U.S. Postal Service Delays Rural Closings

• {Washington, D.C.}...The U.S. Postal Service has agreed to delay rural post office closings and distribution center consolidations for six months. West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller says the move temporarily protects tens of thousands of jobs, including more than 160 in West Virginia. It also preserves service for customers. Rockefeller and 21 fellow senators had asked for the delay, and this week, the Postal Service agreed to hold off until at least May 15th. It's considering ending overnight delivery and closing 3,700 mostly rural post offices and 252 mail processing facilities nationwide. That includes 150 post offices and eight processing centers in West Virginia. Rockefeller says the cuts would slow or even stop service for dozens of neighborhoods, and Congress should help the Postal Service solve its financial problems.