Ruralinfo.net

In Memoriam: Past NRLCA National Officer Leo Root 1943-2025

Past National Officer Leo Root passed away on July 22, 2025. He was born on July 23, 1943 and lived in Atkinson, NH. Leo began his career as a rural carrier in New Hampshire in 1975, and was appointed a local steward the very same year. The following year he became an area steward, was elected … Read more

‘It is our mission’: USPS has delivered where troops are for 250 years

For 250 years, wherever the U.S. military has gone, the United States Postal Service has followed — serving as a vital link between the front lines and the home front. As the Navy, Army and Marine Corps celebrate their 250th anniversaries this year, the USPS marked the same milestone last month — reflecting a shared … Read more

USPS has a new machine that can handle 7,000 packages an hour

The Postal Service has successfully completed testing a prototype package sorter that will enable the organization to increase its processing capacity and retire some of its older machines. The parallel induction linear sorter, or PILS, has been used for 10 months at the Dulles, VA, Processing and Distribution Center, where it has processed 12 million … Read more

Postal insurance program risks ‘operational failure’ due to OPM staffing shortages

Staffing vacancies and funding losses at the Office of Personnel Management are putting the near-new Postal Service Health Benefits program at risk of an “operational failure,” according to OPM’s inspector general office. A “flash” OIG audit report published earlier this month warned that OPM’s new health insurance program covering about 2 million Postal employees, annuitants … Read more

Trump will end the de minimis exemption for low-cost global shipments

President Donald Trump’s latest economic move is to halt the de minimis exemption, a provision that made international shipments of low-value items cheaper. When the exemption ends on August 29, shipments valued at or under $800 will be subject to duty fees when sent by any carrier other than the international postal network, no matter … Read more

National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association celebrates 250th anniversary of United States Postal Service

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) held a number of events over the past week, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The Shepherdstown Opera House served as the location for the NRLCA’s July 24 event on “Delivering America: The History and Impact of Rural Free Delivery.” According … Read more

UPS explores reuniting with Postal Service for Ground Saver

The service, which used to rely on the USPS before a breakup this year, posed challenges for UPS in Q2 due to higher-than-expected costs. UPS has “reengaged” with the U.S. Postal Service on a potential delivery arrangement for UPS Ground Saver, a service that once relied on the agency, CEO Carol Tomé said on an … Read more

OPM Tells Agencies to Allow ‘Religious Expression’ in Federal Workplace

OPM has told federal agencies that they are to “robustly” protect and enforce “each federal employee’s right to engage in religious expression in the federal workplace,” including through displays of religious items and, during work breaks, activities such as prayer and evangelizing—so long as it is not “harassing in nature.” “The Federal workforce should be … Read more