California brothers defrauded over $2 million from U.S. Postal Service in intricate scheme

Two Southern California brothers defrauded over $2 million from U.S. Postal Service

From the article: "...Anwer Fareed Alam, 36, and Yousofzay Fahim Alam, 34, both from Riverside County, carried out the yearslong scheme through an insurance fraud operation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

From October 2016 to May 2019, the brothers purchased Priority Mail packages and postages that included $100 in insurance for lost or damaged parcel contents.

Anwer wrapped either empty packages or packages...

"

Article Reference: ktla.com
Intricate Scheme,Priority Mail,Fraud, Insurance Fraud (postal insurance), Insurance for lost or damaged parcel contents (USPS),

Call this number to get USPS facility information during an emergency

Call this number to get USPS facility information during an emergency

From the article: "The national hotline offers up-to-date information ...The toll-free number, found on the back of most USPS employee badges, is 888-EMERGNC ( 888-363-7462 ). After dialing the number, you will be prompted to enter the first three digits of the ZIP Code where you work. Information specific to operations in your work area will then be relayed. ..."

Article Reference: news.usps.com
NOTE: For the Postal Attendance Call in Number and Procedure

PSHB virtual seminar is October 31

PSHB virtual seminar is October 31

From the article: "...USPS employees and annuitants may participate in an upcoming virtual seminar on the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program. The session will be held Thursday, Oct. 31, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern and from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern. PSHB — which takes effect in 2025 — is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. ...Employees can also receive updates by texting “PSHBP” to 39369."

Article Reference: news.usps.com
PSHB virtual seminar is October 31,Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB),

A carrier found a woman who had fallen while gardening

A carrier found a woman who had fallen while gardening

From the article: "...Letter Carrier Adam Benincosa was delivering mail recently in Roy, UT, when he spotted a customer in distress. The woman, Sherry Jarvis, was lying on the ground of her front yard and frantically waving and calling out for help. She had been stranded for hours but was unable to catch anyone’s attention...."

Article Reference: news.usps.com

OPM Issues Toolkit on Religious Discrimination

OPM Issues Toolkit on Religious Discrimination

From the article: "What should I do if I need a change in my work schedule to attend a religious ceremony?...Can my employer require me to remove religious items from my workspace? What do I do if someone makes fun of my religious belief? ... They also detail responsibilities of the employee and employer when it comes to religious beliefs and a reasonable accommodation. ..."

Article Reference: www.afge.org
Religious Discrimination, Reasonable accommodation, Religious accommodation,

Federal investigation underway as packages go missing at Hilo post office

Federal investigation underway as packages go missing at Hilo post office

From the article: "...HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Frustrated business owners say they’re out thousands of dollars after packages dropped off at Hilo’s main post office keep vanishing. HNN Investigates spoke to two small business owners who said it’s been a problem they’ve struggled with more than a year. Fed up with missing mail, the owner of Kahua Aina took to social media to see if anyone else was having trouble. Jordan Camara soon realized she was not alone. ..."

Article Reference: www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Postal Police frustrated by crimes affecting carriers

Postal Police frustrated by crimes affecting carriers

From the article: "...MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Postal Police officers say they want to help curb crime but are limited. The union president believes a recent robbery could lead to even more problems.

Frank Albergo leads the National Postal Police Officers Union.

“We can make a difference in a city where there are Postal Police like Memphis,” Albergo said.

Postal Police officers are the uniformed division of the postal service stationed at major postal facilities as security.

..."

Article Reference: www.aol.com
Postal Police Workforce,Crime,postal facilities as security,

Union Elementary students act as postal workers

Union Elementary students act as postal workers

From the article: "...On Sept. 25, students celebrated the kick-off of the 2024-25 school mail service. During the event, four students were honored as the winners of a stamp design competition. The winning designs will be featured on school stamps used by students and family members to send letters to Union Elementary students, faculty and staff. Winners Sarah Conrad, Catarina Godinho, Alana Russell and Addison True were awarded a certificate and will have their designs displayed in a gallery of previous years’ winners. During the celebration, second-grade students learned about the U.S. Postal Service and were sworn in as honorary mail carriers by school resource officer Joe Robinson. ..."

