UP -- City bus riders: Assembly votes down mayor's fare increases. Nice break -- if it survives the budget wrangle.

UP -- Sarah Palin: Belle's book on Kindle. And everywhere else. Book tour looks like a victory lap.

DOWN -- Mark Begich: Senator who was mayor takes a beating over city attorney's report. But what do they care in D.C.?

UP -- Santa Claus: USPS relents, lets North Pole keep correspondence with St. Nick. Yes, Virginia, that postmark is real.

UP -- Lisa Pelfrey: Muzzle-loadin' hunter drops a 69-inch bull moose with a single shot. Old school, fresh round.

EVEN -- Southcentral skaters: All that freezes is not safe. Lace 'em on but beware open water.

EVEN -- Anchorage booksellers: Discounters, digital readers disturb the peace among the shelves. Better be able to turn the page.

DOWN -- Drue Pearce: President asks Alaska federal pipeline coordinator to leave post. Bet she doesn't wanna be Senate president again, either.

UP -- Bradley Amos: Yute Air pilot brings stricken Cessna down so softly the babes aboard stay asleep. Now, that's a tundra landing.