WASHINGTON — The Semipostal Authorization Act, Pub. L. 106–253, grants the U.S. Postal Service discretionary authority to issue and sell semipostal stamps to advance such causes as it considers to be ‘‘in the national public interest and appropriate.’’ The U.S. Postal Service announced that in November it will issue the first of five semipostal stamps.

U.S. Postal Service Recommended Mailing Dates

U.S. Postal Service Recommended Mailing Dates

WASHINGTON — The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but many people miss loved ones who are stationed overseas as military or diplomatic members. While the holidays are a hard time to be away from home, the U.S. Postal Service makes it a priority that those serving their country will receive their presents, care packages and cards in time for the holidays — no matter where they may be.

WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today of price changes to take effect Jan. 21, 2018. The new prices, if approved, include a one cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 49 cents to 50 cents.

CHICAGO, IL — Retail services at Chicago Post Offices will be closed on Monday, October 9th in recognition of Columbus Day.

ILLINOIS/WISCONSIN — Retail services at Post Offices throughout Illinois and Wisconsin will be closed on Monday, October 9th in recognition of Columbus Day. There will be no mail delivery, caller service or Post Office Box service. All services will resume on Tuesday, October 10th. Post Offices will be open regularly scheduled hours on Saturday, October 7th.

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post previewed The History of Hockey stamps that will be dedicated Oct. 20 and available nationwide that day.

NEW YORK CITY — The U.S. Postal Service will begin celebrating the Holiday season tomorrow with four new Forever stamps featuring images that illustrate the themes of four beloved Christmas carols: “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night” and “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.”

BROOKLYN, NY — Tomorrow, the U.S. Postal Service showcases the work of Ezra Jack Keats’ most beloved story, The Snowy Day, on Forever stamps. Written and illustrated by the celebrated children’s author, it was one of the first prominent 20th-century picture books devoted to an African-American child.