L.M Walters
@drlmwalters.bsky.social
Applied economist | Intl trade, labor, immigration policy, all things Caribbean 🐊
Reposted by L.M Walters
Once the top U.S. fast-casual chain, Panera has dipped to number three, falling behind Chipotle and Panda Express.
Now, to try to win back consumers, the chain plans to reinvest in the business and undo many previously implemented cost-cutting measures, it said Tuesday.
Full story: cnb.cx/487BuFk
Now, to try to win back consumers, the chain plans to reinvest in the business and undo many previously implemented cost-cutting measures, it said Tuesday.
Full story: cnb.cx/487BuFk
November 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Once the top U.S. fast-casual chain, Panera has dipped to number three, falling behind Chipotle and Panda Express.
Now, to try to win back consumers, the chain plans to reinvest in the business and undo many previously implemented cost-cutting measures, it said Tuesday.
Full story: cnb.cx/487BuFk
Now, to try to win back consumers, the chain plans to reinvest in the business and undo many previously implemented cost-cutting measures, it said Tuesday.
Full story: cnb.cx/487BuFk
Reposted by L.M Walters
The little countries of our hemisphere are doing what the big ones should have done long ago
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/c...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/c...
The Caribbean’s Migration Milestone
Four countries are defying global anti-migrant sentiment to offer free movement to their citizens.
foreignpolicy.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The little countries of our hemisphere are doing what the big ones should have done long ago
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/c...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/c...
Reposted by L.M Walters
“.. They’re going up and up,” he said. “You wonder, ‘What is your breaking point?’”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
September 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
“.. They’re going up and up,” he said. “You wonder, ‘What is your breaking point?’”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Reposted by L.M Walters
This awful news. In this just-published open access paper I argue we need MORE information about farm labor, not less.
Coupled with the recent USDA decision to do away with the Socially Disadvantaged farmers category, the result is we will know less about critical and vulnerable ag stakeholders.
Coupled with the recent USDA decision to do away with the Socially Disadvantaged farmers category, the result is we will know less about critical and vulnerable ag stakeholders.
September 3, 2025 at 1:19 AM
This awful news. In this just-published open access paper I argue we need MORE information about farm labor, not less.
Coupled with the recent USDA decision to do away with the Socially Disadvantaged farmers category, the result is we will know less about critical and vulnerable ag stakeholders.
Coupled with the recent USDA decision to do away with the Socially Disadvantaged farmers category, the result is we will know less about critical and vulnerable ag stakeholders.
Reposted by L.M Walters
USDA quietly said Friday it will, after a century, end the Farm Labor Survey (FLS), the only wage survey of ag employers.
FLS is a critical input to setting local minimum wages for H-2A visa workers to try to avoid harm to U.S. workers' wages.
#LaborDay #EconSky
www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/Not...
FLS is a critical input to setting local minimum wages for H-2A visa workers to try to avoid harm to U.S. workers' wages.
#LaborDay #EconSky
www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/Not...
August 31, 2025 at 1:18 PM
USDA quietly said Friday it will, after a century, end the Farm Labor Survey (FLS), the only wage survey of ag employers.
FLS is a critical input to setting local minimum wages for H-2A visa workers to try to avoid harm to U.S. workers' wages.
#LaborDay #EconSky
www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/Not...
FLS is a critical input to setting local minimum wages for H-2A visa workers to try to avoid harm to U.S. workers' wages.
#LaborDay #EconSky
www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/Not...
Reposted by L.M Walters
Agricultural economists are sounding the alarm about produce prices doubling (in the US). Yes, doubling. #laborshortages #tariffs #immigrationraids fortune.com/2025/08/28/t...
‘It’s like when you see the tsunami coming in’: Agricultural economists are sounding the alarm about produce prices doubling
Consumers “don’t have a clue what’s going on,” said Raymond Robertson, a labor economist.
fortune.com
August 30, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Agricultural economists are sounding the alarm about produce prices doubling (in the US). Yes, doubling. #laborshortages #tariffs #immigrationraids fortune.com/2025/08/28/t...
