Katie Howard

Do you think that email is a phishing attempt? Report it

3/4/25 at 5:02 am | Updated 3/3/25 at 2:07 pm

The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors to report suspected phishing emails promptly to protect the organization’s network from cyberattacks. Phishing emails are attempts by scammers posing as legitimate people or institutions to lure recipients into providing sensitive data such as credit card details, personally identifiable information and passwords. Such emails are one of […]

Watch a video about the Appalachian Trail

3/4/25 at 4:58 am | Updated 3/3/25 at 5:58 pm

The Postal Service has released a video about its new Appalachian Trail stamps. The four-minute video features comments from Sandi Marra, CEO at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy; Bill O’Brien of the Appalachian Trail Museum; and Joe McConaughy, who holds the speed record for a self-supported hike of the entire trail. Daniel Tangherlini, a member of […]

Writing their hearts out

2/28/25 at 5:11 am | Updated 2/27/25 at 1:47 pm

A former postal facility in Japan that once processed mail now processes the grief, hope and longing of thousands of letter writers. The Missing Post Office on Awashima Island receives 10-20 letters a day addressed to living and departed relatives, friends, pets, past selves, future selves, inanimate objects and more. The idea began with artist […]

These stamps come with quite a view

2/28/25 at 5:06 am | Updated 2/27/25 at 1:49 pm

The Postal Service will release its Appalachian Trail stamps on Friday, Feb. 28. The century-old Appalachian National Scenic Trail traverses one of Earth’s oldest mountain ranges and runs through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. Within easy reach of large East Coast metropolitan areas, the trail provides several million people each year with peace, beauty […]

Masks off

2/28/25 at 4:58 am | Updated 2/27/25 at 11:17 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. Who photographed the most recent stamps in the Lunar New Year series? a) Antonio Alcalá b) Sally Andersen-Bruce c) Camille Chew d) Felix Unger 2. What is the subject of Postal […]

iPhone users to get automatic installation of updates

2/27/25 at 11:07 am

Employees and contractors with USPS-issued iPhones will begin receiving automatic software update installations in March. Users of these smartphones will receive a message on their device letting them know an update is available and giving them a deadline for installing it themselves. Devices that have not been updated by the deadline will automatically install the […]

Watch the PMG’s latest employee video

2/25/25 at 10:04 am | Updated 2/25/25 at 10:10 am

In his latest video message for employees, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy discusses recent developments involving the Postal Service. He also offers an update on the Delivering for America plan and thanks employees for their contributions to the organization. The video, released Feb. 25, is available on Link and other postal websites and will be shown […]

From the beach to the mountains

2/25/25 at 5:07 am | Updated 2/24/25 at 11:15 am

The Postal Service held a special dedication ceremony for its latest presorted standard stamps at the San Diego Stamp Show on Feb. 21. The American Vistas stamps feature two iconic American landscapes: mountains and beach. “The stamps convey a sense of calm, much like the peace and tranquility we experience when visiting these natural environments,” […]

Ethics rules apply after leaving USPS

2/25/25 at 5:02 am | Updated 2/24/25 at 11:08 am

The Postal Service wants employees to remember that federal ethics laws place certain employment-related restrictions on them after they leave the organization. Former employees and retirees can work wherever they choose, but they must adhere to guidelines if interacting with USPS on behalf of their new employer. Here are the most important post-employment restrictions to […]

USPS spotlights Post Offices that deliver for customers

2/24/25 at 5:01 am | Updated 2/20/25 at 4:58 pm

The Postal Service recently awarded 26 retail locations with the designation of 5-Star Banner Post Office, up from 12 in 2023. Now in its second year, the 5-Star Banner Program honors Post Offices whose retail employees achieve high scores across a variety of customer service indicators measured by USPS, including a “mystery shopper” program, customer […]

Years late, but still timely

2/21/25 at 5:06 am | Updated 2/20/25 at 2:03 pm

Scott Ritter was helping to replace mailboxes at an apartment building in San Diego last year when something caught his eye: an old, unopened greeting card covered in cobwebs and dust. The letter carrier suspected that the intended recipient was a long-gone college student — the area is popular with university students — and the […]

Learning about letters

2/21/25 at 5:02 am | Updated 2/20/25 at 2:05 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 is the name of the initiative, highlighted in the winter issue of The Eagle magazine, that teaches college students studying marketing how to harness the power of mail? a) Direct […]

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Appalachian Trail stamp ceremony

2/21/25 at 4:58 am | Updated 2/20/25 at 10:03 am

The Postal Service will dedicate its Appalachian Trail stamps on Friday, Feb. 28, in Dawsonville, GA. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Eastern at Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, located at 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Road. The speakers will include Daniel Tangherlini, a member of the USPS Board of Governors. Attendees […]

Postal Bulletin examines imposter scams

2/20/25 at 9:50 am | Updated 2/20/25 at 2:07 pm

Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Feb. 20, offers tips on how to avoid imposter scams, such as investment frauds, grandparent swindles, romance deceptions, and fake lottery and sweepstakes. 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 […]

Southern Area has a new vice president

2/20/25 at 5:06 am | Updated 2/19/25 at 11:24 am

Chenise LeDoux has been named Southern Area’s acting vice president. She replaces 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 recently was rural delivery director. Prior to that, LeDoux was […]

