News

Feb 19, 2013

College grads lose less

The recession we’ve been through has been so long and so deep that it has touched virtually everyone. Yet the impact has not been felt equally. How has the recession’s impacts varied with a person’s education level? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 18, 2013

Job churning

If economic forecasters are correct, we will see over 2 million jobs created in the country this year. But, as N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains, this doesn’t mean all existing jobs will stay in place and we will simply add 2 million to the total. 

Feb 15, 2013

YOU DECIDE: What are today’s best investment rules?

Investing can be confusing. Mike Walden offers time-tested rules for investing that make sense (and cents). 

Feb 15, 2013

The cost of electronic medical records

A long-standing recommendation for improving our health-care system and reducing costs has been to computerize paper medical records. This could save money by reducing storage space and increase efficiency by facilitating the sharing of that information by health-care professionals. But is there any evidence such outcomes actually occur? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 14, 2013

Borrowing from retirement

A report recently released found Americans have increasingly used funds from their retirement investments for daily expenses – and this is before they have retired. How are they doing it, and is it a good idea? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 13, 2013

Extension employees to be recognized during March 6 event

N.C. Cooperative Extension staffs will be recognized March 6 during N.C. State University’s Staff and Faculty Appreciation Day. Send in your staff photo, come to the game, or watch the game live and register for prizes. 

Feb 13, 2013

Borrowing more

There’s been much attention on the national debt and ways to reduce the government borrowing fueling that debt. But some prominent economists are actually recommending the opposite – more federal borrowing. What is their reasoning? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 12, 2013

Is the ‘new normal’ over?

The term 'new normal,' coined a few years ago, applies to our very slowly improving economy. Some economists are upbeat about the economy and are saying the new normal doesn’t apply. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 11, 2013

Center for Environmental Farming Systems receives $3.9 million grant

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) has been awarded a five-year $3.9 million grant to build and evaluate supply chains for local farmers and fishers to supply large-scale markets in North Carolina. The grant was awarded by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). 

Feb 11, 2013

Will it end badly?

The Federal Reserve has created a lot of money and kept interest rates very low, in order to support and stimulate the economy. But some worry about the downsides of these actions. Are there any? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.