Reposted by L.M Walters
For those without access, here is a gift link to the NYTimes article on the sad state of the economics job market www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/b...
The Bull Market for Economists Is Over. It’s an Ominous Sign for the Economy.
www.nytimes.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
For those without access, here is a gift link to the NYTimes article on the sad state of the economics job market www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/b...
Reposted by L.M Walters
Through her research, local foods expert Dara Bloom hopes to improve food access for underserved communities and economic opportunities for small farmers. She says the child care sector can play a key role—if given the chance.
Could Child Care Centers Strengthen Local Food Systems?
A Q&A with local food expert Dara Bloom explores this untapped market for farmers—even though the USDA eliminated funding for such initiatives.
buff.ly
July 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Through her research, local foods expert Dara Bloom hopes to improve food access for underserved communities and economic opportunities for small farmers. She says the child care sector can play a key role—if given the chance.
Reposted by L.M Walters
Del Monte Foods, the nearly 140-year-old company whose canned fruits and vegetables have long been grocery store staples, has filed for bankruptcy as it grapples with mounting debt, post-pandemic headwinds and shifts in consumer spending.
Del Monte Foods, maker of popular canned goods, files for bankruptcy
The company, founded in 1886, said it was voluntarily initiating Chapter 11 proceedings, citing mounting debt, economic headwinds and consumer spending shifts.
wapo.st
July 3, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Del Monte Foods, the nearly 140-year-old company whose canned fruits and vegetables have long been grocery store staples, has filed for bankruptcy as it grapples with mounting debt, post-pandemic headwinds and shifts in consumer spending.
Reposted by L.M Walters
It's another glaring example of agricultural exceptionalism that the 2,013 dairy operations which manage almost 65% of the US dairy herd rely on undocumented workers, amongst the most exploited in the United States: underpaid, working in unsafe conditions and subject to multiple environmental risks.
The U.S. dairy industry is grappling with a severe and persistent labor shortage. Historically reliant on skilled immigrant workers, the sector faces heightened anxiety amidst renewed national attention on border security and immigration enforcement. en.edairynews.com/us-dairys-wo...
US Dairy's Workforce Crisis: Farmers Demand Urgent Immigration Reform! - EDairy News English
US dairy farmer Jim Boyle urges immigration reform, stating the industry's reliance on skilled immigrant labor for year-round operations.
en.edairynews.com
June 20, 2025 at 2:08 AM
It's another glaring example of agricultural exceptionalism that the 2,013 dairy operations which manage almost 65% of the US dairy herd rely on undocumented workers, amongst the most exploited in the United States: underpaid, working in unsafe conditions and subject to multiple environmental risks.
Reposted by L.M Walters
One of the things I most resent about AI is the way it has inserted itself, unwelcomed, between me and my students, especially the ones I don't know all that well yet. I hate that every time I read a piece of student writing a small piece of me is thinking "is this a robot or a person?"
Numerous teachers told me that they are wasting many hours of their lives giving thoughtful feedback to robots
June 2, 2025 at 4:07 PM
One of the things I most resent about AI is the way it has inserted itself, unwelcomed, between me and my students, especially the ones I don't know all that well yet. I hate that every time I read a piece of student writing a small piece of me is thinking "is this a robot or a person?"
Reposted by L.M Walters
"Europe Freezes US Travel as Lufthansa, British , Air France, KLM and More Slash Routes to Major Cities Including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago to Tap Soaring Demand Across Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Caribbean" www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article...
Europe Freezes US Travel as Lufthansa, British , Air France, KLM and More Slash Routes to Major Cities Including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago to Tap Soaring Demand Across Canada, Mexico, ...
