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MOSCOW, Idaho - The giant Palouse earthworm has taken on mythic qualities in this vast agricultural region that stretches from eastern Washington into the Idaho panhandle — its very name evoking the fictional sandworms from "Dune" or those vicious creatures from the movie "Tremors."

The pop star's will designated his mother, Katherine, as guardian of his three children. But in an ABC interview, his father expresses a wish to join in

NEW YORK - When it comes to dealing with gay personnel in the ranks, the contrasts are stark among some of the world's proudest, toughest militaries — and these differing approaches are invoked by both sides as Americans renew debate over the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

WASHINGTON - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said she's not only staying involved in national politics, but she plans to jump back into the national scrum when she leaves office at the end of the month.

SAN FRANCISCO - A fast-growing kelp from the Far East has spread along the California coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco Bay, worrying marine scientists and outpacing eradication efforts.

Floridians are generally not flummoxed by the variety of reptile species that invade their state. But that nonchalance vanished last week when a 2-year-old was strangled to death in her crib by a 9-ft. Burmese python

PENSACOLA, Fla. - A Florida couple killed in their home had an extensive surveillance system in the house that recorded three apparently experienced criminals swiftly slip into the house before driving off in a red van, police said.

NEW YORK - For weeks, Sonia Sotomayor has put on her best face, displaying a pleasant disposition that has somewhat fended off critics of her nomination to become the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.

SALT LAKE CITY - A gay couple say they were detained by security guards on a plaza owned by the Mormon church and later cited by police, claiming it stemmed from a kiss on the cheek.

GARY, Ind. - This gritty steel-making city where Michael Jackson got his start playing on street corners with his brothers and competing in talent shows said goodbye to the King of Pop with a show that featured experienced homegrown talent, as well as youngsters who hope to follow in his footsteps.

To protect against skimming and eavesdropping attacks, federal and state officials recommend that Americans keep their e-passports tightly shut and store their RFID-tagged passport cards and enhanced driver's licenses in "radio-opaque" sleeves.

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Disgruntled Californians, their state broke and in budget meltdown, are asking why taxpayers should foot the bill for Michael Jackson's million-dollar memorial last week.

SAGINAW, Mich. - Authorities say a parolee who robbed a Michigan bank was caught when he tried to hitch a ride from an undercover police detective.

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson's mother and ex-wife will have time to reach an agreement over who will take care of the singer's three children.

WAUSAU, Wis. - An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it — an Iraq war veteran — claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders reported steady progress on California's $26.3 billion budget mess and raised the prospect of a resolution in the coming week.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Late blight, which caused the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s and 1850s, is killing potato and tomato plants in home gardens from Maine to Ohio and threatening commercial and organic farms, U.S. plant scientists said on Friday.

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Former Vancouver police officer Clyde Ray Spencer spent nearly 20 years in prison after he was convicted of sexually molesting his son and daughter. Now, the children say it never happened.

PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania attorney who was released from prison Friday after serving the longest imprisonment on a civil contempt charge in U.S. history said judges have too much discretion in cases like his.