Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be in Pittsburgh this evening for a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, before heading on to a rally in Johnstown in the morning and back to Philadelphia tomorrow night.

But first, the Alaska governor -- a self-described hockey mom -- will drop the ceremonial puck at the Philadelphia Flyers' home opener with the New York Rangers, joining the winner of the Flyers' "Ultimate Hockey Mom" contest on center ice (She is, officially, at least, remaining neutral).

Ms. Palin is expected to arrive at Pittsburgh International Airport at 3:30 p.m., heading into town for the private fundraiser, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Former Allegheny County Executive Jim Roddey, serving as master of ceremonies, says the Downtown event will raise more than $500,000 for the McCain-Palin ticket.

She is expected to appear at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Johnstown's Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

WASHINGTON -- The National Rifle Association is endorsing Republican presidential nominee John McCain despite differences with the Arizona senator on gun-show rules and campaign finance restrictions.

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and the chairman of the NRA's political action committee planned stops yesterday in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Colorado and Nevada to talk about the move.

Mr. LaPierre said the two agree on many issues important to the group.

"He's cast more than 60 votes in the Senate in support of the Second Amendment," Mr. LaPierre said.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The state Supreme Court refused yesterday to halt an ethics investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin.

The ruling clears the way for lawmakers today to release a report on their investigation into whether Ms. Palin abused her power by firing her public safety commissioner. The report could prove to be an embarrassment for Ms. Palin and a distraction for John McCain's presidential campaign.

Lawmakers are investigating whether Ms. Palin abused her power to settle a family dispute.

NEW YORK -- A newspaper report yesterday said tens of thousands of eligible voters have been removed from rolls or blocked from registering in at least six swing states, but election officials quickly lined up to defend their registration procedures and said they had done nothing wrong.

The New York Times based its findings on reviews of state records and Social Security data, and said it had identified apparent problems in Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina.

The Times said voters appear to have been purged by mistake and not because of any intentional violations by election officials or coordinated efforts by any party.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush signed an order yesterday creating a special council to govern the transition to a new administration in January, marking another major step toward the end of Mr. Bush's eight tumultuous years in office.