European airlines are freezing their transatlantic growth and pulling back from major U.S. cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago as they redirect flights to Canada, Mexico, Brazil and ...
www.travelandtourworld.com
May 27, 2025 at 1:16 AM
"Europe Freezes US Travel as Lufthansa, British , Air France, KLM and More Slash Routes to Major Cities Including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago to Tap Soaring Demand Across Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Caribbean" www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article...
Reposted by L.M Walters
"How Tinted Are Your Glasses? Gender Views, Beliefs and Recommendations in Hiring"
www.iza.org/publications...
www.iza.org/publications...
How Tinted Are Your Glasses? Gender Views, Beliefs and Recommendations in Hiring
We study the gendered impact of recommendations at different stages of the hiring process. First, using a large sample of reference letters from the a...
www.iza.org
May 22, 2025 at 1:07 AM
"How Tinted Are Your Glasses? Gender Views, Beliefs and Recommendations in Hiring"
www.iza.org/publications...
www.iza.org/publications...
Reposted by L.M Walters
GOLDMAN: “.. tariffs are unlikely to result in much reshoring because production costs for alternative suppliers of US imports are well below the US’s for most products.
“.. higher tariffs will likely raise equipment costs and discourage investment,” and “weigh on US real income by 1½-2% ..”
“.. higher tariffs will likely raise equipment costs and discourage investment,” and “weigh on US real income by 1½-2% ..”
May 14, 2025 at 5:38 PM
GOLDMAN: “.. tariffs are unlikely to result in much reshoring because production costs for alternative suppliers of US imports are well below the US’s for most products.
“.. higher tariffs will likely raise equipment costs and discourage investment,” and “weigh on US real income by 1½-2% ..”
“.. higher tariffs will likely raise equipment costs and discourage investment,” and “weigh on US real income by 1½-2% ..”
Reposted by L.M Walters
A comprehensive and data-based update on recent, large shifts in US immigration policy
New from @taraelizwatson.bsky.social and Zars at @brookings.edu —>
New from @taraelizwatson.bsky.social and Zars at @brookings.edu —>
100 Days of immigration under the second Trump administration
In a short time, the administration has shifted nearly every aspect of immigration policy in the anti-immigrant direction.
www.brookings.edu
April 30, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A comprehensive and data-based update on recent, large shifts in US immigration policy
New from @taraelizwatson.bsky.social and Zars at @brookings.edu —>
New from @taraelizwatson.bsky.social and Zars at @brookings.edu —>
Reposted by L.M Walters
Reflecting on how economists are bad at recognizing our humanity as scientists and the humanity of those we study
Went to a talk by non economists last week that put this in stark relief
Will make a point to ask people how it makes them feel to do the research they do, especially on hard subjects
Went to a talk by non economists last week that put this in stark relief
Will make a point to ask people how it makes them feel to do the research they do, especially on hard subjects
April 27, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reflecting on how economists are bad at recognizing our humanity as scientists and the humanity of those we study
Went to a talk by non economists last week that put this in stark relief
Will make a point to ask people how it makes them feel to do the research they do, especially on hard subjects
Went to a talk by non economists last week that put this in stark relief
Will make a point to ask people how it makes them feel to do the research they do, especially on hard subjects
Reposted by L.M Walters
New: The FDA is suspending a quality control program for testing of fluid milk and other dairy products due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division, according to an internal email seen by @reuters.com.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
US FDA suspends milk quality tests amid workforce cuts
The Food and Drug Administration is suspending a quality control program for testing of fluid milk and other dairy products due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division, according to an internal email seen by Reuters.
www.reuters.com
April 21, 2025 at 10:21 PM
New: The FDA is suspending a quality control program for testing of fluid milk and other dairy products due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division, according to an internal email seen by @reuters.com.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Reposted by L.M Walters
The proposal by Bhattacharya to use data from Indian Health Services to study autism is outrageous and should be fought tooth and nail.
I have had the honor of working with Tribes on research projects. The steps for approval are many and lengthy, as they should be for this vulnerable population.
I have had the honor of working with Tribes on research projects. The steps for approval are many and lengthy, as they should be for this vulnerable population.
