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05 Dec 2011 10:19

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U.S.: U.S. Postal Service: First-class mail could become second-day affair

  • bad The U.S. Postal Service, facing the worst financial crisis in its history, will likely be forced to shave $3 billion off its budget, in the process dropping half of the country’s 500 mail-processing centers. This would come on the closing of numerous post offices.
  • worse This is the kind of change that consumers will feel. For the first time since 1971, there would be no way for a first-class letter to reach its recipient in a single day. Which means your Netflix will be late and your rent check better get in the mail pretty early. source

02 Apr 2010 17:46

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Music: Lil’ Wayne from jail: Thanks, fans, for sticking behind me

Lil’ Wayne has been getting letters while in jail, and he has an official blog to respond to his fans so he doesn’t go crazy and can avoid getting shivved. Weezy thanks you. source

31 Mar 2010 09:48

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U.S.: Obama reads ten letters a day, but few this powerful

  • In the age of e-mails, Barack Obama still digs the printed letter. He gets thousands a day, but sets aside room to read ten of them. Jennifer Cline, a 27-year-old from Monroe, Mich. wrote one of the lucky ones that had her letter read by the president. Her note, which showed optimism of turning a corner in a situation fraught with adversity, was super-compelling. It’s freaking massive, but this Washington Post article will be the best thing you read today. Trust us. source

02 Mar 2010 09:43

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U.S.: The U.S. Postal Service sends a package labeled “drastic changes”

  • problem People are using the mail less to send letters due to e-mail, and more for stuff like packages and Netflix, causing volume to decline severely.
  • solution The U.S. Postal Service wants to hike fares (again), cut back delivery schedules, and – more importantly – cut service on Saturday. source

21 Nov 2009 12:19

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Offbeat: Dear Santa, give the postmaster a big gift for reversing his decision

  • We are so pleased that after hearing from our office, other Alaskans and Santa lovers everywhere, the Postal Service has agreed to continue this program.
  • U.S. Sen. Mark Begich • Regarding the continuation of the U.S. Postal Service’s Santa Claus letter program, which takes as many as 150,000 letters a year. It’s back on the menu, boys. Why was it nearly ended in the first place? Well, fear of child predators. Because someone had to set an example somewhere or something. The good guys 1, nanny state 0. source

01 Nov 2009 10:56

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Offbeat: Lord of the cha-ching! Lord Byron’s letters get record auction sum

  • $458,000 for dead poet’s words source

03 Aug 2009 20:18

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U.S.: Dead letter offices: The postal service wants to close some branches

  • 700 offices number of locations the post office wants to close source
 

25 May 2009 10:11

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Culture: Historic docs of the day: Military letters to pinup Donna Reed

Apparently, the star of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Donna Reed Show” was a huge inspiration for soldiers in WWII. Neat. source