“Sofia The First: Once Upon a Princess” Disney Channel Movie Premiere and Storybook Launch at Walt Disney Studios

On November 10, 2012, Disney Channel presents the Movie Premiere and Storybook Launch for “Sofia The First: Once Upon a Princess” at the Walt Disney Studio Main Theatre located at 500 S. Buena Vista Street, in Burbank, California. The animated Disney television movie will air November 18, 2012 on Disney Channel and November 22, 2012 on Disney Junior.

Walt Disney introduces a little princess. Sofia is an average girl whose life suddenly changes when her mother marries the king and she becomes princess. Sofia discovers looking like a princess isn’t all difficult. She displays honesty, courage, independence, compassion and grace. Helping her on her journey were the three headmistresses of Royal Prep Academy- Fauna, Flora, and Merryweather.

At 10:00 a.m., excitement filled the air, when the actors and actresses walked the red carpet with their family. Some of the children seemed shy at first, but then later felt more comfortable. They seem to be enjoying themselves. The three headmistresses escorted some of the actors and actresses, down the carpet for photographers to get a group picture. They were very delighted and happy.

(To view regular size please click on the photos).

Starring as the voice of Sofia is Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”); Sara Ramirez (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady (“Let’s Make A Deal”) is Clover; Tim Gunn (“Project Runway”) is Baileywick; Darcy Rose Byrnes (“Desperate Housewives”) is Amber; Zach Callison (“Land of the Lost”) is James; Travis Willingham (“Ultimate Spider-Man”) is King Roland II; Jess Harnell (“Doc McStuffins”) is Cedric; Ashley Eckstein (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) is Mia the Bluebird and Meghan Strange (“Special Agent Oso”) is Robin. Disney Legend Russi Taylor (Minnie Mouse), Barbara Dirickson and Tress MacNeille (Daisy Duck), bring Fauna, Flora and Merryweather, respectively, to life. Jennifer Hale provides the voice of Cinderella.

Additional guests such as: Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (Lily from “Modern Family”), Jason Lee (“Up All Night”), Lou Diamond Phillips(“Longmire”), Ming-Na (“E.R.”), Angela Bassett (“E.R.”) Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio, Joey Lawrence (“Melissa and Joey”),Constance Marie (“Switched at Birth”), Chad Lowe (“Pretty Little Liars”), Tiffani Thiessen (“White Collar”), Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210″), Isabella Cramp (ABC’s “The Neighbors”), Rachel Eggleston (ABC’s “How to Live with Your Parents”), Rob Corddry (“Children’s Hospital”), Chloe Noelle (“True Blood”), Samantha Harris (“Stars Earn Stripes” co-host), among other walked the red carpet to support the premier.


After the red carpet walk, all who attended got to view the movie. Disney always presents great pictures and cartoons, so this movie will be a great adventure for all to enjoy.

The movie and series were developed by Craig Gerber (“Pixie Hollow Games”) who also wrote the movie and serves as co-executive producer. Jamie Mitchell (“Special Agent Oso”) is executive producer and director. John Kavanaugh (“Winnie The Pooh: Springtime with Roo”) serves as songwriter/music director and Kevin Kliesch (“Tangled Ever After”) is the composer. “Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess” is a production of Disney Television Animation. It carries a TV-Y parental guideline.

Source: disneychannelmedianet.com
Photos credit to: Stella Gomez from Disco Stella’s Pics for Diversity News Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Please do not download (YOU CAN SHARE LINK) this photos because they are copyrighted. You need to ask permission from the photographer or Diversity News Magazine at Editor@diversitynewsmagazine.com

Girls Today Woman Tomorrow Inner-City Leadership and Mentoring Program Celebrates Graduates’ Accomplishments

100% of the program’s high school seniors will attend 4-year universities.

On Tuesday, July 3, 2012 Girls Today Woman Tomorrow announced that with the 2011/2012 program year of the Girls Today Women Tomorrow (GTWT) Leadership Mentoring Program coming to a close, the staff, Board of Directors and mentors congratulate the young ladies who will be attending universities across California, such as UC Davis, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Los Angeles, UC Merced, Loyola Marymount, Mills and Mount St. Mary’s College. Scholarship highlights include Jasmine Soto, who received $10,000 from the Variety Boys and Girls Club to attend UC Davis, and Lizbeth Rojas, who was honored with a full, 4-year scholarship to Loyola Marymount – including tuition, room and board. In a community with more than 50% of students failing to graduate from high school, and only 5% of adults holding college degrees, these young ladies truly stand out.