April 21, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The proposal by Bhattacharya to use data from Indian Health Services to study autism is outrageous and should be fought tooth and nail.
I have had the honor of working with Tribes on research projects. The steps for approval are many and lengthy, as they should be for this vulnerable population.
I have had the honor of working with Tribes on research projects. The steps for approval are many and lengthy, as they should be for this vulnerable population.
Reposted by L.M Walters
NIH halts more collaborations with South Africa on HIV/AIDS trials | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
NIH halts more collaborations with South Africa on HIV/AIDS trials
International networks told not to start new studies or enroll new trial participants in the country
www.science.org
April 21, 2025 at 3:56 PM
NIH halts more collaborations with South Africa on HIV/AIDS trials | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by L.M Walters
When a severe rice shortage sent prices skyrocketing in Japan last year, Tokyo restaurant owner Arata Hirano did what had once seemed unthinkable: he switched to an American variety reut.rs/4cDPgRN
More Japanese embracing foreign rice, even before it became a tariff topic
A seismic change in mindset for Japanese businesses and consumers could allow Tokyo leeway to relax some restrictions if rice becomes a thorny topic in tariff talks with President Trump, who has called out Japan's high levies on its staple grain.
reut.rs
April 17, 2025 at 3:27 AM
When a severe rice shortage sent prices skyrocketing in Japan last year, Tokyo restaurant owner Arata Hirano did what had once seemed unthinkable: he switched to an American variety reut.rs/4cDPgRN
Reposted by L.M Walters
A dispute between a British-owned tea plantation and a local community in western Kenya has come to the boil in what could be a sign of turbulent times ahead for tea producers facing a growing backlash over colonial-era injustices reut.rs/3RQSlEq
Kenya land standoff sends warning to foreign-owned tea estates
A dispute between a British-owned tea plantation and a local community in western Kenya has come to the boil in what could be a sign of turbulent times ahead for tea producers facing a growing backlash over colonial-era injustices.
reut.rs
April 17, 2025 at 9:01 AM
A dispute between a British-owned tea plantation and a local community in western Kenya has come to the boil in what could be a sign of turbulent times ahead for tea producers facing a growing backlash over colonial-era injustices reut.rs/3RQSlEq
Reposted by L.M Walters
(Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday said most tomatoes imported from Mexico to the United States will face duties of 20.91% from July 14 as it withdraws from an agreement it said had failed to protect domestic tomato growers.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
US says most tomatoes imported from Mexico to face 21% duty from July 14
The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday said most tomatoes imported from Mexico to the United States will face duties of 20.91% from July 14 as it withdraws from an agreement it said had failed to protect domestic tomato growers.
www.reuters.com
April 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM
(Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday said most tomatoes imported from Mexico to the United States will face duties of 20.91% from July 14 as it withdraws from an agreement it said had failed to protect domestic tomato growers.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
Reposted by L.M Walters
Britain will not relax its food-safety standards as part of any deal to secure lower tariffs on its exports to the United States, business minister Jonathan Reynolds said reut.rs/4jggC3a
Looser food standards off the menu in any US-UK trade deal, UK says
Britain will not relax its food safety standards as part of any deal to secure lower tariffs on its exports to the United States, business minister Jonathan Reynolds said on Sunday.
reut.rs
April 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Britain will not relax its food-safety standards as part of any deal to secure lower tariffs on its exports to the United States, business minister Jonathan Reynolds said reut.rs/4jggC3a
Reposted by L.M Walters
The price of coffee is at its highest in decades — bad news for caffeine-lovers, but good for bean farmers in Vietnam profiting from global demand
The Instant Coffee Boom Is Changing Farmers’ Fortunes
The price of coffee is at its highest in decades — bad news for caffeine-lovers, but good for bean farmers in Vietnam profiting from global demand.
www.bloomberg.com
April 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The price of coffee is at its highest in decades — bad news for caffeine-lovers, but good for bean farmers in Vietnam profiting from global demand