those states there are recommendations to dramatically change how government workers are paid a pension. N.C. State University Extension economist Mike Walden outlines these discussions.