WRAL Tech Wire

 You decide: Should you buy local?

Opinion: There's a movement afoot to encourage us to buy local, but that has some flaws as well as benefits. Consumers need to decide.

 As economy struggles, what policy path should we follow?

Analysis: Clearly, the economy is the primary issue in the country. Yet there doesn't seem to be agreement on solutions to our economic problems. Part of the reason is that consensus on solutions doesn't exist among economists.

 You decide: What should I tell new economics students?

As a new semester starts at North Carolina State University, what do I - and should I - tell undergraduates about this discipline held in both high and low regard?

 A sure bet: North Carolina's economy will continue to change

The "Big Five" of technology, pharmaceuticals, banking, food processing and motor vehicle parts supplanted the "Big Three" of tobacco, furniture and textiles. What's next?

 As economy recovers, why aren't the jobs coming back?

Analysis fro NCSU economist Mike Walden: CEOs want to make sure the economy has recovered. Plus, improving productivity and lack of job training also hold down hiring.

 State of world 2011: Are we losing our global economic clout?

Analysis: Can foreign owners of our debt use it as a form of economic blackmail? And is the U.S. dollar about to lose its status as the number one currency in the world? People are wondering.

 Is Silicon Valley-focused Quora the new rage in social media? Nope

Opinion from Vivek Wadhwa: Is Quora a trend or a fad? Likely, the latter. What is more likely to happen and makes far more sense is that a new generation of private, gated communities will grow and evolve. This is where people with common interests will gather and exchange ideas.

 Are good-paying skilled jobs disappearing? No, but ...

Analysis: Americans' worries about jobs are deep, and those are based on two factors. One is a long-held worry that technology and modern equipment are replacing jobs. The second is newer: That trade with other countries is cutting jobs here. Are the worries justified? That's a complicated answer.

 State's economic indicators show 'robust' surge in October, NCSU says

North Carolina's economy "will continue its current path of positive, yet modest, growth in coming months," forecasts NCSU economist Dr. Michael Walden.

NCSU Index: State economy improves

 How can we forecast the economic future?

Analysis: Economists do take the job of trying to assess where the economy might be going seriously. Models offer insights into what is happening and what might happen. But none is perfect.

 Elections are over - How will new mix of leaders govern?

Analysis: Big three factors of the economy, government spending and debt, and taxes will all have to be debated in the coming months. Polls show voters are angry. How will the politicians respond?

 Helping jobless: Is there a better way than current benefits?

Analysis: Some economists believe a lump sum payment might be a better solution for the jobless than weekly benefits check.

 Economy is down-shifting – We’re growing, but at a puny rate

Tough times: Unfortunately, there's no "easy button" to push to magically create jobs and income. The good news is that consumers are doing what they need to do - working off excesses they built up in earlier years. The bad news is, this takes time.

 Is U.S. still competitive? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’

Analysis from NCSU Economist Michael Walden: Based on the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index, where does the U.S. rank in the latest reading for 2010? The answer is number two out of 133 countries. Only Switzerland ranked higher. The U.S. actually ranked number one in 2008 and 2009 and only missed the top spot this year due to the depth of the recession.

 State of N.C.’s economy: Slow growth is better than no growth

Analysis from NCSU Economist Michael Walden: The strong growth of the past six months has been fueled by businesses restocking their inventories and consumers opening up their wallets after two years of pinching pennies. Now, however, the inventory replenishment is almost complete, and consumers have returned to facing the reality of the high debts they continue to carry.

 As recession lingers, capitalism itself is under attack

Analysis from NCSU Economist Michael Walden: Many economic historians have argued that capitalism has brought more prosperity to more people than any other economic system developed. But the economic events of the last two years have called the system into question. Each person will have to decide the degree to which capitalism is at fault.

 Recession is over, but a ‘slow, agonizing’ recovery is at hand

Economic analysis from NCSU's Michael Walden: While N.C.’s economy is no longer receding, current levels of the major indicators are still well below pre-recessionary levels. The economic recovery will likely proceed at a slow, agonizing pace, in large part due to the debt reduction households need to rebalance their financial sheets after their significant loss of wealth.

 Checking the worry meter: Economic forecast is partly cloudy

Analysis from NCSU’s Mike Walden: Borrowing from my meteorological friends, I would call our economic future partly cloudy with the possibility of sunshine if the correct conditions prevail. You - and time - will decide the accuracy of this forecast.

 What’s the future look like for college graduates? Be excited

Analysis from NCSU’s Mike Walden: There's no question our economy faces challenges, and in many ways it's harder to work and succeed today than in previous decades. But there is an upside. In the past, recovery has often been associated with major inventions, new industries and unpredictable opportunities. Many futurists think we're on the cusp of another such economic rebirth.

 Recession is over – From economists’ point of view

Analysis from NCSU’s Mike Walden: Based on the technical, economic definition of a recession, it could very well be a thing of the past. The problem is there's a difference between how an economist defines a recession and how a recession is considered among the general public.

Recession really over?