What is being done to protect your mail from getting stolen
Mail theft is a huge problem both in the Houston area and across the country. Thieves bust into cluster mailboxes or blue collection boxes to take what they want. Or they target postal carriers and steal mail keys. The U.S. Postal Service is working to step up security measures in Houston and across the country to help protect your mail.
KPRC 2 Investigates cluster mailbox mess
Many communities and subdivisions in and around Houston use cluster mailboxes. The clusters with multiple mail slots make it easy for people to get their mail from one location but when the boxes need repair or replacing mail customers say they're getting the runaround. They called KPRC 2 Investigates for help.
Houston man sentenced to life in prison; Police say he confessed to shooting USPS mail carrier, setting her body on fire
A 45-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to life in prison after admitting to murdering a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier in 2013, Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery announced Monday.
AP Interview: Disinformation concerns mail voting expert
Amber McReynolds, the CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute, tells The Associated Press in an interview that she is concerned about disinformation, attacks on election officials and lack of uniform national standards for basic elements of conducting an election.
United will pay $49 million to settle air mail fraud case
FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2020 file photo, United Airlines employees work at ticket counters in Terminal 1 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. United Airlines will pay more than $49 million to settle criminal and civil accusations of defrauding the post office in the handling of international mail. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)(AP) โ United Airlines will pay more than $49 million to avoid criminal prosecution and settle civil charges of defrauding the U.S. Chicago-based United agreed to pay nearly $17.3 million in criminal penalties and forfeited revenue to end the criminal investigation, and separately United will pay $32.2 million in related civil penalties, according to the Justice Department. United and several other U.S. airlines trace their roots to air mail delivery contracts in the early part of the last century, and mail remains a source of revenue for them.
Election of Democratic chair portends change at post office
Postal Service's stretch of challenges didn't end with the November general election and tens of millions of mail-in votes. Postal Service Board of Governors, marking the first step in a potential shakeup under President Joe Biden. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., a New Jersey Democrat, wants Biden to fire the entire Postal Service Board of Governors for what he called dereliction of duty. All of that mail helped the Postal Service improve its quarterly financial performance, officials said Tuesday. Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said the pandemic has given postal carriers an opportunity to shine.
'Unprecedented' mail volume delays Christmas gifts
Some Christmas gift-givers discovered their presents didn't arrive in time for the holiday despite ordering weeks ahead. Postal Service says it faces "unprecedented volume increases and limited employee availability due to the impacts of COVID-19. It hadnโt reached his father after the Postal Service passed through his neighborhood Thursday night, even though he was notified Dec. 8 that it was shipped by two-day priority mail. Joanna Goldstein ordered Christmas ornaments online Nov. 17 for her 10-year-old sonโs soccer coach and her sonโs friend. All appeared well Dec. 11 when she received a notice from the Postal Service that the ornaments had been received in Columbus, Ohio.
Operation Santa: USPS seeks people to adopt Santa letters, help make kidsโ Christmas wishes come true
The mail agencyโs program, aptly dubbed โOperation Santa,โ allows children and families to write letters to Father Christmas, which will then be processed and shared online at USPSOperationSanta.com beginning Dec. 4. According to the USPS, the campaign first started in the early 1900s when the Postal Service started receiving letters to Santa Claus. The online program expanded to 17 cities in 2019. Full instructions are available on the Operation Santa website. USPS Operation Santa ends on Dec. 19.
Shipping deadlines: This is when you need to send your packages for arrival by Christmas
With the coronavirus pandemic altering lots of holiday plans this year, shippers are preparing for a significant increase in the number of packages that will need to be delivered. Here are the shipping deadlines you need to know if you want your packages to arrive by Dec. 25. Postal ServiceFor the lower 48 states:Dec. 15 -- Retail Ground ServiceDec. 18 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 19 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 23 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceFor Alaska:Dec. 18 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 19 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 21 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceFor Hawaii:Dec. 15 -- First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 15 -- Priority Mail ServiceDec. 21 -- Priority Mail Express ServiceClick here for international shipping deadlines for USPS. FedExDec. 9 -- FedEx Smart PostDec. 15 -- FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx GroundDec. 21 -- FedEx Express Saver, FedEx 3Day FreightDec. 22 -- FedEx 2Day, FedEx 2Day A.M., FedEx 2Day FreightDec. 23 -- FedEx 1Day Freight, FedEx Extra Hours, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx First OvernightDec. 25 -- FedEx SameDay, FedEx SameDay City Priority, FedEx SameDay City DirectClick here for international shipping deadlines for FedEx. UPSDec. 15 -- UPS GroundDec. 21 -- UPS 3 Day SelectDec. 22 -- UPS 2nd Day AirDec. 23 -- UPS Next Day AirDec. 25 -- UPS is closed, but UPS Express Critical is availableShipments to certain destinations may require an earlier ship date.
