Fox News: No change in Palin status

Washington (CNN) – Fox News Channel said Thursday that Sarah Palin will remain on air as a paid contributor, despite renewed speculation over whether she will run for president.

Palin's political action committee announced she was launching a week-long bus tour Memorial Day weekend, beginning in Washington and heading to sites of historical significance on the East Coast.

The return to public appearances comes as she prepares to debut a flattering movie about her career next month in Iowa, and reports said she was buying a house in Arizona.

Asked by CNN if there was any change in Palin's role or if there was discussion of a deadline for a decision by Palin, Fox News Executive Vice President of Programming Bill Shine said in a statement, "We are not changing Sarah Palin's status."

Fox News had forced other contributors to make decisions about their presidential aspirations. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum were suspended and had their contracts terminated in May. And after questions over whether he might make another run, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckaee announced on May 14 he would skip the presidential race and remain host of his Fox show, "Huckabee."

Unlike Gingrich and Santorum, Palin has not set up any kind of potential campaign infrastructure or taken steps towards a potential candidacy in early states at this point.