Palin’s choice of next Lt. Gov. raises succession questions in Alaska

West Desk editing plan for Tuesday, July 7. The desk files for New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California and Hawaii 24/7. Anna Jo Bratton is the supervisor, followed by Katie Oyan at 4 p.m. The desk can be reached at 1-602-417-2400. Note this planner will be updated periodically throughout the day and saved in workbench under WERday. These lines are not for publication.

Japan approves new inspection rules for Western US cherries, speeding exports

YAKIMA, Wash. — Cherry growers in three West Coast states will be able to ship sweet cherries to Japan more cheaply because of a change in the country’s pest control requirements for imports of the fruit.

Study finds Bush owl plan based on false conclusion that fire increasing threat to habitat

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A new study challenges a basic justification about the threat of wildfires that the Bush administration used to make room for more logging in old growth forests that are home to the northern spotted owl.

Free hotel stays for community service

NEW YORK — Some 50 hotels across the country are giving away a free night to guests who can prove that they completed at least eight hours of community service between July 1 and Dec. 20.

Cycle of rising unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcies raising economic stress

California, Michigan and South Carolina suffered the most financial pain in May as unemployment, home foreclosures and bankruptcies rose, according to The Associated Press’ monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties.

Oregon woman obsessed with rabbits sent back to jail after she’s found in hotel with bunnies

PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon woman obsessed with bunnies has been ordered back behind bars after police found her in a hotel room with more than a dozen rabbits.

Matt Kenseth finishes second, Tony Stewart fifth in All-Star Challenge

OREGON, Wis. — Matt Kenseth finished second at his hometown track and Tony Stewart was fifth in a short-track All-Star Challenge at Madison International Speedway on Tuesday night.

Judge overturns Bush administration change to rule protecting spotted owl habitat

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A federal judge has struck down the Bush administration’s change to a rule designed to protect the northern spotted owl from logging in national forests.

Highlights of Supreme Court decisions made during the 2008-09 term

Some of the significant cases the Supreme Court decided in its 2008-09 term:

Conservation groups again seek endangered species protection for giant, spitting worm in Wash.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Fans of the giant Palouse earthworm are once again seeking federal protection for the rare, sweet-smelling species that spits at predators.

Lost wallet returns after 63 years behind school bleachers, rekindling memories for Oregon man

BAKER CITY, Ore. — Bill Fulton doesn’t remember losing his wallet, but getting it back more than 60 years later helped him remember the past.

Did a dangerous chemical at Iraqi plant cause death and illness of soldiers?

Larry Roberta’s every breath is a painful reminder of his time in Iraq. He can’t walk a block without gasping for air. His chest hurts, his migraines sometimes persist for days and he needs pills to help him sleep.

Forest Service claims it’s done better job thinning forests to protect homes than study said

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — The U.S. Forest Service says it has done a lot more forest thinning to protect rural homes from wildfire than a study by outside scientists indicates — though it still falls short of the goal set by Congress.

Judge tells Ore. woman who fed bears she has to stay away from her home for 3 years

NEWPORT, Ore. — Karen Noyes often fed the black bears that came to her home near the Oregon coast. Then things got out of hand. One hungry bear stormed a neighbor’s barn and killed 60 turkeys. Another got stuck in a doggie door. Noyes asked wildlife officers to help remove the bears, but it was too late.

Oregon Congressional GOP candidate says his mother is the pollster

SALEM, Ore. — After the state Democratic party filed a complaint, the Oregon secretary of state’s office has asked Republican Mayor Sid Leiken of Springfield for records of campaign filings. Leiken plans to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio next year for Oregon’s 4th Congressional District seat.

Nike’s profit drops in 4th quarter on costs to cut jobs; sees ’swoosh-shaped’ global rebound

PORTLAND, Ore. — Nike Inc. said Wednesday it is betting on a “swoosh-shaped” global economic recovery and that the athletic shoe and clothing maker is poised to benefit as the gradual rebound begins.

