Saturday mail delivery

The U.S Postal Service reported a $3.5 billion third quarter loss due to continued declines in mail volume and increased costs from retiree health benefits. Without help from Congress and a postage rate increase, it could run out of cash in 2011.

Fourteen months after the last price hike, the USPS has proposed a two-cent increase in the cost of first-class postage, which would push the stamp to 46 cents. If approved, the new price would be effective Jan. 2, 2011. Still, the higher rate won't fix what really ails the service.