Katie Howard

Do you know how to avoid social engineering tricks?

5/6/25 at 5:03 am | Updated 5/5/25 at 12:18 pm

The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors to guard against social engineering threats to the organization. Cybercriminals use behavior manipulation and trust tricks to get people to divulge confidential information or take actions that could compromise security. Social engineering tactics include phishing emails, fake text messages and impersonating legitimate organizations such as USPS. Employees […]

‘Managing Stress Through Mindfulness’

5/6/25 at 4:57 am | Updated 5/5/25 at 10:44 am

Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on self-care strategies. The session, “Managing Stress Through Mindfulness,” will be held Tuesday, May 13, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern. Representatives from Aetna, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion. Participants must register before the event on the webinar website. […]

Postal Posts looks at efficiency and sustainability

5/5/25 at 10:26 am | Updated 5/5/25 at 11:49 am

The latest entry on Postal Posts, the USPS blog, explains how the Delivering for America plan’s emphasis on efficiency is resulting a more sustainable organization. Jennifer Beiro-Réveillé, the Postal Service’s environmental affairs and corporate sustainability senior director, wrote the post, which was published May 2. […]

The music venue with its own Post Office

4/25/25 at 5:11 am | Updated 4/24/25 at 2:52 pm

Mail will take center stage in Nashville next week when the National Postal Forum — the mailing and shipping industry’s largest annual conference — gets underway at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center on Sunday, April 27. At the nearby Grand Ole Opry, country music icons not only grace the stage but pick up their mail […]

These dahlias really show their colors

4/25/25 at 5:07 am | Updated 4/25/25 at 8:29 am

The Postal Service will release new stamps showcasing the lush beauty of dahlias in bloom on Saturday, April 26. Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America, where they grow as wildflowers and were cultivated in Aztec gardens. By the mid-19th century, dahlias had arrived in the United States. Dahlias range from delicate star-shaped blooms […]

This hoppy-go-lucky employee delivers smiles

4/25/25 at 5:04 am | Updated 4/24/25 at 1:21 pm

The wife of Sinarda Tyler, a rural carrier in Groton, CT, has an Instagram account dedicated to video clips of Tyler dressed for the 25 days leading to Christmas — often featuring a punny T-shirt, colorful leggings and festive gear that he also wears while making his deliveries. “We do a little story and put […]

War and remembrance

4/25/25 at 5:01 am | Updated 4/24/25 at 10:53 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. The Battlefields of the American Revolution stamps depict five turning points in America’s fight for independence. Which battles are they? a) Monmouth, Bunker Hill, Trenton, Saratoga and Yorktown b) Lexington and […]

Goodnight Moon stamp event

4/25/25 at 4:58 am | Updated 4/24/25 at 10:42 am

The Postal Service will dedicate its Goodnight Moon stamps on Friday, May 2, in North Kansas City, MO. The event will be held at 11 a.m. Central at the Rabbit hOle, a children’s museum at 919 E. 14th Ave. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP online. […]

Just say no to endorsements

4/22/25 at 5:04 am | Updated 4/21/25 at 1:58 pm

USPS is reminding employees about the rules on unauthorized endorsements. Because of the nature of the Postal Service’s business, private organizations might seek to further their interests by requesting an endorsement — a favorable comment about a product, service or enterprise provided in writing, on video or in a public forum — from a USPS […]

New video explores American Revolution battles

4/21/25 at 1:36 pm | Updated 4/21/25 at 1:36 pm

The Postal Service has released a video about its Battlefields of the American Revolution stamps. The two-minute video features comments from Judy de Torok, the Postal Service’s corporate affairs vice president, who spoke at the April 16 dedication ceremony for the stamps. “These Forever stamps focus on five important battlefields where so many fought and […]

Fly flags at half-staff to honor Pope Francis

4/21/25 at 10:57 am | Updated 4/21/25 at 11:33 am

All Postal Service facilities should fly the U.S. flag at half-staff to honor Pope Francis, who died April 21. Flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment. To fly the flag at half-staff, hoist the flag to the peak for an instant and then lower it to the half-staff position. […]

Labor relations VP named

4/15/25 at 5:08 am | Updated 4/15/25 at 12:42 pm

Michael J. Elston has been appointed the Postal Service’s labor relations vice president. In this role, he will oversee the organization’s labor-management relations, including contract negotiations, compensation, benefits and ensuring that employee strategies align with the Delivering for America plan. Prior to this role, Elston served as the USPS Board of Governors secretary, an officer-level […]

She makes it count

4/15/25 at 5:05 am | Updated 4/14/25 at 12:59 pm

My name is Eleanor Gary and I’m a customer services supervisor for West Los Angeles station. I’ve been with the Postal Service — oh, my word — for 31 years. I started as a temporary employee, then after I had my daughter, Alissa, I crossed over to delivering mail. When I was out after having […]

If you have feedback, we want to hear it

4/15/25 at 5:02 am | Updated 4/14/25 at 10:51 am

Link is introducing a feature that will allow you to share your thoughts on our stories. The new “Mail” column will run regularly and feature excerpts from emails and letters we receive from readers. If you’d like to contribute, email your feedback or mail a letter to: LINKUSPS HEADQUARTERS475 L’ENFANT PLAZA SWWASHINGTON, DC 20260-3100 We […]

He found his voice — with help from his mom

4/11/25 at 5:09 am | Updated 4/10/25 at 3:33 pm

A mail handler at the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Palmetto, GA, recently advanced to the second round of the current season of “American Idol.” Brajawn Upshaw, 22, auditioned in Nashville for the musical talent contest show. “I grew up singing,” he said. “It’s just something I had inside me.” Singing became a […]

A big delivery

4/11/25 at 5:05 am | Updated 4/10/25 at 11:26 am

Employees at the Antigo, WI, Post Office had a bit of extra mail to deliver to one of their customers last month — more than 13,000 cards, letters and packages. They were destined for decorated World War II combat veteran Reuben Kolpack of nearby Birnamwood. Prior to his birthday in March, one of his granddaughters […]

Dots, dashes and a line

4/11/25 at 5:02 am | Updated 4/10/25 at 1:26 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. What was the first message sent by Samuel Morse from Washington, DC, to Baltimore by his electromagnetic telegraph in 1844? a) “Full speed ahead.” b) “Meet me in St. Louis.” […]

Read More… from Dots, dashes and a line

Have your dependent care needs changed?