How 2 ballots from Alabama ended up in a Katy mailbox
KATY, Texas โ The two envelopes labeled as official election mail and addressed to the Dale County Absentee Election Manager in Ozark, Alabama were found in the Houston area. Denise Fierros said the mail was delivered to her hundreds of miles away in Katy this week. The absentee election managerโs telephone number is listed as the third and final line of the address. The phone number 334-774-5003, which includes the digits 77450, a zip code for the Katy area. Fierros said she did not open the envelopes and plans to turn them into a city official in Katy on Monday.
2020 Latest: Biden says 'no one' will take US democracy away
The nation is waiting to learn whether Biden or Trump will collect the 270 electoral votes needed to capture the presidency. As the hearing unfolded Thursday evening, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden were locked in a tight battle for the 20 electoral votes in Pennsylvania. Trump last appeared in public early Wednesday, when he falsely declared victory over Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential race. The presidential race has not yet been called because neither Trump nor Biden has yet collected the requisite 270 Electoral College votes. Still, Trumpโs campaign has held out hope that continued counting in Arizona could overcome a Biden lead in the state.
After judge's order, Postal Service sweep finds 13 ballots
Postal Service inspectors found just 13 ballots โ all in Pennsylvania โ during an Election Day sweep of mail processing centers ordered by a federal judge. The ballots were found in two separate mail processing facilities and were expedited for delivery to local election offices, according to court records filed Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in Washington, D.C., had given the Postal Service until Tuesday afternoon to search 27 facilities in several battleground areas for outstanding ballots and immediately deliver any ballots discovered to election offices. Justice Department attorneys representing the Postal Service said they could not meet the judge's order without disrupting the agency's own Election Day operations. Instead, they are expedited directly to the boards of elections,โ Postal Service spokesman Dave Partenheimer said.
Postal Service says it canโt meet judgeโs ballot order
Postal Service on Tuesday said it could not meet a federal judgeโs order to sweep processing centers for undelivered mail-in ballots, arguing that doing so would disrupt its Election Day operations. At the same time, President Donald Trump has baselessly attacked mail voting as fraudulent throughout his campaign. In its response to the judge's order, the Postal Service said it had already conducted rounds of morning checks at all its processing hubs. Further, the agency said has been performing daily reviews of all 220 facilities handling election mail and planned another sweep hours before polling places closed Tuesday. Much of Sullivanโs order hinged on postal data showing roughly 300,000 mail-in ballots in several states had not received scans showing they had been delivered.
EXPLAINER: Postal Service, judge at odds over ballot search
Postal Service says it can't meet a federal judgeโs order to sweep processing centers for undelivered mail-in ballots. THE BACKGROUND:U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan's order came after weeks of bruising court decisions for an agency that has become heavily politicized under its new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Much of Sullivanโs order hinged on postal data showing roughly 300,000 mail-in ballots in several states had not received scans showing they had been delivered. The Postal Service said it had already conducted rounds of morning checks at all its processing hubs. Further, the agency said has been performing daily reviews of all 220 facilities handling election mail and planned another sweep hours before polling places closed Tuesday.
Judge orders USPS to search centers for ballots
WASHINGTON โ A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ordered U.S. Postal Service inspectors to sweep more than two dozen mail processing facilities for lingering mail-in ballots and for those ballots to be sent out immediately. The order, which includes centers in central Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, south Florida, parts of Wisconsin and Texas, including Houston, comes after national delivery delays leading up to the election and concerns the agency wouldnโt be able to deliver ballots on time. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, who has presided over several lawsuits aimed at USPS election mail delays, gave the Postal Service until 3 p.m. to โensure that no ballots have been held upโ in regions that have been slow to process mail ballots. The Postal Serviceโs ability to handle the surge of mail-in ballots became a concern after its new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major GOP donor, implemented a series of policy changes that delayed mail nationwide this summer.