Article Reference: youarecurrent.com

The Flower Letters follow the romance of a fictional World War II couple

The Flower Letters follow the romance of a fictional World War II couple

From the article: "...A Utah couple has created a successful business using the mail to regale subscribers with a romance set during World War II.

Hannie and Michael Clark launched the Flower Letters in August 2020, telling the fictional story of Audrey Rose Drollinger and Cpl. Charlie Henderson Burke.

At first, there were 38 subscribers who followed the romance..."

Article Reference: news.usps.com
The Flower Letters

Oregon's Senators urge Postal Service to halt consolidation plan

Oregon's Senators urge Postal Service to halt consolidation plan

From the article: "...Oregon’s U.S. Senators are calling on the Postal Service to stop efforts to consolidate mail processing. Democrats Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley rallied with workers in front of a Springfield post office Tuesday. Merkley, as well as union leaders, said they were concerned that sending mail to Portland instead of processing it locally was causing delays. “Mail has to go hundreds of miles to a processing center just to be reorganized and sent to your next door neighbor,” he said. ..."

Article Reference: www.klcc.org

Postal Workers Hold Nationwide 'Day of Action' Oct. 1 in 90 Cities to Promote Vote-by-Mail, Demand First-Class Service Year-Round

Postal Workers Hold Nationwide 'Day of Action' Oct. 1 in 90 Cities to Promote Vote-by-Mail, Demand First-Class Service Year-Round

From the article: "...On Tues., Oct. 1 postal workers who are members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) will be rallying with the public in front of postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about the United States Postal Service’s substandard performance and service to communities. Rallies are planned in 90 cities..."

Article Reference: apwu.org
Unions,APWU,'Day of Action' Oct. 1 2024,postal news,

St. Mary’s County Postal Worker Charged with Stealing Checks Worth Over $84,000 From Delivery Route

St. Mary’s County Postal Worker Charged with Stealing Checks Worth Over $84,000 From Delivery Route

From the article: "...Darian Smith, employed as a rural carrier associate purchased new Ford Mustang A United States Postal Service (USPS) employee in California, Maryland, has been charged with multiple federal offenses following allegations of mail theft and check fraud. Darian Smith, employed as a rural carrier associate at the California Post Office, is accused of stealing checks from mail along his route and depositing them into his personal bank account...."

Article Reference: smnewsnet.com

Georgia leaders warn of mail delivery delays affecting absentee ballots

Georgia leaders warn of mail delivery delays affecting absentee ballots

From the article: "...Georgia’s county election officers joined several dozen of their counterparts from across the nation this month who are raising serious concerns about the U.S. Postal Service’s ability to properly deliver absentee ballots on time in the Nov. 5 general election. ..."

Article Reference: roughdraftatlanta.com

Alabama | Investigating a stark rise in mail theft

Alabama | Investigating a stark rise in mail theft

From the article: "There has been a significant increase in mail theft, which has raised concerns in Alabama and...In the months before she got her money back, she battled with Social Security and her banks and almost could not retrieve the money for her grandchild's college fund. She said she was unsure what she would have done without her savings at Redstone Federal Credit Union...."

Article Reference: www.waaytv.com
Mail Theft Increases

Election officials warn U.S. Postal Service may delay mail-in voting

Election officials warn U.S. Postal Service may delay mail-in voting

From the article: "...Local and state election officials are warning the U.S. Postmaster General about systemic issues in the postal service as more Americans prepare to cast their ballots by mail in this election. ..."

Article Reference: www.cnn.com
delay of mail,Ballot Mail,2024 Presidential Election,

USPS Informed Delivery to get its own app

USPS Informed Delivery to get its own app

From the article: "The Postal Service plans to introduce a standalone USPS Informed Delivery app later this year. ...USPS Informed Delivery is a free feature that allows customers to preview their incoming letter-size mail and manage their package deliveries. Customers can access USPS Informed Delivery notifications from their email, on usps.com and through the USPS Mobile app. ..."

Article Reference: news.usps.com
Informed Delivery, USPS Apps,

Postal service raising prices right before holidays: How much more will you pay

Postal service raising prices right before holidays: How much more will you pay

From the article: "...a temporary price change for some services before the busiest shipping season of the year. The temporary adjustment to designed to “help cover extra handling costs..."

