Plan your 4th of July

Seattle's NW Flower & Garden Show has new owner

The Northwest Flower & Garden Show, a late-winter tradition in Seattle for 21 years, has a new owner, ending months of uncertainty for area gardeners.

SC gov's wife says husband must earn back trust

South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford says her husband's affair with an Argentine woman broke a trust that he must earn back _ first from his family, then his constituents.

Palin resigning as Alaska governor on July 26

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made a surprise announcement Friday that she is resigning from office at the end of the month without explaining why she plans to step down, raising speculation that she would focus on a run for the White House in the 2012 race.

Feds seize Madoff penthouse, wife leaves

Federal marshals seized disgraced financier Bernard Madoff's $7 million Manhattan penthouse on Thursday and forced his wife to move out and leave her possessions behind, including a fur coat she had asked to take with her, an official told The Associated Press.

Mariners activate RHP Shawn Kelley

The Seattle Mariners have activated right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Mike Carp to Triple-A Tacoma.

Former Nirvana bassist is small-town politico

It's been a busy year for former Nirvana bassist turned politico Krist Novoselic (noh-voh-SEL'-ich).

New Zealand airline issues nude safety video

New Zealand's national airline has adopted a cheeky way to encourage passengers to watch its in-flight safety video: The cabin crew's uniforms are nothing but body paint.

Calif. bullet trains hit criticism on SF peninsula

Last November, more than 60 percent of voters on the San Francisco Peninsula supported a $9.9 billion bond measure to help pay for a high-speed rail line between San Francisco and the Los Angeles area.

Palin resigns as governor, leaves plans secret

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin surprised supporters Friday and announced she is resigning from office at the end of the month, leaving open the possibility she would seek a run for the White House in 2012.

Guests for the Sunday TV news shows

Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:

Powerful sedative found in Michael Jackson's home

The powerful sedative Diprivan was found in Michael Jackson's home, a law enforcement official said Friday as the city planned for a massive crowd at the singer's memorial service.

Events in Palin's political career

_ December 2006 _ Gov. Sarah Palin, a former mayor of Wasilla City, Alaska, becomes governor of her state after defeating an incumbent governor of her own party in the primary and then beating a former governor in the general election.

AP News in Brief

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she will resign from office July 26; doesn't announce plans

Communities bug out over cuts to mosquito control

Millions of mosquito eggs laid across southern Texas after Hurricane Ike hit the coast last summer are waiting for the little bit of rain and hot summer days they need to hatch. That's got the man whose job it is to fight the bugs worried _ he's already running out of money.

4 Mich. fishermen missing on Lake Erie

The U.S. Coast Guard and others are searching Lake Erie for four Michigan fishermen whose 19-foot boat set sail a day earlier.

Seattle's NW Flower & Garden Show has new owner

The Northwest Flower & Garden Show, a late-winter tradition in Seattle for 21 years, has a new owner, ending months of uncertainty for area gardeners.

Immigration initiative will not make Nov. ballot

Proponents of a state initiative that called for stricter immigration rules failed again to collect enough signatures to make the November ballot.