As the GTWT graduates move on to the next stage of their lives, the organization enters a new phase as well. The Board of Directors took over the program and appointed Co-Interim Executive Directors Yobana Cordero and Anita Garcia Velasco. “The GTWT Board of Directors is committed to continuing its role as a leader in the non-profit community providing high quality leadership mentoring programs for youth in Boyle Heights,” says Anita Garcia Velasco, GTWT Co-Interim Executive Director, “the youth of GTWT will continue to make outstanding contributions as young leaders in their local community.”

About Girls Today Woman Tomorrow:
Since 1997, GTWT has inspired young ladies to reach their full potential by empowering them to finish high school, earn college degrees, and give back to their community as young leaders. During the 2011/2012 program year, the organization has served more than 200 youth from the community of Boyle Heights – with one-on-one mentoring, and activities including college campus tours, health and nutrition seminars, and community service projects.

Girls Today Women Tomorrow is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please consider supporting our ongoing work to build leadership with a donation in any amount. Donations can be sent to GTWT, 1505 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033. For more information visit http://www.gtwt.org

Photo credit to: Girls Today Woman Tomorrow
Source: Girls Today Woman Tomorrow

Review of D’Angelo The Resurrection at House of Blues 4th of July 2012 Fireworks Concert

Special Story by Daood aka Soul Detective, Contributor for Diversity News Magazine.
Whether crooning in his baritone or escaping into his falsetto like a thief in the night, stealing women hearts with classics, “Feel Like Making Love,” or new material, “Another Life,” D’Angelo is R&B’s Elijah.

“When I die I hope to be, the kind of man that you thought I be…” lyrics of a gospel-style arrangement by D’Angelo brought a volley of cheers. The genesis of Wednesday’s 4^th of July spectacular sunset strip performance at, “The House of Blues.”

While his appearance not exactly the infamous video untitled (How Does it feel) it didn’t keep one damsel who didn’t appear to be in distress from throwing a balled up bill on to the stage. A brief moment causing my mind to race back to an article about his voodoo tour. In which D’Angelo angrily picked up the money and threw it backatcha. But not tonight, even though pausing to turn around to see where the money landed, D’Angelo exhilarated an artist born again. Whether a slice of the “Devil’s Pie,” from the voodoo album or you’re my “Lady,” from Brown Sugar debut cd, the experience was Pentecostal.

While D’Angelo is an accomplished pianist, his new musical acquaintance appears to be a black trimmed in white customized Diablo guitar. From D’Angelo there was no guitar solos reminiscent of Mr. Hendrix tonight; but the cover of Parliament-Funkadelic “I been watching You,” had D’Angelo along with formerly “The Time,” guitarist Jesse Johnson, interplaying a groove Jimi would have applauded.

After performing several songs including the new rock-oriented cut “Aint That Easy,” D’Angelo and 9 members of his band left the stage leaving only two keyboard players. A brief interlude between keyboard players started out as a classical style composition evolving into a Sci-Fi outerspace message? It was over and now a couple of roadies moved D’Angelo’s keyboard from the side of the stage to front and center; performing a medley of songs D’Angelo’s has the audience captivated; from “Brown Sugar, “Higher,” to “One Mo Gin,”  a crowd expressing tears as well as joy.

With the band now back on stage the audience joined in as they did all night with “Send It On.” D’Angelo gave a riveting performance of track six from his debut cd Brown Sugar; continuing to bounce between the old and the new cuts such as “Charade,”and “SugarDaddy which by for is as intoxicating as your favorite bottle of wine.

D’Angelo closed the show with a uptempo rendition of “Brown Sugar. It was “Sly And The Family of Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince and others that the Richmond, Virginia born artist pays homage through his music; championing the music of the past with his new songs being the future, presently R&B has another savior…D’Angelo.

