We’re not much for gift giving in the midst of an economic downturn, but PaperTrail couldn’t let 2008 end without offering our readers a homemade run-down of some of our favorite investigative journalism. And instead of some standard, pro forma list, we’re throwing a grab bag of all of our favorites at you, from projects to blogs to websites that help keep our country transparent:

• Talking Points Memo — A consistent favorite, specifically the “Daily Muck,” which gives a round-up of the day’s investigative stories to the busy PaperTrailer.

• “Katrina’s Hidden Race War” — The Nation — Reporter A.C. Thompson uses old-fashioned shoe-leather reporting and narrative writing techniques in this 18-month investigation into the racial vigilante violence that took place during Hurricane Katrina.

• Docuticker — An invaluable daily update summarizing new reports from government agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, and more. Founded by librarian Gary Price, director of online info at Ask.com.

• High Country News and the New West Network — President-Elect Obama has been accused of having something of a western bias in his cabinet choices. Well, here at PaperTrail, we’ve got something of a western bias in our bookmarks. Both of these sites offer excellent, award-winning coverage of the western states. It’s almost not fair to the other regions of the country.

• “Mexico Under Siege” — Los Angeles Times offers in-depth coverage of Mexico’s drug war and how the United States is indirectly involved. Interactive map and tons of stories you can sort by location and subject.

• The Uptake — A nonprofit journalism site that has kept political junkies across the world abreast of every minute of the five-person Minnesota recount committee’s deliberations about Franken, Coleman, and Lizard People.

• “A Disability Epidemic among a Railroad’s Retirees” — The New York Times looked at how workers and retirees abuse the disability system at the Long Island Rail Road. It’s classic investigative work, diving into the records and finding abuse that fleeces the public coffers.

• Investigative Reporters and Editors — A favorite for keeping up with the latest muckraking. You’ll find a feature called “Extra! Extra!” on the right rail of the home page. It includes a brief synopsis of the stories with links to the original work. It’s how PaperTrail starts its morning.

• News Gems — Another essential stop for the best in journalism. At a time when quality reporting is under threat, News Gems showcases how to do it right. (Help out its blogger-in-chief Jon Marshall if you can – he needs funding to keep it going.)

• Center for Independent Media — Their reporting on plans for vote suppression in Michigan (via the Michigan Messenger) kicked up controversy, but they’re doing a good job of sticking on stories that other outlets might ignore.

Enjoy, and count on PaperTrail for even more muck in 2009.

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