Katie Howard

USPS enters into new agreements with package consolidators

9/16/24 at 1:25 pm | Updated 9/16/24 at 2:45 pm

The Postal Service is implementing a new strategic approach in its contracts with package consolidators — companies that group together large volumes of packages for entry into various points of the USPS network. These contracts no longer reflect operational and financial realities in today’s market, the postal network or the Postal Service’s refreshed product offerings. […]

Two holiday stamp releases arrive

9/13/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 9/16/24 at 10:07 am

The Postal Service will release this year’s first holiday stamps on Saturday, Sept. 14. The first is the Christmas Madonna and Child stamp, which will feature an oil painting from the workshop of the 17th century Italian artist Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as “Sassoferrato” (1609-1685). The extent to which Sassoferrato had a hand in painting […]

Special deliveries

9/13/24 at 5:04 am | Updated 9/12/24 at 1:14 pm

Gaylend “Zee” Zahn, a San Diego letter carrier, has a special assistant: Roman Toriello, a young man with special needs who enjoys helping Zahn on his route. Each day, Roman, 16, accompanies Zahn as he makes deliveries in the neighborhood, including opening gates for the carrier. “Although Roman cannot read a clock, he knows when […]

First things first

9/13/24 at 5:01 am | Updated 9/12/24 at 11:37 am

“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. When did the First Continental Congress, the subject of a new stamp, convene? a) 1774 b) 1775 c) 1776 d) 1777 2. What is the theme of the Combined Federal Campaign […]

Did you know FSAs can help pay for these items?

9/10/24 at 5:04 am | Updated 9/9/24 at 1:06 pm

The Postal Service wants to remind employees that flexible spending account funds can be used to pay for a variety of items. Employees, their spouses and their dependents can use a health care flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for: • Over-the-counter medications; • Physical exams; • Vaccinations; • Dental and vision exams; • Ice […]

Are you impartial?

9/10/24 at 5:02 am | Updated 9/9/24 at 1:32 pm

The Postal Service wants to remind employees to perform their duties with integrity, including following the rules on impartiality. This means employees should avoid working on matters that would be beneficial to their own interests or that of their relatives and friends. For example, employees should not work on contracts, agreements, initiatives or projects that […]

Star ‘Warrior’

9/6/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 9/12/24 at 4:19 pm

Ahmed Amin, a USPS distribution operations supervisor in Orlando, FL, recently competed on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior.” The episode aired in July. Amin appeared on the show after trying for three years to win a spot in the competition, but didn’t advance to the semi-finals. He plans to try again. “Ninjas normally do better the […]

New video celebrates fall’s palette

9/6/24 at 5:05 am | Updated 9/5/24 at 1:28 pm

The Postal Service has released a video about its new Autumn Colors stamps. The Forever stamps capture the drama of trees in a biochemical blaze of glory as they get ready for winter. The stamps use 10 images by the late photographer Allen Rokach, who is known for a technique called the “Rokach effect,” which […]

Who needs to know?

9/6/24 at 5:02 am | Updated 9/5/24 at 11:07 am

“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: In some cases, USPS and other federal agencies are exempt from disclosing information under the Freedom of Information Act. a) True b) False 2. Where did content from […]

USPS proposes temporary rate changes

9/5/24 at 3:20 pm | Updated 9/5/24 at 3:20 pm

The Postal Service has announced a temporary price change for some package services for this year’s peak holiday season. The adjustment is to help cover extra handling costs. The planned pricing, which was approved by the Postal Service governors on Aug. 8, would affect prices on these commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail […]

Postal Bulletin covers Election Mail, Political Mail

9/5/24 at 10:53 am | Updated 9/5/24 at 10:53 am

Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Sept. 5, provides in-depth information about Election Mail and Political Mail. Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included. Employees can go to usps.com to read and download the latest Postal Bulletin, along with past issues. […]

They’re delivering a legacy

8/30/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 8/29/24 at 12:48 pm

David F. Pena began delivering mail to customers in 1987, but over the years, he would deliver even more to the Postal Service: three sons and two grandsons. Seven years later, the now-retired letter carrier’s son, David E., joined his father at the Post Office in Chula Vista, CA, a city near San Diego. Other […]

Where to begin

8/30/24 at 5:04 am | Updated 8/29/24 at 12:53 pm

“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Where did USPS hold the dedication ceremonies for the Pinback Buttons and Autumn Colors stamps? a) Berkeley, CA b) Hartford, CT c) Pittsfield, MA d) St. Joseph, MO 2. Fill in […]

EAP orientation

8/30/24 at 5:01 am | Updated 8/29/24 at 10:24 am

The USPS Employee Assistance Program will hold its next online orientation on Friday, Sept. 6, from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Eastern. The orientations, held on the first Friday of each month, offer information on how Postal Service employees and their families can use the program. Employees must register in advance on the EAP website. […]

PMG board remarks available

8/29/24 at 10:14 am

The Postal Service has released Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s recent remarks to the USPS Board of Governors. The topics include service performance, ongoing improvements in processing and delivery, and preparations for this year’s election cycle and holiday season. The message is available on the USPS Newsroom website. […]

The Postal Service has retired HERO

8/27/24 at 5:10 am | Updated 8/26/24 at 10:56 am

The Postal Service has retired HERO and has made all its content available on MyHR, the new human resources website for USPS employees. With this change, employees can now access learning, career development and performance information and tools on a single site. From links on MyHR, employees can now: • Access a variety of learning […]