About D’Angelo: Michael Eugene Archer^[1][2][3] (born February 11, 1974), better known by hisstage name D’Angelo, is an American R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter,multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities, and often draws comparisons to his influences, Marvin Gaye, and Prince. D’Angelo was one of the most influential artists during the rise of the neo-soul movement. For more information about D’Angelo visit his IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0195248/?ref=atw

Photos credit to: © Timothy Norris/D’Angelo Funk Connection Facebook Fan Page & Daood Obaid Aka Soul Detective.
Source: Wikipedia

Diversity News Magazine – July 2012 Events Calendar Page

Diversity News Magazine Presents July 2012 Events Calendar Page.

A page dedicated to give back to the community for real and legit charity events in Southern California and abroad.
To view the information you need to click on the event poster/picture, also take a moment to read our Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar Page Disclaimer.
(Note: Please mention you SAW it on Diversity News Magazine. This page will be updated weekly, so come back again).

Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar Disclaimer: Diversity News Publications and Diversity News Magazine Website Events Calendar Page are provided as a public community service and are subject to the Diversity News Magazine Disclaimer. Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar Page on Diversity News Magazine are dynamic and will change over time without notice. Users of these Diversity News Magazine Calendar Events Page listings are therefore fully responsible for checking for themselves the accuracy, completeness, currency and suitability of the events posted in the Events Calendar Page. The posting of events in the Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar Page listings do not constitute an endorsement of the events by the Diversity News Magazine, Diversity News Publications or Diversity News Publications Networks and The Diversity News Publications Family of Companies. The Diversity News Publications Network reserves the right to refuse to post any event at any time. In addition, the Diversity News Publications Community Network may suspend or discontinue some or all of this public service at any time. For any questions regarding event submission, submission status, or to make corrections to a current event, please contact Diversity News Magazine. You can email us at info@diversitynewsmagazine.com or telephone (213) 321-9408 and if you would like toadvertise please email us at: advertise@diversitynewsmagazine.com. Remember to MENTION THE YOU SAW THE EVENT LISTED ON Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications. Thank you.

Breaking News: Statement by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power regarding Mammoth Creek Water Issues

High Priced Public Relations Campaign Run by LA Firm Attempts to “Snow” the Public & Media.

On Friday, June 29, 2012 that Los Angeles Department of Water & Power General Manager Ronald O. Nichols released the following statement today regarding an article in the LA Times concerning the town of Mammoth Lakes & Mammoth Creak Water District:

The Mammoth Creek Water District has retained consultants to undertake an intensive and costly public relations campaign to cast the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) as attempting to deny the Town of Mammoth Lakes a water supply from Mammoth Creek.  This is simply not true.  A story reported in today’s Los Angeles Times repeats many of the baseless arguments set forth by lobbyists and public relations consultants hired by Mammoth Creek Water District (MCWD) at public expense, and I am very concerned that the public is being misled and has been misinformed as to the basic facts.  LADWP is in no way attempting to deny water to the Town of Mammoth Lakes and has communicated to MCWD staff and Board that we are ready and willing to work with them to find a solution.


Here are the facts on the issues involving LADWP and MCWD:

For the past a decade, LADWP has expressed its concerns to MCWD regarding water diversions from Mammoth Creek. Over the last year, LADWP and MCWD officials have been negotiating to find a mutually acceptable way of sharing the water of Mammoth Creek while not harming the water customers and ratepayers of Los Angeles. Those talks have consistently failed to produce results.

We believe the reason for the failure to reach an agreement is that so far, the MCWD is unwilling to do what is provided for by water rights laws and protocols of the State of California.  LADWP has held the senior water rights on Mammoth Creek since 1905.  That water flows to Owens River, and is a part of the water supply to Los Angeles.  Water from Mammoth Creek used by MCWD to meet local needs can be replaced by LADWP by purchasing more water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD).  Water rights laws and protocols provide for LADWP to make that substitution to enable the Mammoth water district to meet local needs, which LADWP has repeatedly expressed we are willing to do.  However, there is no obligation for LADWP to make that substitution and charge our customers to provide free water to MCWD.  To view this otherwise is to ignore the very foundation of water rights laws in California.  We believe that MCWD knows its position is groundless and has undertaken a public relations campaign to camouflage that fact.

