Last month, my colleague Dagney Faulk and I published a study on COVID-related learning loss in Indiana schools (available at https://projects.cberdata.org). The results were surprising and largely positive — or, at least, more hopeful than I expected. The purpose of this work was to better ...
Many avid readers may have noticed a social media post circulating about a book exchange with other book lovers from around the world. The post advertises sending one book and, in return. receiving dozens of books from people from different backgrounds and genre interests.The exchange works ...
Because I am an old man, snow scares me. Sometimes, I think it is downright evil.It weighs down the lines to my house, ready to snap them and plunge me into the cold and dark.If I try to escape, I will find it piled on the porch, ready to grab my feet out from under me, or waiting on the ...
At dinner last week, an attorney from Valparaiso asked what I taught in my 33 years at the Kelley School of Business. “Economics,” I replied. “And,” I continued, “I studied the Indiana economy.”“Does Indiana have an economy?” he asked in all seriousness. I did not have a chance ...
Social media can be a great tool to help find lost pets. A post can be shared by people in the area, or even shelter and rescue sites, to better help spread the word. More eyes on a lost pet always better right? Not ALWAYS.Scammers look for signs of vulnerability to find their next victim. Once ...
The pandemic continues to offer insights into a variety of economic phenomena. One that is particularly interesting is the role of automation, innovation and productivity growth. I can think of few better examples than that of Chick-fil-A. I must report that researching this column required ...
I write about economic development in Indiana. Others write about environmental delights, limitations and desecration by humanity. Both the environment and the economy are too often conceived as big lumps of amorphous matter, too big, too complex, and too mysterious to be understood.Here’s a ...
A criminal whose guilt is obvious gets off on a technicality, and the great debate begins. You’ve undoubtedly heard it, in real life on the news or in detective fiction in print or on the screen.Lock the criminal away despite the technicality, says one side. It’s a perversion of justice to ...
Indiana is in the midst of a fairly brisk recovery from the Pandemic Recession. We are creating jobs at the same rate as the nation as a whole, enjoy a low unemployment rate and our key sectors of manufacturing and logistics are booming. In fact, the Indiana manufacturing economy produced more ...
Dear Editor:Congratulation’s staff and residents of the Northwest Allen County School district! We are now subjects to the Thought Police – otherwise known as the NACS school board. On Jan. 10, a majority – the three male members of the school board, voted 3-2 to ban staff from attending ...