Political turmoil fuels ‘hacktivist’ attacks on Web sites

SAN FRANCISCO — For about 90 minutes Wednesday, visitors to the Oregon University System’s Web site found themselves taken for a ride they didn’t ask for. They were redirected to another site under the control of a hacker, who posted an 89-word screed criticizing the protests in Iran.

Nike’s profit drops in 4th quarter on costs to cut jobs; adjusted earnings top expectations

PORTLAND, Ore. — Athletic footwear and apparel company Nike Inc. reported Wednesday that its profit dropped in its fiscal fourth quarter on costs to cut jobs, but adjusted results beat Wall Street expectations.

Hackers post message supporting Iranian regime on Oregon University System home page

PORTLAND, Ore. — Hackers defaced the home page of the Oregon University System, posting a caustic message telling President Barack Obama to mind his own business and stop talking about the disputed Iranian election.

Hackers post pro-Iranian message on Oregon University System home page

PORTLAND, Ore. — Hackers got into the computers of the Oregon University System and posted a message telling President Barack Obama to mind his own business and not to comment on the disputed Iranian election.

One cell leads to another: Ring tone leads Salem, Ore., police to hiding suspect

SALEM, Ore. — When a suspect being chased by police rolled his car over police spike strips and his tires went flat, he dashed into a field of grass where he thought he could hide. The police called out a dog and handler to find the driver. And then they heard a cell phone ring.

Meltdown 101: With renewable energy push and promised federal funding, where are the jobs?

Everywhere you turn there is talk of a shift to renewable energy, of building wind farms and solar plants, of making buildings more efficient, of developing biofuels. And of billions in federal funding to help make it all happen.

Court papers: Oregon woman whose fetus was cut out died after violent struggle with attacker

PORTLAND, Ore. — Court documents in Oregon say a woman whose unborn son was cut from her body died following a violent struggle.

Correction: Forest Cease-fire story

TAKILMA, Ore. — In a June 22 story about a federal forest thinning project, The Associated Press erroneously reported its name. It is the Hope Mountain Stewardship Project, not the House Hope Stewardship Project.

Ore. attorney general clears Portland mayor of criminal wrongdoing in affair with teenager

SALEM, Ore. — There’s no credible evidence that Portland Mayor Sam Adams broke the law in his 2005 relationship with a teenager, Oregon’s attorney general said Monday.

Forest restoration project brings together old enemies in logging wars

TAKILMA, Ore. — On a steep slope of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, a crew of young men with chain saws and hardhats worked their way through an old neglected clearcut, cutting brush and young trees and piling the remains to be burned later.

Correction: Pregnant Woman Killed story

HILLSBORO, Ore. — In a June 16 story about an Oregon woman accused of murdering a pregnant woman and cutting her unborn child from her womb, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the suspect — Korena Roberts — had not entered a plea during her indictment hearing. Her attorney entered a plea of not guilty to the aggravated murder charges on her behalf.

Ore. woman obsessed with rabbits arrested again; police say bunnies found in her hotel room

PORTLAND, Ore. — Washington County’s “Bunny Lady” is back in the hutch after violating a court order banning her from owning animals for five years.

Oregon woman obsessed with rabbits arrested again after police find more bunnies in hotel room

PORTLAND, Ore. — Washington County’s “Bunny Lady” is back in the hutch after violating a court order banning her from owning animals for five years. Miriam Sakewitz, 47, was arrested Tuesday at a hotel in the Portland suburb of Tigard after an employee reported finding rabbits hopping around in her room.

Pretrial hearing begins for Ore. couple accused of failing to seeking help for sick daughter

OREGON CITY, Ore. — An Oregon couple accused of praying over their ill 15-month-old daughter rather than seeking medical treatment are in court to present arguments that they shouldn’t face trial on manslaughter charges in her death.