LADWP had not pressed this issue legally, believing that a fair solution could be reached.  However, when MCWD sought to update its Urban Water Management Plan to allow the resort community to increase its water use by 50% in the future by using LADWP’s water source, we were forced to ask a judge to protect the interests of Los Angeles’ water customers who pay LADWP water rates.  LADWP has been accused of making a “water grab” but that is simply not the case.

Even though LADWP has taken legal steps required to protect our water rights, at the same time we have also been clear that we are prepared to continue our long-running negotiations with MCWD, in the hope that a compromise can be reached.  In fact, recent conversations, not reported in the Times story, have been very positive, and.  LADWP and MCWD staff have been quietly working together to look for a suitable resolution that would enable LADWP to retain its water while meeting the needs of MCWD.

It is important to note that even if other supplies cannot be found and Mammoth customers were asked to pay for the water purchased and paid for by Los Angeles’ residents, under the worst-case scenario average Mammoth customers would see their monthly water bills increase from about $24 to $35 – while the same amount of water currently costs a Los Angeles customer about $43 a month.  In other words, LADWP’s rates would still be about 25% higher than the rates enjoyed by Mammoth’s residents, businesses and resorts.  LADWP has over 300,000 qualified low-income and senior citizen customers who would continue to pay more for their water than customers pay in in Mammoth Lakes even if MCWD compensated for the LADWP water that it is diverting.  Los Angeles water customers cannot continue to subsidize Mammoth’s water bills.   We believe there are solutions that enable alternatives other than simply reimbursing LADWP for the water that MCWD is using and we remain actively engaged with MCWD to collaboratively find such a solution.

I want to reiterate that LADWP has no intention, nor any desire to deprive the citizens of Mammoth of water.  No amount of misinformed public relations efforts can change these facts.  We remain willing to work out a solution that will ensure adequate and affordable water supplies to the community of Mammoth Lakes on a sustained and fair basis and we stand ready to work with MCWD to resolve this issue.

Source: LADWP Public Affairs
Graphic credit to: LADWP

Featuring Brazilia Moda Editor In Chief from BBW Beauties Magazine

As you may know Diversity News Magazine was born and founded by Diversity News Publications to showcase Diversity. Not sure if you have take a minute to learn about our mission, values and purpose.

The purpose of Diversity News Magazine is to educate and inform its diverse community world wide and focusing on local, national, and international News, Entertainment, Features, Sports and, more importantly, newsworthy items that would be of interest to our audience.

Now we want to introduce a person that also believes in Diversity by contributing to our society via her own independent media outlet BBW Beauties Magazine.

Brazilia Moda started her career as a Plus Size Model and Motivational Speaker who has been in the industry for several years. She have appeared on several talk shows which include Ricky Lake, Geraldo Rivera, Mark Walberg and Carnie Wilson.

She has been on the Tyra Banks show, Pa Lante Con Christina. Also modeled for Goddess, Miss Anna Fashion and Fashion Bug in New York City and Florida.

Brazilia also co-hosted WEXY1040 Radio program on Wednesday for 2 years in Florida. She was able to be on the same billboard of Christian event where Michael English was the featured singer and Brazilia as their comedian for there event.

She is From Brooklyn, New York, the city that never sleeps. She has worked hard to spread her Message of Self Confidence, body postive and loving who you are.

Brazilia Moda is the Editor In Chief of BBW Beauties Magazine that focus on fashion for the fuller figure, makeup, healthy lifestyle and a positive self esteem to  give women the tools to build confidence & self-worth. She feels that one should love who they are.

She started BBW Beauties Magazine to deal with some of the concern’s and issues that the curvy women have and to share some fabulous fashion that flatters the fuller figure and for some to share their story, concerns and inspirational moments in life. She have had the great pleasure of having some great women be cover models, such as hit recording artist Fawn, a wonderful singer with a heart of gold, Doria Pagnotta from Jersey Louis, an amazing women, Fatima Parker, Gwen Devoe plus so many other fabulous women who a a great positive influence to so many women and girls.

All of the women who have shared their stories have had such a great influence to their readers and have helped some many in not giving up on their dreams and to stand tall for who they are.

 Source: BBW Beauties Magazine
Photo credit to: Brazilia Moda

Editor’s Note: Congratulations to Brazilia Moda for been featured on our #1 award winning publication.

