October 23, 2025
Commentary/Opinion
You Decide: Will Prices Decline?
By Mike Walden During the presidential campaign, both major candidates promised to lower prices if elected. Now that the election is over, will President-elect Trump be able to fulfill that…
You Decide: Is The Economy Passing Its Annual Evaluation?
By Mike Walden Most of us — especially senior citizens like me — have a yearly medical evaluation. In fact, I just had mine, and my doctor was mostly pleased…
You Decide: How Can Social Security Be Saved?
By Mike Walden My wife and I have been receiving monthly Social Security payments for several years. We also receive monthly payments from other retirement programs, so we are lucky…
Opinion: When Carolina Ladies Made History
By John Hood RALEIGH — Over the next couple of years, you’ll hear a great deal about the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding. In July 2026, Americans will cheer…
You Decide: Is Economic Growth Spreading In North Carolina?
By Mike Walden North Carolina’s economy has been a powerhouse of growth in recent decades. The state has been recognized by several organizations as one of the top places for…
You Decide: What Does The Fed’s Rate Cut Mean?
By Mike Walden Recently the Federal Reserve (the Fed) made headlines by reducing its interest rate for the first time since 2020. Most analysts applauded the cut, and households —…
You Decide: Why Is There Confusion About The Job Market?
By Mike Walden As a professional economist for almost five decades, I am the first to admit that many economic numbers and measures are confusing. How many people — besides…
You Decide: Are We Headed For A Recession?
By Dr. Mike Walden The year 2024 began with optimism for the economy. Despite relatively high interest rates and efforts by the Federal Reserve to slow the pace of the…
Remembering Carl Lamm
By Brad Crone There aren’t many times you meet someone like Carl Lamm. There was something about his presence that made you feel good, feel special. You wanted to hang…
A Tribute To Mr. Carl Lamm
I had been listening to WTSB for years and enjoyed his daily program Carl and Friends. In 2012 I was teaching history at Johnston Community College. His excellent and informative…
You Decide: What Will AI Mean For North Carolina Jobs?
By Dr. Mike Walden AI — short for “artificial intelligence”— is the technology wiz of the moment. One-third of businesses are now using AI, with the number expected to rapidly…
You Decide: Did COVID Permanently Change The Labor Market?
By Dr. Mike Walden I doubt that anyone alive during the COVID pandemic will forget it. Many of us are reminded of it every day. Certainly, many remember being ill,…
