Friday, February 6, 2026
USPS reports first-quarter financial results
Total operating revenue was $22.2 billion
The Postal Service has announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (Oct. 1-Dec. 31). Here are some highlights:
• Revenue. Total operating revenue was $22.2 billion, a 1.2 percent decrease compared with the same quarter the previous fiscal year. First-Class Mail revenue increased 1 percent, while Marketing Mail revenue decreased 2.7 percent. Shipping and packages revenue decreased 0.2 percent.
• Volume. Total volume was 28.3 billion pieces, down 9.4 percent compared with the same quarter one year ago. First-Class Mail volume declined 6.1 percent, while Marketing Mail volume declined 10.9 percent. Shipping and packages volume declined 12.1 percent.
• Expenses. Under generally accepted accounting principles, total operating expenses were $23.5 billion for the quarter, an increase of 4.6 percent compared with the same quarter one year ago. The overall increase in operating expenses was primarily due to the impact of discount rates on workers’ compensation costs, increases in retiree health benefits costs, other operating costs and transportation costs.
• Net loss. Net loss for the quarter totaled $1.3 billion, compared with net income of $144 million for the same quarter last year. Results for the quarter were affected by an increase in workers’ compensation expenses of $634 million, an operating revenue decrease of $264 million, an increase in retiree health benefits expenses of $175 million, higher other-operating expenses of $169 million and higher transportation expenses of $43 million.
“While we are pleased that the holiday quarter was quite strong with regard to service improvement as measured by our on-time delivery scores and other important service performance metrics, we continue to face difficult systemic financial and business model headwinds,” Postmaster General David Steiner said.
“To right our financial ship, we are aggressively pursuing growth strategies — which include creating new opportunities for businesses to leverage our vast last-mile delivery network — and driving greater efficiencies throughout our operations. We are convinced that these efforts, if combined with needed regulatory, administrative and legislative changes, can meet the needs of the American public and return the Postal Service to long-term financial stability and strength.”
The Postal Service’s Feb. 5 news release has more information.
This teacher uses football to teach how to write letters
Students at a Florida elementary school pick a team and learn all they can about it
A third grade teacher at Pinecrest Elementary School near Miami uses her love of NFL football to teach students valuable lessons — including the joys of writing letters.
Mary Crippen incorporates football games, teams, players and on-field incidents into her classroom activities.
She encourages students to choose an NFL team and learn everything they can about it, such as the geography of their location and facts about star players.
One of her assignments involves the Postal Service. She has her students write a letter to their chosen team.
For many, this is the first letter they have ever written.
In response to the letters, NFL teams have mailed packages to the students containing jerseys, hats, rally towels, autographs, fanny packs, pencils, stickers, pins and other souvenirs.
Players such as New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston have recorded an inspirational message for the students, and others have visited Crippen’s classroom.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave game tickets to a student who wrote to his team so she and her family could attend his game versus the Miami Dolphins. And Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa donated $50,000 to build a flag football field outside Crippen’s school.
The students were amazed to see the results of their letters, but Crippen teaches them to keep a proper perspective, emphasizing that receiving gifts is not the point of the program.
“If you start expecting these things, you’re in it for the wrong reasons,” she told them.
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People
This rural carrier traveled a country mile
A spotlight on postal legacies in Illinois and Idaho
John Moore, who was with USPS for 62 years and was the last rural carrier on a “mileage route,” died Jan. 26.
Moore, 83, was based in Martinton, IL, and was still delivering mail up until his death.
“He was an amazing guy. Everyone just loved him,” said Julie Clay, postmaster of St. Anne, IL.
On a mileage route, an employee’s salary is based on the number of miles driven. There are other carriers who are paid by the mile, but their salaries can be affected by other factors.
Moore’s father was also a rural carrier — on a route said to have been delivered by horse-drawn wagon at one point — and he would sometimes accompany him on it as a young boy.
He became his father’s substitute in 1963 and took over the route when his dad died in 1967.
Clay said Moore was always neatly dressed in pressed pants and a collared shirt and handed out pens with his name, address and phone number on them to customers. Children and dogs could expect a treat in the mailbox at Christmastime.
