Farmland is now the hot real estate deal Farmland prices are rising rapidly. The trend reminds some of the bubble that burst back in the 1980s, setting up many farm foreclosures.
Others see nothing but dollar signs on the horizon.7:20 a.m.
Gift Brings Van Gogh's 'Ox-Cart' to Oregon Museum
A dark, early painting by Vincent Van Gogh is coming into public view for the first time in more than 50 years. An Oregon family donated the work, described as priceless, to the Portland Art Museum.
Businesses See Green in Iceland's Volcano Power
Iceland's winters are long, dark and cold. But one of the country's favorite winter hobbies is to take a swim in outdoor heated pools or lounge in backyard hot tubs. Heat and electricity are cheap, clean and plentiful here — and Iceland wants other countries to take notice.
Harnessing the Power of the Gulf Stream
Florida researchers will soon test a concept that has long been dreamed of: harnessing the ocean's seemingly limitless power as a source of electricity. They are developing underwater turbines to tap the energy of the Gulf Stream.
Iowa Town Feels Impact of Immigration Debate
Iowa voters hold the nation's first presidential caucuses one month from now. A visit to Marshalltown, Iowa, shows the deep impact that immigration — one of the key issues in the presidential campaign — has on everyday lives.
Germany Funds Child Care
Germany has one of the lowest birthrates in Europe. But the government is hoping to increase the number of births by spending billions of dollars on a plan to triple by 2013 the number of child care spaces available for kids under age 3.
New England's Famed Stone Walls in Demand
The weathered stone walls crisscrossing New England's landscape are disappearing. Not only are thieves taking some stones, but homeowners are also selling some. Demand is so high that ads are often in newspapers. The walls are remnants of an agricultural past.
Iris Scanning Tracks Sex Offenders
Law enforcement officials are tracking sex offenders with a futuristic biometric tool: iris scanning. Jurisdictions in seven states are experimenting with technology that takes a picture of an offender's iris and stores it in a national database where it can be used to identify them.
Climate Experts Mull Payment to Stop Deforestation
Climate experts are trying to come up with new ways to cut emissions of greenhouse gases after the current international climate treaty expires in 2012. One proposal is to pay developing countries to stop cutting down trees. The experts are gathering in Bali, Indonesia.
Vivendi to Buy Activision
French media conglomerate Vivendi says it plans to buy a controlling stake in U.S. video game maker Activision. The deal is worth nearly $10 billion. If regulators approve it, Vivendi would go from being a minor player, to the giant in the $40 billion international game industry.
Big Flat-Panel TV Sets in Big Demand
Flat-panel television sets are due to outsell models with picture tubes by more than seven to one this year. Inch for inch, the price of flat screens is coming down. But instead of pocketing the savings, many consumers are upgrading to ever-larger sets.