Judge orders USPS to provide info on service changes
YAKIMA, Wash. โ A federal judge in Washington state is giving the Trump administration and the U.S. Postal Service 10 days to turn over records and information about service changes that critics say could undermine mail-in voting in the November election. More than 20 states filed lawsuits last week over the changes, including 14 states that sued in U.S. District Court in Yakima. U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian on Thursday granted the statesโ request to speed up discovery in that case. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced the same day the lawsuit was filed that he was halting many of the changes, which included reducing overtime and removing mail sorting equipment.
Judge orders Postal Service to take extraordinary measures
Postal Service facility in McLean, Va. A U.S. judge on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide. The judge called them "a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service" before the November election. Postal Service to take โextraordinary measuresโ to deliver ballots in time to be counted in Wisconsin and around Detroit, including using a priority mail service. โThe Postal Service continues to implement extraordinary measures across the country to advance and expedite the delivery of the nationโs ballots." Postal Service that challenged the Postal Service's so-called โleave behindโ policy, where trucks have been leaving postal facilities on time regardless of whether there is more mail to load.
Battleground postal delays persist with mail voting underway
Postal Service records show delivery delays have persisted across the country as millions of Americans began voting by mail, raising the possibility of ballots being rejected because they arrive too late. Postal Service records show delivery delays have persisted across the country as millions of Americans are voting by mail, raising the possibility of ballots being rejected because they arrive too late. The agency also announced it will treat election mail as first-class, which had previously been an informal policy. Other battleground areas also showed problems in early October, with delivery rates of first-class mail below the national average. Postal delays also could compound existing issues that have cropped up in recent weeks as election officials manage the unpreceded surge in mail voting with deadlines looming.
Houston woman has no idea where mountain of shipping boxes are coming from
HOUSTON โ Katherine Green has a small mountain of shipping boxes growing inside her home, and she has no idea why theyโre being sent. 22 of those packages are shipping boxes with 25 items each. โI got labels another week, then I got a couple of more little smaller packages the next week,โ said Green. Postal Service several times to let them know she never ordered the boxes. โBut they were not going to pick it up.โThe packages are coming from a third-party contractor that delivers for the postal service.
Postal Service agrees to reverse service changes
Postal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. The agreement also requires the Postal Service to prioritize election mail. โThe Postal Service was willing to resolve this matter because it has always been our goal to ensure that anyone who chooses to utilize the mail to vote can do so successfully,โ said Postal Service spokesperson David Rupert in a statement. โThis settlement underscores our unwavering commitment to that principle and to our important role in the nationโs electoral process.โThe agreement comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial Postal Service changes on Sept. 17, calling the changes โa politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Serviceโ before the November election. Postal Service.
Postal Service agrees to reverse service changes that slowed down the mail
Postal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. The agreement also requires the Postal Service to prioritize election mail. Postal Service did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The agreement comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial Postal Service changes on Sept. 17, calling the changes โa politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Serviceโ before the November election. Postal Service.
Will mailed-in ballots be delivered on time?
Postal officials have repeatedly said the agency has more than enough capacity to handle the surge of ballots this fall, and its leaders have committed to prioritizing election mail. On top of that, each state has different rules on whether it accepts mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. Then, not too long after DeJoy took over, Trump openly admitted he was starving the Postal Service of coronavirus relief money to make it harder for the agency to process ballots. The Postal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that had slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. APโs Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020.
US judge orders stop to Postal Service cuts, echoing others
PHILADELPHIA โ A federal judge in Philadelphia joined others Monday in ordering a halt to recent Postal Service cuts that critics say are causing mail delays and threatening the integrity of the presidential election. Postal Service itself that shows โa pronounced increase in mail delays across the countryโ since July, the judge found. The Postal Service, in response, called election mail the agency's โnumber one priority." Shapiro was joined in the Philadelphia case by attorneys general in California, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and the District of Columbia. In the Washington case, which involved several presidential election battleground states, U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian said state officials had made a โstrong showingโ that the Trump administration was using the Postal Service โas a tool in partisan politics.โ
Postal worker indicted on federal charges in dumping of Troy Nehls' campaign fliers
HOUSTON โ A postal worker has been indicted on federal charges after a video surfaced in June showing a Postal Service worker dumping campaign fliers for Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls' into a dumpster. Officials said Lovely Eliabe, 24, of Richmond, turned herself in to federal authorities after being indicted on Sept. 15 on a charge of destroying U.S. mail. Postal Service when the crime was committed on June 26, prosecutors said. READ: Postal worker caught on camera dumping Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls' campaign fliers, he saysThe business owner said he showed Nehls the video footage of a postal worker throwing an object in the dumpster behind a building near FM 359. The owner said when he went to go retrieve what was thrown away, he found Nehlsโ campaign fliers.
