News

Apr 30, 2014

Will the Best Job Measure Stand Up?

Every month, when they are released, the job numbers receive a tremendous amount of scrutiny. Analysts focus on two measures: the unemployment rate and the number of jobs created. But some economists say neither is the best gauge of the job market, says host Mary Walden. “What do they say is?” she asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden. 

Apr 29, 2014

Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center celebrates 50 years, looks ahead to the next 50

Fifty years to the day after the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center was dedicated, the center is throwing a party, and all are invited to attend. The celebration and open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 17 at the center, which is located in Reidsville, N.C. 

Apr 29, 2014

Why Are We Driving Less?

For much of the last half century, one of the major trends in the country has been increased driving, says host Mary Walden. Vehicle ownership rose. Households moved to the suburbs, and road construction couldn’t keep up with the increased driving. But this hasn’t necessarily been the case in recent years, she tells her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, and asks, “What happened?” 

Apr 28, 2014

Reaping a healthy harvest

Nearly 8,000 miles, an ocean and seven time zones separate the small town of Kannapolis, N.C. from the heartland of southern Africa. Food scientist Mary Ann Lila knows the distance all too well. She’s visited 17 African countries in the past eight years. 

Apr 28, 2014

Where are the welders?

One of your cousins recently retired from a career as a welder. He told his children not to follow in his footsteps as a welder, arguing it was very hard work and was a dying occupation, says host Mary Walden to her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden. She then asks, “Is he correct?” 

Apr 25, 2014

You Decide: Which future will prevail?

The optimistic and pessimistic views of our long-term economic future couldn’t be more different. Perhaps rather being one or the other, the future might be a combination of the two. 

Apr 25, 2014

Growth through Efficiency

A long time ago, I learned that sometimes the simple things are the most important. Some are saying this should be the guiding principle for our economy, especially as it applies to using our resources, says host Mary Walden. She asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, “Please explain.” 

Apr 24, 2014

Peak population

For the first time in centuries, perhaps since the Middle Ages, experts are predicting an eventual limit for the world’s population. This is after decades of an exploding population and concerns about adequate resources, says host Mary Walden. "What has caused the turnaround?" she asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden. 

Apr 23, 2014

A switch in poverty

I can remember when I was a child several decades ago (we won’t say how many) that my family worried a lot about my grandparents, says host Mary Walden. That wasn’t unusual because living in old age wasn’t easy for many economically. Once they stopped working, older folks had no labor income and pensions were meager. "Has that changed today?" she asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden. 

Apr 22, 2014

BAE head Robert Evans named to the International Drainage Hall of Fame

Dr. Robert Evans, head of the college's Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, recently was named to the International Drainage Hall of Fame.