She’s a problem solver

2/18/25 at 5:06 am | Updated 2/13/25 at 4:26 pm

My name is Chloe Bickman and I’m a USPS customer services supervisor in New Orleans. I ensure that mail carriers are prepared for their routes, assignments are evenly divided, and customers are receiving their mail and packages in a timely manner. Recently, a customer in an area of new construction was not receiving mail and […]

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‘Keeping a Healthy Heart’

2/18/25 at 5:03 am | Updated 2/13/25 at 11:48 am

Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar to learn about the symptoms of stroke, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure, and how to prevent these conditions. The session, “Keeping a Healthy Heart,” will be held Tuesday, Feb. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern. Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, a provider of health […]

Mobile device security training deadline is April 14

2/18/25 at 5:01 am | Updated 2/13/25 at 4:40 pm

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 Feb. 9-15

2/16/25 at 5:04 am | Updated 2/13/25 at 5:18 pm

Mr. ZIP is ready for his close-up, and Link had a front-row seat. The updated character stars in a new YouTube show, “Mail with Mr. Zip,” a collaboration between USPS and Moonbug Entertainment that is designed to grow the postal brand among children. “We’re lucky we have Mr. ZIP to work with and that we […]

Virtual maintenance job fair

2/16/25 at 4:59 am | Updated 2/13/25 at 11:42 am

The Postal Service will offer a virtual job fair for maintenance positions on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern. The event will showcase a variety of positions, including building equipment mechanics, custodians, electronic technicians and maintenance mechanics, including maintenance mechanics for mail processing equipment. No special education or certification is required […]

He observed something unusual

2/15/25 at 5:01 am | Updated 2/13/25 at 12:23 pm

Letter Carrier John McDermott was delivering mail in Hornell, NY, recently when he noticed that an older customer’s mail was not being picked up, which was unusual. The carrier alerted the local postmaster, who called the police. Officers visited the home later that day and found the man had died. Medical officials determined that the […]

Loney’s star rises again

2/14/25 at 5:04 am | Updated 2/13/25 at 11:42 am

Topeka, KS, Letter Carrier Jerry Loney will be honored by the National Association of Letter Carriers this spring for delivering a lifeline to a customer in distress. The union highlights acts of courage and compassion by letter carriers at an annual award ceremony in Washington, DC. Last year, Loney was delivering mail when he was […]

Teaching kids about USPS

2/14/25 at 4:59 am | Updated 2/13/25 at 11:48 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. In what year was Mr. ZIP, star of the new “Mail with Mr. ZIP” YouTube series, introduced to teach customers about the ZIP Code system? a) 1953 b) 1963 c) 1973 […]

USPS names new chief retail and delivery officer

2/11/25 at 5:11 am | Updated 2/10/25 at 2:26 pm

Elvin Mercado has been named the Postal Service’s acting chief retail and delivery officer. He succeeds Dr. Joshua Colin, who is now the Postal Service’s chief performance officer. Mercado will oversee 430,000 employees in more than 30,000 retail and delivery sites. He most recently was acting delivery operations vice president. Prior to that, Mercado was […]

She finds answers

2/11/25 at 5:07 am | Updated 2/10/25 at 12:11 pm

My name is Ashley Motta and I’m a congressional liaison for the Postal Service in Washington, DC. I serve as one of the points of contact for members of Congress and their staffs to communicate with our organization. Together with my colleagues in Government Relations and Public Policy, we build relationships with members and their […]

Are you seeking a second job?

2/11/25 at 5:02 am | Updated 2/10/25 at 2:15 pm

USPS wants employees to be mindful of federal ethics rules when seeking supplemental employment. A second job cannot conflict with an employee’s Postal Service duties. Employees must adhere to USPS regulations and maintain regular, on-time attendance in their postal positions. Employees must give their USPS position priority in scheduling conflicts, and they cannot let their […]

‘Healthy Hearts’

2/11/25 at 4:58 am | Updated 2/10/25 at 1:00 pm

Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar that will provide an overview of heart health topics such as atherosclerosis and show how to make heart-healthy choices. The session, “Healthy Hearts,” will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern. Representatives from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a provider of health plans for […]

A new TV ad touts USPS Ground Advantage

2/10/25 at 2:01 pm

A new 30-second TV ad promoting USPS Ground Advantage began airing Feb. 10. The commercial, titled “Stay in the Know,” shows a warehouse worker placing a package on a letter carrier’s dolly piled high with similar packages. The action suggests the worker is “there” at each step of the package’s journey, from initial truck ride […]

On the map

2/7/25 at 5:05 am | Updated 2/6/25 at 12:21 pm

The USPS social media heatmap lit up like a Christmas tree for the Berea, KY, Post Office during peak season. The heatmap — an internal application the organization uses to cull information from online reviews from more than 30 websites — allows USPS to track customer sentiment. A score of “5” is the top mark […]

An exacting adventure

2/7/25 at 5:01 am | Updated 2/6/25 at 11:54 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. In their quest to go to all the Post Offices in Maine, customers Al D’Andrea and Margit Ahlin set their own record by visiting how many in just one day? a) […]

Posts by Katie Howard