Investigations: Organic Farming Tops Conventional, GM for Yield, Return and Energy Efficiency

Conventional wisdom about agriculture is turned on its head in a new study by the Rodale Institute, a Pennsylviania-based nonprofit that promotes organic farming. Organic yields are 31 percent higher than conventional yields in times of drought, the institute's study has found.

Organic yields are also higher than those of genetically modified "drought tolerant" crops. Also interesting: organic farms produce three times higher net return than conventional ones on average, with one organic crop yielding 30 times higher net return. Organic systems also use 45 percent less energy, the study said.

The institute says its study is the longest in duration comparing organic and conventional farming methods.

Da Biz: YouTube In Talks to Launch Investigative Programming

YouTube is getting into investigative journalism? Yes, you heard right. The world's third most popular website - and second most used search engine - is in discussions with the Berkeley, Calif.-based Center for Investigative Reporting to launch YouTube Investigative, this report says. With 800 million monthly visitors - each spending half an hour on the site on average - that's a pretty nice audience.

YouTube is following the path of a growing number of newsrooms, which are reportedly contracting out their investigative stories to outfits like the CIR.

Investigations: Inside Quebec Construction's Organized Crime and Political Ties

Here's a fascinating look inside Quebec's notoriously corrupt construction industry, including its links with organized crime and political fundraisers. Radio-Canada has made public this 72-page report from Quebec's anti-corruption investigative squad, based on a year-and-a-half-long inquiry.

The report speaks of a "deeply rooted and clandestine universe of an unsuspected scope that is harmful to our society - in terms of security, the economy, justice and democracy."