Judge: Postal Service must process election mail on time
Postal Service to live up to its responsibilities to timely process election mail. The Monday, Sept. 21 written decision by Judge Victor Marrero came after several individuals including candidates for public office sued. Postal Service to process election mail. Officials at the Postal Service are reviewing the ruling, spokesperson Marti Johnson said in a written statement. โThere should be no doubt, however, that the Postal Service is ready and fully committed to handling expected increased volumes of Election Mail between now and the conclusion of the November 3rd election,โ the statement said.
US judge blocks Postal Service changes that slowed mail
Postal Service facility in McLean, Va. A U.S. judge on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide. Scott Applewhite, File)SEATTLE โ A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide, calling them โa politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Serviceโ before the November election. Postal Service. They also sought to force the Postal Service to treat election mail as first class mail. โThere's been a lot of confusion in the briefing and in the press about what the Postal Service has done,โ Borson said.
Dem report: Postal Service changes delay prescription drugs
FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2020, file photo, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testifies during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on the Postal Service on Capitol Hill in Washington. Postal Service operations, according to a report released Wednesday by Senate Democrats. The Postal Service had no immediate comment. In a letter to the Postal Service Board of Governors, the senators urged quick action to reverse these lapses in services," which they said "represent an ongoing public health threat.'' We know Louis DeJoy is sabotaging the Postal Service, Warren said.
No turning back in the state that pioneered voting by mail
But for election officials and voters in Oregon, which pioneered all vote-by-mail in the nation 20 years ago, there's no turning back to the old way of having people cast ballots in person at neighborhood polling places. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)SALEM, Ore. Running an election by mail is a major undertaking, involving the U.S. But for election officials and voters in Oregon which pioneered all vote-by-mail in the nation 20 years ago theres no turning back to the old way of having people cast ballots at neighborhood polling places. State Elections Director Steve Trout said officials from around 30 states have asked him for advice about expanding mail-in voting. Election officials here believe other states can do similar pivots so they can offer voting by mail noting that all states already have absentee voting in some form.
Thousands of chicks arrive dead to farmers amid USPS turmoil
PORTLAND, Maine At least 4,800 chicks shipped to Maine farmers through the U.S. Postal Service have arrived dead in the recent weeks since rapid cuts hit the federal mail carrier's operations, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said. The Postal Services media contact for the Eastern U.S. did not immediately return a Press Herald reporters message Wednesday. The Postal Service is the only entity that ships live chicks and other small animals and has done so since 1918, according to the services website. Rural Americans, including agricultural producers, disproportionately rely on USPS for their livelihoods, and it is essential that they receive reliable service, Pingree said.
In Texas, USPS woes and state deadlines could leave voters without enough time to return mail-in ballots
But the small number of voters who missed the cutoff to submit mail-in ballots on time also highlighted longstanding disconnects between state election law and the realities of the U.S. Postal Service recommends that Texans ask for mail-in ballots no later than 15 days out from that due date. Aided by the election funding her county received through the federal coronavirus relief package, Carew hired an election worker solely dedicated to mail-in ballots. To return their ballots, voters can either rely on the postal service or drop them off in person at their county elections offices. Texas voters will also be able to drop off their completed ballots at county election offices.
Thousands of chicks arrive dead to farmers amid USPS turmoil
PORTLAND, Maine At least 4,800 chicks shipped to Maine farmers through the U.S. Postal Service have arrived dead in recent weeks after rapid cuts hit the federal mail carrier's operations, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said. Postal Service. The Postal Service is the only entity that ships live chicks and other small animals and has done so since 1918, according to the services website. Rural Americans, including agricultural producers, disproportionately rely on USPS for their livelihoods, and it is essential that they receive reliable service, Pingree said.
Mail-delivery concerns put spotlight on ballot deadlines
The mail-in ballot deadlines are tight in the best of times. Georgia voters can request a ballot by mail until four days before the Nov. 3 election, with completed ballots due by 7 p.m. on Election Day. New Jersey ballots mailed on Election Day must be received within 48 hours of polls closing. Other states also are seeing conflicts between state officials and lawmakers over changing ballot deadlines. LaRose is urging voters to submit applications no later than Oct. 27, rather than waiting until the Saturday before Election Day.