Article Reference: www.al.com
Temporary Rate Increase (Christmas USPS Rate Increase), 2024, extra handling costs (USPS), Inflation (USPS),

‘Not surprised but greatly disappointed’: Congressional reps address Houston’s ongoing mail delays

‘Not surprised but greatly disappointed’: Congressional reps address Houston’s ongoing mail delays

From the article: "...KPRC 2 is still receiving complaints. A paralegal from northern Virginia reached out to us and said this facility led to her missing a crucial deadline in a federal bankruptcy case in Houston. After covering her story Thursday, we heard from several viewers who are dealing with similar problems. ... “Texans and Americans count on the United Postal Service every day, and it’s downright frustrating when they fail to deliver. Over the past few years, I’ve been in constant contact with them, relaying constituents concerns and pressing them to tackle mail delays as soon as they occur. We hope the postal service can get its act together before we face another nightmare like we saw in January.”"

Article Reference: www.click2houston.com

PSHB virtual seminar TODAY

PSHB virtual seminar TODAY

From the article: "...USPS employees and annuitants may participate in an upcoming virtual seminar on the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.

The session will be held Thursday, Sept. 5, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern and from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern.

PSHB — which takes effect in 2025 — is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

USPS employees, annuitants, and eligible family members are required to enroll in this new program. ..."

Article Reference: news.usps.com
PSHB virtual seminar

US Postal Service to Release ‘Hanukkah Forever’ Stamp

US Postal Service to Release ‘Hanukkah Forever’ Stamp

From the article: "...The U.S. Postal Service has announced a “Hanukkah Forever” stamp to commemorate the eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights.”... A first day of issue dedication ceremony will take place on Sept. 19 ... Get the First Day Cover HERE"

Article Reference: vinnews.com
“Hanukkah Forever” stamp, First Day Cover, Stamp Collecting,

Businesses report impact from slow USPS service

Businesses report impact from slow USPS service

From the article: "...BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Downtown Bryan business owners have reported a lack of mail delivery and pickups in the area.

Debbie Jasek, the owner of Brazos Glassworks, says they have increasingly relied on online sales to expand their reach but the United States Postal Services have put a wrench in her small business.

“We have had the reputation of being able to provide [customers] with what they need in a timely manner and that all goes into Jeopardy when the post office breaks down,” she said.

Jasek says she’s been sitting around for days sometimes with dozens of packages scheduled for daily pickups that aren’t coming.

“Even though I had requested to pick up for both of those days. ...

Article Reference: www.kbtx.com

APWU | 2024 Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period

APWU | 2024 Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period

From the article: "...The "Penalty Overtime Exclusion" period for calendar year 2024 will begin Pay Period 26-2024, Week 1 (November 30, 2024) and end Pay Period 01-2025, Week 2 (December 27, 2024). ..."

Article Reference: apwu.org
Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period 2024,2024,APWU,

Read It Before Liberal Media Has it Removed | Mail-in ballots raise security questions and worries about USPS delays in Kansas

Mail-in ballots raise security questions and worries about USPS delays in Kansas

From the article: "...Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab is protecting the integrity of our elections and has rightly advised voters against mailing ballots. ..."

Article Reference: www.cjonline.com
Mail-in ballots raise security questions

USPS offers update on election efforts | The organization outlines plans to repeat its 2020 and 2022 successes

USPS offers update on election efforts | The organization outlines plans to repeat its 2020 and 2022 successes

From the article: "...USPS officials also said that the organization will implement extraordinary measures from Oct. 21 to Nov. 15 to make sure mail-in ballots are delivered close to or on Election Day or by a state’s ballot return deadline. This includes additional pickups, extra deliveries and employing special features on processing equipment to expedite and enhance ballot delivery. “Since late last year, the Postal Service has met regularly with stakeholders across the Election Mail landscape, including state and local election administrators; postal unions and management associations; federal agencies and Congress; the mailing industry; and nongovernmental organizations,” said Adrienne Marshall, the Postal Service’s election and government mail services director. The Postal Inspection Service also described its plans to ensure the secure delivery of all mail-in ballots. ..."

Article Reference: usps.com