People have become accustomed to regular increases in postage, but now the U.S. Postal Service is proposuing to close processing centers - a move that will delay the delivery of mail.
From the Los Angeles Times: "The U.S. Postal Service said a plan to save $2.1 billion a year and fend off possible bankruptcy would effectively put an end to almost all overnight delivery of first-class letters and postcards. Delivery would take at least two to three business days. ... The postal service's decision to relax delivery standards for first-class mail follows its determination in September to close 252 mail processing plants, about half its total. Altogether, about 28,000 employees would lose their jobs."
The list of mail processing plants includes sites across the country.
From Business Week: "Businesses that depend on mailing bills and receiving payments will be the most hurt by the change, said Max Heath, postal chairman of the National Newspaper Association, a trade group based in Falls Church, Virginia, and Columbia, Missouri. ... 'Business mailers are the ones that exist on float,' Heath, based in Shelbyville, Kentucky, said in a phone interview. 'This is a draconian decision. They say it’s necessary. It’s very unfortunate.' "
There are a number of great ways to localize this story.
Here's an example - "What will postal service cuts mean to you?" in a Q&A alternative story format - by the Canton Repository.
Be sure to talk with local businesses - service companies in particular - that rely on mail and fast payment for cash flow. What do they think of the possibility?
Talk with residents outside the local post office as well to add some reaction and color.
People have become accustomed to regular increases in postage, but now the U.S. Postal Service is proposuing to close processing centers - a move that will delay the delivery of mail.
From the Los Angeles Times: "The U.S. Postal Service said a plan to save $2.1 billion a year and fend off possible bankruptcy would effectively put an end to almost all overnight delivery of first-class letters and postcards. Delivery would take at least two to three business days. ... The postal service's decision to relax delivery standards for first-class mail follows its determination in September to close 252 mail processing plants, about half its total. Altogether, about 28,000 employees would lose their jobs."
The list of mail processing plants includes sites across the country.
From Business Week: "Businesses that depend on mailing bills and receiving payments will be the most hurt by the change, said Max Heath, postal chairman of the National Newspaper Association, a trade group based in Falls Church, Virginia, and Columbia, Missouri. ... 'Business mailers are the ones that exist on float,' Heath, based in Shelbyville, Kentucky, said in a phone interview. 'This is a draconian decision. They say it’s necessary. It’s very unfortunate.' "
There are a number of great ways to localize this story.
Here's an example - "What will postal service cuts mean to you?" in a Q&A alternative story format - by the Canton Repository.
Be sure to talk with local businesses - service companies in particular - that rely on mail and fast payment for cash flow. What do they think of the possibility?
Talk with residents outside the local post office as well to add some reaction and color.