Postal Service halts some changes amid outcry, lawsuits
Several vowed they would press on, keeping a watchful eye on the Postal Service ahead of the election. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pushing ahead with Saturdays vote to prevent election-year mail changes and provide emergency postal funds. A Postal Service spokesman declined to comment beyond DeJoys statement. Ferguson and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced they were leading collections of other states in suing to block service changes at the Postal Service, just as the postmaster was making his own statement Tuesday. The Postal Service is among the nations oldest and more popular institutions.
Amid outcry, postmaster general to testify before House
FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2020, file photo Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, left, is escorted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Postal Service said it has stopped removing mailboxes and mail-sorting machines amid an outcry from lawmakers. I have encouraged everybody: Speed up the mail, not slow the mail.Embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will testify next Monday before Congress, along with the chairman of the Postal Service board of governors. The package will also include $25 billion to shore up the Postal Service, which faces continued financial losses. "Dont tell me or others that youre just trying to make the post office make money.
Asia shares mixed after tech rally takes S&P 500 near record
A man wearing a face mask walks past a bank's electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index at Hong Kong Stock Exchange Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. Shares were mixed in Asia on Tuesday, after buying of technology stocks nudged the S&P 500 closer to the record high it set in February before the pandemic crunched the global economy. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)Shares were mixed in Asia on Tuesday, after buying of technology stocks nudged the S&P 500 closer to the record high it set in February before the pandemic crunched the global economy. Still, on Monday the S&P 500 picked up 9.14 points, or 0.3%, to 3,381.99. Tech stocks across the S&P 500 climbed 0.5%, accounting for about two-thirds of the index's gain.
Postmaster general to appear before Senate over mail delays
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)WASHINGTON Backlash mounting, President Donald Trump's embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will appear Friday before the Senate to testify on mail delivery delays and service changes that lawmakers and others are warning could imperil the November election. The top Democrat on the Homeland Security panel seeking DeJoy's testimony called the Postal Service a lifeline to Americans. The package will also include $25 billion to shore up the Postal Service, which faces continued financial losses. The Postal Service said it has stopped removing mailboxes and mail-sorting machines following complaints from lawmakers and customers. Meanwhile, the Postal Service is seeking a short-term rate increase that would raise prices on commercial domestic competitive parcels, including Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, first-class package service, Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service.
Ballot drop boxes seen as a way to bypass the post office
Washington state election officials said that there are 450 drop boxes statewide, and there are discussions about adding more. Typical security measures for drop boxes include video surveillance, locks, tamper-resistant seals and chain-of-custody logs that are completed each time ballots are collected. In Pennsylvania, a federal lawsuit by the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee has cast drop boxes into a legal gray area. Democratic state lawmakers are countersuing to get a judge to clarify that drop boxes are legal. Suburban Delaware County is plowing ahead with its plans for drop boxes without waiting for the outcome of the legal dispute, said County Council member Christine Reuther, a Democrat.
2020 Watch: Democrats begin their all-virtual convention
What were watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign:Days to general election: 78Days to first debate: 43___THE NARRATIVEThe first national political convention of the coronavirus era has arrived. President Donald Trump is working to step on the Democrats' convention and prevent Biden from earning any convention polling bounce. The Republican president launches a campaign tour on Monday that features in-person stops in three swing states, including Wisconsin. Forced to abandon their in-person convention in Milwaukee because of the pandemic, Democrats begin their all-virtual affair on Monday night. Biden won't be in Wisconsin for the Democrats' convention as initially planned this week, but Trump will.
House Dems summon postal leaders to hearing on mail delays
FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2020, file photo Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, left, is escorted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)BEDMINSTER, N.J. The Democratic-run House on Sunday demanded that leaders of the U.S. Postal Service testify at an emergency oversight hearing Aug. 24 on mail delays as concerns grow that the Trump White House is trying to undermine the agency during the coronavirus pandemic while states expand mail-in voting options for the November presidential election. The House Oversight and Reform Committee said it wants to hear from new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and from the chair of the Postal Service board of governors, Robert Duncan. On Saturday, Trump tried to massage his message, saying he supports increasing money for the Postal Service.