Diversity News Magazine – June 2012 Events Calendar Page

We are back again with  Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar.

Diversity News Magazine Presents June 2012 Events Calendar Page. A page dedicated to give back to the community for real and legit charity events in Southern California and abroad.
To view the information you need to click on the event poster/picture, also take a moment to read our Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar Page Disclaimer.
(Note: Please mention you SAW it on Diversity News Magazine. This page will be updated weekly, so come back again).

Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar Disclaimer:
Diversity News Publications and Diversity News Magazine Website Events Calendar Page are provided as a public community service and are subject to the Diversity News Magazine Disclaimer.
Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar Page on Diversity News Magazine are dynamic and will change over time without notice. Users of these Diversity News Magazine Calendar Events Page listings are therefore fully responsible for checking for themselves the accuracy, completeness, currency and suitability of the events posted in the Events Calendar Page.
The posting of events in the Diversity News Magazine Events Calendar Page listings do not constitute an endorsement of the events by the Diversity News Magazine, Diversity News Publications or Diversity News Publications Networks and The Diversity News Publications Family of Companies. The Diversity News Publications Network reserves the right to refuse to post any event at any time.
In addition, the Diversity News Publications Community Network may suspend or discontinue some or all of this public service at any time.
For any questions regarding event submission, submission status, or to make corrections to a current event, please contact Diversity News Magazine.
You can email us at info@diversitynewsmagazine.com or telephone (213) 321-9408 and if you would like to advertise please email us at: advertise@diversitynewsmagazine.com.
Remember to MENTION THE YOU SAW THE EVENT LISTED ON Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications. Thank you.

Breaking Celebrity News: Photographer Alleges Battery By Singer Justin Bieber

On Monday, May 28, 2012  The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) announced that Deputies from the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station responded to The Commons at Calabasas Shopping Center, Calabasas, after receiving a call from man who alleged he was in a physical altercation with pop singer Justin Bieber Sunday afternoon.

Shortly after deputies arrived, they contacted a man who told deputies that as he took pictures of Mr. Bieber, who was also in the company of actress Selena Gomez, he was physically battered by the singer. The man stated that Mr. Bieber left the with Miss Gomez prior to deputies’ arriving on-scene.

The victim complained of pain and requested medical attention. Personnel from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and later released.

The victim requested a criminal report be taken regarding the incident and a allegation of misdemeanor Battery (242 California Penal Code: A California Penal Code pc 242 battery takes place when you willfully and unlawfully use force or violence upon another.¹You can be convicted of this offense even if you don’t harm or injure the other person, as long as you make some type of unwanted physical contact) report was taken at the scene.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Malibu-Lost Hills Station detectives are investigating the incident. Any with information about this incident is urged, contact detctives at (818-878-1808). Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org 

Written by:
Lt. R. Wiard
Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station
(818) 878-1808

Forwarded by:
Deputy Tony Moore
Deputy Lillian Peck
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(323) 267-4800
http://www.lasd.org

Source: LASD-Newsroom(SHB)
Photo credit to Allen Berezovsky from Star Pics Today

Market Breaking News: Facebook Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering at $38 per share

On Thursday, May 17, 2012 Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) today the pricing of its initial public offering of 421,233,615 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $38 per share. The shares are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 18, 2012, under the symbol “FB.” Facebook is offering 180,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and selling stockholders are offering 241,233,615 shares of Class A common stock. Closing of the offering is expected to occur on May 22, 2012, subject to customary closing conditions.

In addition, Facebook and the selling stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 63,185,042 additional shares of Class A common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Goldman, Sachs & Co., BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Allen & Company LLC, Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank Securities are serving as book runners for the offering. RBC Capital Markets and Wells Fargo Securities are serving as active co-managers.

The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus related to the offering may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, Attention: Prospectus Department (Tel: +1 866 718 1649; e-mail: prospectus@morganstanley.com); J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, (Tel: +1 866 803 9204); or Goldman, Sachs & Co., 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, Attention: Prospectus Department (Tel: +1 866 471 2526, e-mail: prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com).

