They're broke, getting increasingly obsolete, and now they're upping their prices: The U.S. Postal Service will raise postage prices in the new year. As of January, 22, 2012, the cost of a first-class stamp will go up a penny to 45 cents. Other postage rates will jump up, too. more ›

Angelenos, be friendly with your neighborhood U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmen and women. Come winter 2011, the organization will default unless Congress intervenes. more ›

Things are so tough at the United States Post Office that not only does it seem certain that Saturday mail delivery will end soon, but the Postmaster General himself fears that in 15 years "we'll be talking about delivering mail three days a week," reports USA Today. more ›

The national fiscal crisis may soon force the Unites States Postal Service to eliminate Saturday delivery, reports the Daily Breeze. Inching towards this goal today the USPS is seeking the independent Postal Regulatory Commission's opinion on the service change, and after that would need Congressional approval. The USPS says this will save them $3 billion a year, and reflects "a decade-long plan to eliminate losses and restore the agency to stability in the face of shrinking business." Post offices would remain open, however there would be no home or business delivery, or collection from blue mailboxes. more ›

As the United States Post Office seeks way to save money and "weather this storm," today a list of 677 branches were given to congress for review as possible closures. Only 200 are expected to close and a number are listed in the Los Angeles area, but none within the city limits, according to the LA Times. more ›

Starting today it's going to cost you more to snail mail your letters, cards, postcards and bills, KTLA.com reminds mailers. Today "the price of a first-class stamp will increase two cents to 44-cents. Forever stamps can still be used without an additional 2-cent stamp, regardless of when they were purchased." Other changes include a bump of postcard stamps from "1 cent to 28 cents, the first ounce of a large envelope will increase 5 cents to 88 cents and the first ounce of a parcel will increase 5 cents to $1.22." The rate increases are meant to help the Post Office cope with rising operational costs, and "are in line with the amount of inflation," according to Postmaster General John Potter. more ›

"I will not send lard through the mail," Bart Simpson once wrote on the blackboard as an after school punishment. That's okay, the United States Post Office has forgiven him. Today, the Simpson family was honored as the first television show featured in a stamp set while still airing on primetime. In fact, this is their 20th year, making the show the longest-running comedy in TV history. That's an impressive feat. And consider this: out of the the 50,000 suggestions the Service receives each year, only about 20 actually become stamps. Good job Matt Groening and crew! And now let's reminisce when LA had a few true Kwik-E-Marts... more ›

It's a day of reckoning, a day of doom, and, for a lucky few with refunds due, a day of joy. Be it what it may, today is Tax Day, and if you are a procrastinator, you might be just putting the finishing touches on your 1040 and getting ready to sign that payment check. If you aren't submitting your taxes online, rest assured there are a few post offices in the area who are ready to handle your last-minute (and we mean last minute!) tax-mailing needs. The USPS is keeping a handful of locations open until midnight so they can collect and postmark your taxes, including Airport Station near LAX, the Pasadena Main Post Office, and the Van Nuys Main Post Office. You can call 1-800-ASK-USPS to find out about the hours of your nearest Post Office, or check a complete listing of extended hours and service limits online here. Happy Tax Day! more ›

Hollywood resident and Metblogs writer David Markland got a hold of some apartment security footage showing an unidentified women entering the grounds and acting suspicious. Later, some residents reported that their mail was opened. Apparently, there has been a string of thefts in the neighborhood--one local heard a clank on their mailbox and saw this woman with her bicycle and fugly uggs when they stepped outside. Both incidents happened northwest of the Hollywood and Highland area. more ›

One way to avoid being out in the rain today: Stand in line at your local post office with everyone else. Today just happens to be the busiest mailing day of the year, as folks flock to their favorite USPS outpost to send off cards and packages in hopes they'll reach their destinations in time for the holidays. According to cbs2.com, "about 1.5 billion cards, letters and packages are expected to be processed today alone, which is nearly double the average daily volume of traffic." Your letter carrier will experience their heaviest load of the year come Wednesday. Headed to the Post Office today? If you've got a favorite one that's less crowded than most (I do, and I'm not telling you which one!) maybe you'd best go the Scrooge route and keep it to yourself. Happy mailing! more ›

As the postal worker delivered mail yesterday to businesses along Sunset Blvd., he apologized to Joe Keeper of Bar Keeper for not delivering mail on Saturday. He said that Sunset Junction Street Festival security and staff would not let him inside the festival, even with his USPS issued ID and uniform, to deliver mail to the businesses, according to Keeper. more ›

Oh no, it's tax day. If you're one of those who is uber organized, then you're relaxing today, probably already with a cold one in your hand, laughing at all the hurry worries running around you panting, sweating, wanting that federal tax refund to come soon. more ›

At least two people were injured when a car crashed into a Burbank post office today at noon near Hollywood Way and Empire Avenue reported KCBS. Both victims were taken to a hospital. more ›

The United States Postal Service furthered its efforts to embrace new, green technologies this week, even as these technologies eat away at the USPS' age-old business model of letter delivery. more ›