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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

NH rural towns face proposed postal delays in 2025

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Tuesday, December 31, 2024   

The Postmaster General has proposed reduced delivery days and other changes starting next year which could particularly affect rural New Hampshire.

In addition to "Forever" stamp price increases, residents farther than 50 miles from a regional processing center could experience at least a one-day delay in mail delivery.

Annie Norman, campaign manager for the Save the Post Office Coalition, said mail is a virtual lifeline for medicines and needed farming supplies.

"We're talking about seniors and veterans, folks with disabilities, Indigenous communities," Norman outlined. "They all need the Postal Service to pay bills and get their Social Security checks."

Adjusting mail pick-up and drop-off times between post offices and New Hampshire's two processing plants to lower transportation costs is another idea under consideration. The changes could save the agency $3 billion annually. The Postal Service relies on postage and product sales and services to fund its operations.

The Postal Service has faced declining mail volume due to more online services. Rising fuel costs for delivery trucks have hurt its bottom line, as well as competition from private delivery companies. Norman acknowledged the Postal Service knows its traditional mail delivery model is outdated and officials should find more revenue streams to stay afloat.

"No one in this country's asking for slower mail service at higher prices," Norman pointed out. "One way that they can expand the revenue of the Postal Service and dig themselves out of a hole is to focus on new revenue, through services like postal banking, to places that really need it."

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the average wage for a New Hampshire postal worker is nearly $57,000 a year. The agency is embracing partnerships with other package transport companies like Amazon to offer new services in hopes of generating additional dollars.


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