4/7/25 at 8:26 am | Updated 4/3/25 at 10:49 am

Postal Service employees whose dependent care needs have changed because of recent updates to the organization’s telework policy may now enroll in a dependent care flexible spending account. These accounts, also known as DCFSAs, offer tax advantages to help employees who are returning to the office care for their children and adult dependents. Employees who […]

‘PSHB and Medicare in Retirement’

4/7/25 at 7:11 am | Updated 4/3/25 at 10:41 am

USPS employees may participate in a webinar that will help explain how the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program and Medicare work in retirement. The session, “PSHB and Medicare in Retirement,” will be held Monday, April 14, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern. Representatives from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a provider of health plans for […]

Deadline for mobile device security training is April 14

4/7/25 at 6:56 am | Updated 4/3/25 at 10:33 am

Employees and contractors who have USPS-issued mobile devices must complete the mandatory, every-other-year mobile device security training by Monday, April 14. The course will cover proper security measures that should be taken when using USPS-issued mobile devices and provides policy information, best practices and tools to assist in securing devices. This course offers a way […]

Here’s what Link covered March 30-April 5

4/6/25 at 9:08 am | Updated 4/3/25 at 1:03 pm

Last week, Link reported the results of the latest Combined Federal Campaign. USPS employees pledged $2.7 million during the charity drive, including monetary pledges of $2.67 million and the monetary value of more than 2,100 volunteer hours. “Once again, Postal Service employees have shown they put their money — and time — where their hearts […]

She heard a cry from the weeds

4/5/25 at 10:32 am | Updated 4/3/25 at 11:15 am

Rural Carrier Angela Darnell was delivering mail in Trafalgar, IN, recently when she heard someone yelling for help. She got out of her vehicle and found an older woman lying on the ground. The customer had fallen backward while pulling weeds in her yard and couldn’t get up. Darnell couldn’t lift the customer by herself, […]

USPS raised $2.7 million for the Combined Federal Campaign

4/4/25 at 8:51 am | Updated 4/2/25 at 2:17 pm

Postal Service employees pledged $2.7 million during the most recent Combined Federal Campaign, the federal government’s annual workplace charity drive. This includes monetary pledges of $2.67 million and the monetary value of more than 2,100 volunteer hours. “Once again, Postal Service employees have shown they put their money — and time — where their hearts […]

His egg-cellent idea

4/4/25 at 7:33 am | Updated 4/2/25 at 2:09 pm

Look closely at the new Betty White stamp and you’ll notice she’s wearing a paw print earring, symbolizing her lifelong work as an animal advocate. Dale Stephanos, the artist who worked on the stamp, said the tiny detail came to him at breakfast. “I was absent mindedly drawing instead of eating my eggs and looking […]

Heroes and other doers of good

4/4/25 at 6:27 am | Updated 4/2/25 at 2:13 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. Blood drives organized by Andrew Fontanetta and Tony Paolillo — two of the USPS employees who received awards from the National Association of Letter Carriers last month — have collected how […]

LeDoux named Southern Area VP

4/3/25 at 7:12 am | Updated 4/2/25 at 12:30 pm

Chenise LeDoux has been named Southern Area vice president, a role she’s held on an acting basis since January. She succeeds Linda Crawford, who retired in 2024. LeDoux is responsible for retail and delivery operations in 11 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — and a workforce of more than 124,000. She most […]

‘Busting Exercise Myths’

4/3/25 at 6:08 am | Updated 4/2/25 at 12:23 pm

Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar to learn best practices for movement and physical activity. The session, “Busting Exercise Myths: Finding Time for Exercise,” will be held Thursday, April 10, from noon to 12:30 p.m. Eastern. Representatives from the Mail Handers Benefits Plan will lead the discussion. The plan is open to […]

Do you know about EAP?

4/1/25 at 5:07 am | Updated 3/31/25 at 10:53 am

April is EAP Awareness Month, a good time to take stock of the tools that the USPS Employee Assistance Program offers employees and their family members to address life challenges. EAP professionals offer: • Coaching and training; • Consultations; • Counseling — face-to-face, video or telephone; • Critical incident response; • Health and wellness information; […]

Read More… from Do you know about EAP?

Who’s contacting you?

4/1/25 at 5:04 am | Updated 3/31/25 at 5:50 pm

Cybercriminals often contact people and claim to be from a reputable company to try to get their intended victims to reveal personal information, such as passwords and financial data. When this contact is done by text message, it is called “smishing.” When it is done by a phone call, it is “vishing.” Cybercriminals often try […]

Read More… from Who’s contacting you?

‘Eating Well at Work’

4/1/25 at 4:58 am | Updated 3/31/25 at 10:40 am

Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar to learn tips for preparing healthy workday meals. The session, “Eating Well at Work,” will be held Tuesday, April 8, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern. Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion. Participants must register before […]

Read More… from ‘Eating Well at Work’

Posts by Katie Howard