Author: Dee Shore

Nov 25, 2010

New tobacco uses

At one time tobacco was the dominant industry in North Carolina. It is still significant, but certainly less so than in the past. N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden says that as smoking rates have declined, tobacco producers shifting to new uses for their products. 

Nov 24, 2010

World housing prices

A recent report indicated housing prices are still falling in the United States. But are we alone? What have housing prices been doing in other countries? N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden responds. 

Nov 23, 2010

Grain is gold

Some key farm prices are at lofty levels. What’s bringing this good news to the farmers? N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden responds. 

Nov 22, 2010

Pluses and minuses of low interest rates

Interest rates are at a generation low today, and some think they will even go lower. What kind of impacts do those low rates have? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Nov 19, 2010

Study shows Mid-Atlantic wheat growers not likely to benefit from fungicides when fields aren’t diseased

Mid-Atlantic wheat growers aren’t likely to get any economic benefit by applying fungicides to wheat fields that aren’t infected with fungal diseases. That’s the conclusion of scientists based at N.C. State University who conducted the first peer-reviewed study of its kind on calendar-based application of fungicides in wheat. 

Nov 19, 2010

North Carolina reaches jobs milestone

The latest N.C. jobs report shows that the state's unemployment rate finally reached the national unemployment rate of 9.6 percent. This is the first time in more than two years that the state’s jobless rate hasn’t been higher than the national rate. But N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden says it isn't necessarily time to celebrate. 

Nov 18, 2010

What makes Germany tick?

Germany suffered through the recession like most countries, but its recovery has been stronger. Years ago Germany was thought of as being noncompetitive because of high labor costs and sluggish production. N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden takes a look at what changed. 

Nov 17, 2010

Grad student sheds light on mercury contamination in fish

"My project mainly looks at mercury contamination in fish and focuses on the risk to wildlife and people," says biology Ph.D. student Dana Sackett. "It is really important that we understand it well so we can control our risk." In this audio slideshow, hear more from this student who's increasing our understanding of an important environmental and health issue. 

Nov 17, 2010

Buying cars using the Internet

Everyone likes to save money when buying something, and the way we do this has changed. Many people think using the Internet is a way to lower the price of what we are buying. Is there any evidence to support this belief? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in. 

Nov 16, 2010

TARP revisited

TARP, or the Troubled Asset Recovery Program, was the controversial $700 billion program passed in the fall of 2008 to assist the banking system. It was a political hot potato in many races this year. As an investment, how did the government do on the TARP? N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden answers.