ST. LOUIS — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin testified for two hours yesterday in an abuse-of-power investigation.

The Alaska Personnel Board is investigating whether Palin abused her powers by firing her public safety commissioner, who claims he was dismissed because he refused to fire Palin's former brother-in-law, a state trooper involved in a messy divorce from Palin's sister.

"I am so pleased to finally have gotten the chance to tell what really happened and get the truth out," Palin said in a statement released by her attorney. "It was the right thing to do to bring this before the Personnel Board and have a true arms length unbiased and apolitical investigator look into this."

An Alaska legislative investigation concluded that the firing was lawful but said Palin acted unethically by letting a family dispute influence her decision-making.

BIDEN DISMISSES MCCAIN 'CHANGE'

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said yesterday that Republican John McCain would need a Halloween costume to persuade voters that he would depart from the policies and divisive politics of President Bush.

"I know Halloween is coming, but John McCain as the candidate of change? Whoa, come on," Biden said during an outdoor rally in the capital city's downtown. "John McCain and change? He needs a costume for that. Folks, the American people aren't going to buy this."

STYLIST PAID MORE THAN ADVISER

WASHINGTON — An acclaimed celebrity makeup artist for Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin collected more money from John McCain's campaign than his foreign policy adviser.

Amy Strozzi, who works on the reality show "So You Think You Can Dance" and has been Palin's traveling stylist, was paid $22,800, according to campaign finance reports for the first two weeks in October. In contrast, McCain's foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, was paid $12,500, the report showed.

McCain's campaign said the payment covered a portion of her work in September and a portion of October. An earlier campaign finance report showed Strozzi was paid $13,200 for a portion of September.