When handling Election Mail, the color must be right

8/27/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 8/26/24 at 10:43 am

The Postal Service wants employees to remember the differences between Election Mail, Ballot Mail and Political Mail — and to know the right tags to use. Election Mail is any item mailed to or from authorized election officials that enables citizens to participate in the voting process. This includes ballots, sample ballots, voter registration cards, […]

Some things shouldn’t be disclosed under FOIA

8/27/24 at 5:02 am | Updated 8/26/24 at 10:36 am

The Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to access records from the Postal Service and other federal agencies. Except when it doesn’t. In some cases, USPS and other agencies are exempt from disclosing information under the law, also known as FOIA. For example, the organization can redact or withhold records to protect […]

The ohana spirit

8/23/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 12/12/24 at 3:39 pm

In Hawaiian, “ohana” means “family” in all its manifestations. That ohana spirit marked the recent installation of seven new postmasters in Maui County: Michelle Almeida (Kihei), Danielle Boteilho (Makawao), David Boydstun (Lahaina), Virgillio “Jun” Cariazo (Kula), Chris Harris (Puunene), Brandyann Moore (Kaunakakai), and Marlene Nagata (Paia). “This event is a celebration … of our commitment […]

On the hunt

8/23/24 at 5:02 am | Updated 8/22/24 at 9:34 am

“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Whose organization is sponsoring a scavenger hunt to locate and return unused computer, networking and other equipment? a) Chief information officer b) Chief processing and distribution officer c) Chief retail and […]

Postal Bulletin emphasizes back-to-school safety

8/22/24 at 9:24 am

Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Aug. 22, reminds employees to take care while driving in neighborhoods, especially before and after school. Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included. Employees can go to usps.com to read and download the latest Postal Bulletin, along with past issues. […]

Express yourself

8/20/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 8/19/24 at 11:08 am

The Postal Service dedicated its new Pinback Buttons stamps at the Great American Stamp Show in Hartford, CT, on Thursday, Aug. 15. “One of the bedrocks of our nation is freedom of expression, so it’s no surprise that pinback buttons have enjoyed such enduring popularity,” said Shibani Gambhir, the USPS sales intelligence and support vice […]

Stay disconnected at home

8/20/24 at 5:04 am | Updated 8/19/24 at 10:45 am

The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors that they should not connect their personal smart devices to USPS-issued smartphones, tablets or laptops. Smart devices include watches, televisions, appliances, home security cameras and personal tablets and phones. They are part of the Internet of Things, also known as IoT. These IoT devices connect to the […]

PSHB virtual seminar

8/20/24 at 5:01 am | Updated 8/19/24 at 10:32 am

USPS employees may participate in an upcoming virtual seminar on the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program. The session will be held Tuesday, Aug. 27, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern. PSHB — which takes effect in 2025 — is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be […]

Postal Pulse survey deadline approaching

8/19/24 at 10:25 am

USPS is encouraging employees to complete the Postal Pulse survey before the Friday, Sept. 13, deadline. The survey, which began Aug. 6, allows employees to share observations about their work environment. This feedback helps USPS to make positive changes and improvements. The Postal Pulse survey takes about 5-7 minutes to complete. Nonbargaining employees should have […]

I now pronounce you ‘postmaster’

8/9/24 at 5:11 am | Updated 8/8/24 at 12:27 pm

Guests at the installation ceremony for Tricia Lucas, the new postmaster of Hartford, CT, could be excused for thinking they had wandered into a midsummer wedding. Lucas was sworn in with a flourish: festive outdoor tent, colorful streamers and two adorable young attendants charming everyone as they made their way down the aisle. The two […]

The day the sun rose on USPS

8/9/24 at 5:07 am | Updated 8/13/24 at 5:08 pm

Mere months after a historic wildcat strike brought the U.S. Mail to a standstill, President Richard M. Nixon signed the Postal Reorganization Act— the most comprehensive postal reform since the nation’s founding — on Aug. 12, 1970. The act abolished the former Post Office Department, a Cabinet-level arm of government funded by taxpayers, and created […]

On a roll

8/9/24 at 5:04 am | Updated 8/8/24 at 10:45 am

“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Approximately how many Sun City, AZ, routes are delivered by USPS employees on bicycles? a) 10 percent b) 20 percent c) 30 percent d) 40 percent 2. Fill in the blank: […]

Autumn Colors stamp ceremony

8/9/24 at 5:01 am | Updated 8/8/24 at 10:37 am

The Postal Service will dedicate its Autumn Colors stamps on Friday, Aug. 16, in Hartford, CT. The ceremony, part of the Great American Stamp Show, will be held at 11 a.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center, located at 100 Columbus Blvd. The speakers will include Heather Dyer, the Postal Service’s chief information security officer. Attendees […]

USPS reports third-quarter financial results

8/8/24 at 4:32 pm | Updated 8/8/24 at 4:32 pm

The Postal Service has reported its financial results for fiscal year 2024’s third quarter (April 1-June 30). Here are some highlights: • Revenue. Total operating revenue was $18.8 billion, an increase of 1 percent compared with the same quarter one year earlier. Shipping and packages revenue increased 2.4 percent, First-Class Mail revenue increased 2.1 percent […]

Posts by Katie Howard