5 Things to Know for Today
A man shows bruises he says were left by police beating after being released from a detention center where protesters were detained during a mass rally following the presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Belarusian authorities have released more than 1,000 people detained during a violent police crackdown on protests and many talked about brutal beatings and other abuse by police. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:1. Postal Service of funding to make it harder to process an expected surge in mail-in ballots that he worries could cost him reelection. BELARUS FREES DETAINEES AMID PRESSURE Belarusian authorities release about 1,000 people detained during demonstrations contesting the results of the presidential election as anger mounts against a brutal crackdown on protesters.
Investigation underway after multiple mail thefts from River Oaks post office mailbox
Postal Service customers concerned in the River Oaks area. Janet Meyer says in the past few months sheโs had several pieces of mail disappear after dropping them off at the mailbox outside the post office in the 2800 block of Timmons Lane. โThis is a post office and it should be secure. The USPIS is aware of mail theft incidents in the vicinity of 2802 Timmons Lane and is actively investigating the matter. โThis post office has got some problems, but this is not right.
Trump admits he's blocking postal cash to stop mail-in votes
Postal Service of money in order to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots, which he worries could cost him the election. He's pairing the tough Postal Service stance in congressional negotiations with an increasingly robust mail-in-voting legal fight in states that could decide the election. That followed legal maneuvers in battleground Pennsylvania, where the campaign hopes to force changes to how the state collects and counts mail-in ballots. That figure, which would include money to help with election mail, is down from a $25 billion plan in a House-passed coronavirus measure. Judy Beard, legislative and political director for the American Postal Workers Union, said postal workers are up to the task of delivering mail-in ballots this year.
Lawmakers: Postal changes delay mail-order medicine for vets
Postal Service facility in McLean, Va. Postal Service. Postal Service are taking a toll on military veterans, who are reporting much longer wait times to receive mail-order prescription drugs, according to Democratic senators. The lawmakers called on DeJoy to reassess the impact of the postal changes on veterans and urged him to work with VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to reduce delays. Those who gave so much to serve this country should be able to count on the nations Postal Service to deliver their medications in a timely manner, the lawmakers wrote Friday.
Report: Post Office warns 46 states about mail voting delays
FILE - In this July 31, 2020, file photo, letter carriers load mail trucks for deliveries at a U.S. Postal Service facility in McLean, Va. Postal Service. The Postal Service is bracing for an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesman for the Postal Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump: Widespread mail-in voting hard without funding USPS
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Thursday that he opposes additional funding for the U.S. Trump also falsely stated that Democrats were pushing for universal mail-in voting and made the unfounded claim that mail-in voting would lead to massive voter fraud in the November election. Postal Service and election security ahead of the November election. They want $25 billion billion for the post office, he said, adding that, without it, the Postal Service won't be equipped to handle the influx of mail-in ballots. Democrats have pushed for $10 billion for the Postal Service in talks with Republicans on a huge COVID-19 response bill.
Postal Service emerges as flash point heading into election
Postal Service facility in McLean, Va. Postal Service. Postal Service. DeJoy has said repeatedly that the Postal Service is in a financially untenable position and needs to rein in expenses. Additional records obtained by AP outline upcoming reductions of hours at post offices, including closures during lunch and on Saturdays.
Senator launches investigation into Postal Service delays
Postal Service that are causing delays in mail deliveries across the country just as big volume increases are expected for mail-in election voting. Trump, a vocal critic of the Postal Service, contended Wednesday that "the Post Office doesnt have enough time to handle a significant increase in mail-in ballots. Democrats are calling for the Postal Service to rescind the restrictions on overtime and other operational changes, and they have pushed for $10 billion for the Postal Service in talks with Republicans on a huge COVID-19 response bill. David Partenheimer, a spokesman for the Postal Service, declined to comment on DeJoys meeting with Democrats. Partenheimer disputed reports that the Postal Service is slowing down election mail or any other mail.
House panel calls new postal chief to explain mail delays
Postal Service that are causing delays in mail deliveries across the country. The Postal Service and Treasury Department announced an agreement in principle on loan terms last week, with a formal agreement expected in the next few weeks. If postal distribution centers are running late, they will keep the mail for the next day, Postal Service leaders say in a document obtained by The Associated Press. Democratic lawmakers have demanded answers from DeJoy following complaints from constituents about mail service delays and other problems. Under new social distancing mandates, the Postal Service has become even more essential in keeping rural communities connected and economically viable.''
