Gas Below $3 A Gallon, Getting Low-Income Kids Into College, Food Friday: Pretzels And Bread

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A good education can be key to moving up the socio-economic ladder, but getting low-income students into college can be a challenge in the first place. We speak with a guest who is trying to bridge that gap. Then we look at the economics behind the dramatic drop in gas prices around the country and explore the world of pretzel making for Food Friday.

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  • As Gas Prices Drop, Some See Risk Of Economic Slowdown Rising

    Gas prices dropped below $3 a gallon in much of U.S. for first time in years. While consumers might be finding some financial relief at the pumps, economists monitoring the dip speculate it could be an indication of a global economy running on fumes.

    According to the most recent data from the automotive group AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.07, which is about 25 cents cheaper than the price a year ago. In Wisconsin, the average price per gallon is $3.11, with Milwaukee showing the cheapest rate among the state’s metro areas at $3.06.

    Abdur Chowdhury, chair of the Department of Economics at Marquette University, has some good news for the public — but with a side of caution. He said he is expecting average gas prices to dip down to as low as $2.75, even $2.70 per gallon over the next couple of weeks, or at least until the end of November.

    That was the good news. But, for the caution?

    “In the short term for the U.S., it is good news. With consumers paying less for gas, they will now have extra money that they can spend on other products,” said Chowdhury. “But, if the slowdown in the global economy continues for a long time, this may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy.”

    Chowdhury said prices typically dip this time of year as oil refineries switch from their summer blends to their winter blends. Winter blend gas costs cheaper because the environmental restrictions are less stringent, he said.

    He said there are other factors keeping prices temporarily low. For one, people typically drive less after Labor Day, which means there’s just less demand for gas. The biggest factor for low prices at home is the low price abroad. Crude oil prices have fallen from $150 a barrel in mid-June to under $85 by mid-October.

    Unlike when gas prices rise, Chowdhury said international events probably aren’t impacting prices. A meeting of the oil-rich OPEC countries in late November, however, will determine the trajectory of gas prices. Leaders will decide whether to cut oil production to scale the current glut of gas.

  • PBS Host Shares Tips For Homemade Snack Combo

    Pretzels are a popular snack, especially as fans gather in living rooms across the country during football season. Although pretzels can be found penny on the pound in the local supermarket, a popular cooking instructor and PBS show host has encouraged ambitious bakers to make their own at home.

    “Pretzels are similar to bagels insomuch as they’re poached first and then they’re baked,” said Ian Knauer, who is the host of PBS’s “The Farm.”

    He added that pretzels are poached in water with lye in it — not salt, as some might assume.

    After making homemade pretzel rods, Knauer said adding homemade mustard is a quick and easy way to create the perfect combination.

    Here’s how to do it:

    • Soak mustard seed or mustard powder in water to bring out the mustard enzymes.
    • Blend the mustard-water mixture with a vinegar-salt mixture. Or, use honey, maple syrup or brown sugar for a sweeter mustard.
    • Blend the combined mixture to create a smooth mustard. If a whole grain mustard is desired, don’t blend the mustard at all.
  • Gas Falls Below $3 A Gallon Around The Country

    Prices for regular gas fell below $3 a gallon at nearly half of the gas station in the United States according to automotive group AAA. The dip follows a global trend seeing oil prices fall from $150 a barrel in mid-June to under $85 by mid-October. While this sounds like good news for consumers who are paying less at the pump, in the long-term it may point to a slowdown in the global economy.

  • A Bridge From Low-Income Neighborhoods To College

    A nationwide aims to bridge the gap between low-income, highly motivated students and the nation’s most prestigious college. A spokesperson for Questbridge explains the group’s mission, and how it works.

  • Homemade Pretzels And Bread

    Fall baking season is here, and in today’s edition of Food Friday, we get practical advice for how to make homemade pretzels and bread.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Galen Druke Producer
  • Abdur Chowdhury Guest
  • Leslie Sullivan Guest
  • Ian Knauer Guest

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