A registration statement related to these securities has been filed with, and declared effective by, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Sources: http://www.prnewswire.com and Facebook.com

Graphic logo credit to: Facebook

U.S. Postal Service Moves Ahead with Modified Network Consolidation Plan

On Thursday, May 17, 2012 The U.S. Postal Service announced plans to move ahead with a modified plan to consolidate its network of 461 mail processing locations in phases. The first phase of activities will result in up to 140 consolidations through February of 2013.  Unless the circumstances of the Postal Service change in the interim, a second and final phase of 89 consolidations is currently scheduled to begin in February of 2014.

“We revised our network consolidation timeline to provide a longer planning schedule for our customers, employees and other stakeholders, and to enable a more methodical and measured implementation,” said Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of the Postal Service.

“We simply do not have the mail volumes to justify the size and capacity of our current mail processing network. To return to long-term profitability and financial stability while keeping mail affordable, we must match our network to the anticipated workload,” said Donahoe. “Our current plan meets our cost reduction goals, ensures seamless and excellent service performance throughout the implementation period, and provides adequate time for our customers to adapt to our network changes.”


The Postal Service will begin consolidating operations this summer – which mostly involve transferring mail-processing operations from smaller to larger facilities. Due to the volume of high-priority mail predicted for the election and holiday mailing seasons, no consolidating activities will be conducted from September through December of 2012. Approximately 5,000 employees will begin receiving notifications next week related to consolidating and other efficiency-enhancing activities to be conducted this summer.

“We will be conducting consolidation activities this summer at only 48 locations,” said Megan Brennan, chief operating officer of the Postal Service. “As a result, nearly all consolidating activities in 2012 will occur in August and then will resume again the early part of next year.”

These consolidating activities will reduce the size of the Postal Service workforce by approximately 13,000 employees and, when fully implemented, will generate cost reductions of approximately $1.2 billionannually.

“The Postal Service will be communicating with our customers and employees about these changes in great detail,” said Megan Brennan. “We will work closely with our customers to ensure there are no surprises as we move forward.”

The Postal Service also announced it is working with its unions for an employee retirement incentive, although no final decision has been made.  ”The Postal Service has reduced the size of its workforce by 244,000 career employees since 2000 without resorting to layoffs,” said Brennan. “We are a responsible employer and we will work with our employees to ensure a smooth transition to a much leaner organization.”

The Postal Service also announced that it would soon issue a new regulation to modify its existing Service Standard for overnight delivery. The Postal Service said a Final Rule would soon be published in the Federal Register that would initially shrink the geographic reach of overnight service to local areas and enable consolidation activity in 2013. The new rule would further tighten the overnight delivery standard in 2014 and enable further consolidation of the Postal Service mail processing network absent any change to the circumstances of the Postal Service.

“We are essentially preserving overnight delivery for First-Class Mail through the end of 2013, although we are collapsing the distance that we can provide overnight service to the distribution area served by a particular mail processing facility,” said Megan Brennan. Approximately 80 percent of First-Class Mail will still be delivered overnight.

The Postal Service stated its expectation to pursue additional consolidation activities for an additional 89 mail processing locations beginning in 2014 unless its circumstances change. These consolidations would be based on long-term service standards that would significantly revise mail-entry times for customers seeking overnight delivery.

“Given that the Postal Service is currently projecting a $14 billion net loss in FY2012, and continuing annual losses of this magnitude, we simply cannot justify maintaining our current mail processing footprint,” said Donahoe.

When fully implemented in late 2014, the Postal Service expects its network consolidations to generate approximately $2.1 billion in annual cost reductions, and lead to total workforce reduction up to 28,000 employees.

The list of 140 mail processing locations to be consolidated by February of 2013 is available after 3 p.m. ET today at http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/welcome.htm.

About The U.S. Postal Service: A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 151 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 32,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 35th in the 2011 Fortune 500. In 2011, the U.S. Postal Service was ranked number one in overall service performance, out of the top 20 wealthiest nations in the world, Oxford Strategic Consulting. Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business magazines ranked the Postal Service as a leader in workforce diversity. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency for six years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute. For more information visit http://www.usps.com 

Follow the Postal Service on Twitter @USPS_PR and at facebook.com/usps

Sources: U.S. Postal Service, prnewswire.com
Photo credit to:  The U.S. Postal Service

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