Compiled by ABC News Digital News Associates Jacqueline Fernandez, Jayce Henderson and Desk Assistant Amanda VanAllen

2012 ELECTIONS: ABC News’ Shushannah Walshe: “ Sarah Palin: Inside Her Decision Not To Run” Sarah Palin kept her decision not to enter the 2012 presidential race shrouded in secrecy until the last minute — even to her closest confidantes. ABC News has learned that members of Palin’s staff were only very recently informed that she wouldn’t be running and that an announcement would likely come on Wednesday, but they were not informed of the exact details of how the information would be released. LINK

The Hills’ Josh Lederman and Cameron Joseph: “ Palin not running for president in 2012, will support conservatives” Sarah Palin ended months of speculation Wednesday when she announced she will not run for president. Her decision locks the GOP presidential field into place, but has disappointed some conservatives who had expressed unhappiness with their 2012 choices. LINK

USA Today’s Richard Wolf and Jackie Kucinich: “ Sarah Palin won’t run for president in 2012” Sarah Palin made it official Wednesday evening: She won’t run for president. In a statement to supporters, the 2008 vice presidential nominee said she would not seek the Republican nomination for the White House by entering what is already a crowded field. LINK 

The Los Angeles Times’ James Oliphant: “ Conservative group seeks to derail Mitt Romney’s run” Mitt Romney may be closer than ever to the Republican nomination—and that has one independent conservative group determined to slow him down. Its mission, as plain as it can put it, is to “stop Mitt Romney.” LINK

The New York Daily News’ Thomas M. Defrank and Alison Gendar: “ Sarah Palin on 2012 run: I won’t be running for president, but will be helping candidates this cycle” Tea Party darling Sarah Palin finally got off the fence Wednesday and said she is not running for the White House. “After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP nomination for President of the United States,” Palin said in a letter to supporters obtained by ABC News. LINK

The New York Times’ Susan Saulny: “ A Candidate Writing His Own Campaign Rules” On a whirlwind trip through New York City this week that marked the beginning of a nearly monthlong book tour, Herman Cain chatted with the hosts of ABC’s “The View,” promoted his new memoir on Fox News, met local titans like Donald Trump, shared ideas with former Mayor Edward I. Koch and enjoyed power lunching in Midtown. LINK

The Washington Post’s Amy Gardner and Rachel Weiner: “ Sarah Palin says she won’t run for president, ending months of speculation” Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin ended her months-long flirtation with a presidential bid Wednesday, announcing in a letter to supporters that she will use her influence next year to help elect Republicans from statehouses to the White House. LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Jonathan Weisman: “ Romney Environment Push Is Fresh Target for His Rivals” Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, whose health-care record as governor of Massachusetts has left him struggling to win the support of conservative voters, now faces another point of vulnerability: his environmental record. Just days after his 2002 election, Mr. Romney hired Douglas Foy, one of the state’s most prominent environmental activists, and put him in charge of supervising four state agencies LINK

Politico’s Maggie Haberman: “ Palin: GOP hopefuls calling already” Sarah Palin made her not-running appearance on Greta Van Susteren’s Fox News show tonight after breaking the news earlier via conservative talker Mark Levin.At the outset, Van Susteren’s first question to Palin wasn’t about her decision, but about the death of Steve Jobs. LINK

SUPREME COURT: The Washington Times’ Stephen Dinan: “ In Hill testimony, justices lift high court’s veil” Partially lifting the veil that usually guards their actions, two Supreme Court justices on Wednesday painted the court as a bulwark for the Constitution and said some of today’s cynicism about government stems from the public’s scanty understanding of the founding document. LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS: “ Sen. Rubio: ‘I Am Not Going to be the VP Nominee’” LINK “ Mitt Romney’s Take on ‘Occupy Wall Street’” LINK

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