Senator, union leader: Postal Service considers downsizing
A recent document from the Postal Service, obtained by The Associated Press, described the need for an "operational pivot" to make the cash-strapped agency financially stable. The logical conclusion is that hes going to try to close some post offices, Dimondstein said of the postmaster general's belt-tightening strategies. The coronavirus pandemic has created further strain on Postal Service finances. The money was intended to help the Postal Service maintain essential services during the pandemic. Later Wednesday, Treasury announced it had reached agreement with the Postal Service on the terms of any future borrowing but also said the service was able to fund its operations at this time without using a loan.
Mail-in ballots thrust Postal Service into presidential race
Unlike its private competitors, the Postal Service cannot refuse to make costly deliveries to especially hard-to-reach addresses. Amid the pandemic, however, the Postal Service lost $4.5 billion in fiscal year 2020's second quarter. Since then, though, the Postal Service and the Treasury Department have had discussions about requirements to actually extend those loans. A 2018 Treasury Department task force also recommended the Postal Service increase package rates and cut labor costs. The Postal Service consistently ranks as Americans' favorite federal agency, with recent approval ratings topping 90%.
Houston had the most dog attacks of postal workers in the country in 2019
1 city in the country when it comes to the most dog attacks reported by mail carriers, the U.S. The Bayou City recorded 85 dog attacks in 2019 while Dallas, ranked No. Texas ranks second overall with a total of 491 dog attacks statewide. Nationwide, dog attacks fell to 5,280 in 2019, which is 200 lower than 2018 according to the release. โWe are confident we can keep moving the trends of attacks downward, and ramping up overall awareness for everyone is the best way to do that.โUSPS will be highlighting postal worker safety next week as part of National Dog Biting Awareness Week, which is June 14-20.
Free USPS program will alert you when your stimulus check is coming
Postal Service offers a free service that can help. If you get a picture of an IRS envelope, you know it is likely your stimulus check. If their Informed Delivery notification shows you only received junk mail, thereโs no need to go out and pick it up. Once you sign up, the USPS says it typically takes about three business days to start receiving those notification emails. Not every address is eligible for Informed Delivery.
Postal worker paid for storage to hide mail he couldnโt โmake timeโ to deliver, officials say
Postal Service worker from Virginia admitted to officials that he was renting a storage unit to hide thousands of pieces of mail he could not โmake timeโ to deliver, federal authorities said. Jason Delacruz told agents with the Office of Inspector General that he felt โpressuredโ to deliver the mail but couldnโt โmake timeโ to finish his route. The mailman came under investigation by agents after a complaint stated Delacruz was seen unloading his USPS truck at a storage unit. Court documents reveal that Delacruz began to hide mail in late 2018. Delacruz said he rented the $49-per-month storage unit โfor the sole purpose of storing mail he could not deliver.โAccording to agents, Delacruz had intentions to deliver the mail but couldnโt catch up and was not able to do so.
New postage stamp depicts Big Bendโs Santa Elena Canyon
Coming soon to a package near you: A glimpse of Big Bend National Park. Postal Service has unveiled a new Priority Mail stamp depicting a scene familiar to many Texansโthe Rio Grande disappearing between the sheer cliff walls of Santa Elena Canyon. โThis is wonderful recognition for Big Bend National Park and a beautiful image of the iconic mouth of Santa Elena Canyon, one of the most scenic parts of the national park,โ Big Bend Superintendent Bob Krumenaker said. โItโs a nice capstone to the parkโs 75th anniversary, too.โBig Bend National Park celebrated its 75th birthday in 2019. Although he has never visited Big Bend National Park, Cosgrove says working on the stamp made him want to go.
Want your package to arrive by Christmas 2019? A guide to all your shipping deadlines
Postal ServiceDec. 14: USPS Retail Ground shipments โ Dec. 18: Alaska to mainland First-Class Mail โ Dec. 19: Hawaii to mainland First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, also Alaska Priority Mail โ *Thereโs still time for dates below! Dec. 20: First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 21: Priority Mail; Also deadline for Alaska and Hawaii to the mainland through Priority Mail ExpressDec. 23: Priority Mail ExpressTrying to send something overseas or to a member of the military? Click or tap here to check out the guide we followed from USPS, and to learn more about your mailing specifics and guidelines. FedExDec. 9: SmartPost โ Dec. 16: Ground and home delivery โ Dec. 19: Express Saver โ *Thereโs still time for the dates below! As for Amazon deadlines, youโre likely looking at Dec. 22 or Dec. 23, depending on if youโre a Prime member, where you live and what youโre ordering.