In a 2018 Link article, Moore noted that his Chevrolet Lumina had 271,000 miles on it. “I hope it doesn’t retire before I do,” he said jokingly.
Clay spoke with him the day before he died, and Moore happened to mention that the car, which was still running, had 420,000-plus miles on the odometer.
“He was very proud of his and his dad’s legacy. And it was a legacy … they had more than 100 years” with the Postal Service, she said.
All in the family in Idaho
Noel Roman, the USPS historical preservation architect, recently put out a call for historical Post Office photos and was struck by a response from Laurie Darrington, the postmaster of Malta, ID.
Darrington sent Roman photos of the Elba, ID, Post Office, explaining that her grandfather, Lorenzo Darrington, became Elba’s postmaster in 1936, and the facility was under the same roof as the family home. Her grandmother, Ruby Darrington, served as postmaster from Lorenzo’s 1959 death until her retirement in 1968, when Laurie’s mother, Vivian Darrington, became postmaster and served until her retirement in 1994.
Laurie explained that the Elba Post Office closed in 1996, and sorting and delivery moved to Malta. She became relief postmaster in Malta in 2003 and postmaster in 2013.
“The Post Office in our house was unique, but my sisters and I didn’t think too much about it growing up because it was all we knew. My mom just had to open the door to go to work,” she said.
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USPS facilities must report hazardous chemicals
The requirement is part of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
Postal Service facilities that store certain quantities of hazardous chemicals must complete and submit the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Tier II form by March 1 each year.
Reporting requirements apply to any location that stores threshold quantities of EPCRA-regulated chemicals, such as sulfuric acid in lead-acid and gel cell batteries; gasoline; diesel fuel; heating oil; propane; and ice melting and anti-skid products.
In most cases, the federal reporting threshold is 10,000 pounds.
USPS facilities that exceed this threshold must complete and submit an EPCRA Tier II form to notify state and local emergency response agencies about the potential hazards on site.
The EPCRA Tier II Reporting Environmental Compliance Bulletin, available on the Environmental Affairs Blue page, has more information.
Employees who have questions should consult their region’s designated USPS environmental specialist.
News Quiz
Phillis Wheatley, poet of prodigious gifts
What do you know about this year’s Black Heritage stamp honoree?
“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 title of Phillis Wheatley’s book published in 1773, which brought her national and international acclaim?
a) “Freedom Finds Her Voice”
b) “My American Story From Slavery to Glory”
c) “On the Wings of an Eagle”
d) “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral”
2. Where was the dedication ceremony for the Colorado Statehood stamp held?
a) History Colorado Center
b) Jagged Mountain Visitors Center
c) Pike’s Peak Public Library
d) Rocky Mountain National Park
3. What did the USPS exhibit at the 2026 NHL Stadium Series game in Tampa, FL, allow hockey fans to do?
a) Get their photo on a postcard to be mailed from the stadium
b) Obtain autographs from NHL legend Wayne Gretzky
c) Purchase limited-edition “My Zamboni is an LLV” T-shirts
d) Receive an official USPS puck
4. True or false: USPS employees cannot perform consulting work for an outside entity involving postal operations, programs or procedures.
a) True
b) False
5. How did Stratford, NJ, Letter Carrier Anthony Scardino know a customer needed help inside her home?
a) He heard the customer cry for help.
b) He noticed the front door was wide open.
c) He saw smoke coming from a window.
d) The customer’s dog was barking frantically.
Answers: 1) d. 2) a. 3) a. 4) a. 5) a.
Postal Bulletin takes a look at safe lifting
Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Feb. 5, gives tips for how to properly lift items such as mail trays, parcels, equipment and supplies.
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.
View past printouts
Printout details
What's included
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USPS reports first-quarter financial results
Total operating revenue was $22.2 billion
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This teacher uses football to teach how to write letters
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People
This rural carrier traveled a country mile
A spotlight on postal legacies in Illinois and Idaho
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USPS facilities must report hazardous chemicals
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News Quiz
Phillis Wheatley, poet of prodigious gifts
What do you know about this year’s Black Heritage stamp honoree?
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Brief
Postal Bulletin takes a look at safe lifting