Netflix can't be happy

Mail that birthday card earlier: U.S. Postal Service plans to halt guarantee ofnext-day delivery

Rendering of a Seattle's Best Coffee drive-thru.
Photo courtesy of Seattle's Best Coffee
We'll soon see this logo at 15 stores around Dallas-Fort Worth.
Photo courtesy of Seattle's Best Coffee

Next day delivery through the U.S. Postal Service will soon be a thing of the past as the mail carrier announced Monday they will no longer guarantee arrival of first-class stamped mail within one to three days. The shift comes amid threats of bankruptcy and is part of a broader plan to reduce costs by $20 billion within three years.

In addition to slowing first class delivery, the USPS plans to eliminate all Saturday deliveries, shortening the mail week to just five days. The newest cuts will eliminate $3 billion from the ailing service’s $14.1 billion deficit, closing nearly half of all mail processing centers and removing an additional 28,000 jobs from the nation’s already dismal workforce.

Netflix is already struggling to keep its DVD-by-mail service afloat, and an extra day or two added to delivery times is sure to further stunt growth in that portion of the company’s business.

The changes are potentially harmful, as recognized by S&P Capital IQ analyst Jim Corridore in a story by NPR, in which he points out, "Over time, to the extent the customer service experience gets worse, it will only increase the shift away from mail to alternatives. There's almost nothing you can't do online that you can do by mail."

Corridore’s concern is well placed: In a market that is increasingly moving towards the Internet and a youth that mostly refers to physical mail with nostalgia, where does the USPS fit in? Now that delivery will be slowed to two to three days, even some of the baby-boomer hold-outs must be considering the possibility of abandoning physical mail for services like bill payment or during tax season.

Not to say physical mail is obsolete — not by any stretch of the word. Many people, especially those in more rural areas, are dependent on the speedy, reliable delivery of prescription medicine directly to their homes. But with slower service and the loss of an entire business day, some residents might see their shipments delayed an entire week.

And what about businesses that depend on delivering time sensitive packages directly to customer’s residences? Netflix is already struggling to keep its DVD-by-mail service afloat, and an extra day or two added to delivery times is sure to further stunt growth in that portion of the company’s business.

Printed publications such as Time or USA Today that rely on expedient home delivery will surely face higher operating costs, ensuring the timely arrival of their already “day-late” offerings. If any of these organizations are forced to privatize their shipment method, the USPS stands to lose even more business, and at this stage, it literally cannot afford any revenue loss.

Even though the physical delivery of mail is less relevant now than it was just 50 years ago, shrinking the Postal Service will effect a much broader portion of the nation than just those who prefer to send a hand written letter over a typed out e-mail. From corporations to citizenry, the impact of these cuts seem to have a more profound effect than just forcing customers to conduct their business online.

It’s impressive to think that for over 40 years, one could send a piece of paper anywhere in the United States and have it arrive the next day for under 50 cents. Now that next day delivery is going away, and with the vast amount of debt still facing the U.S. Postal Service, how much longer can the government viably support the independent agency?

It’s disappointing that such a revolutionary, long-standing American tradition might disappear, but with billions of dollars to make up by 2015 and all of the low cost alternatives available, mail appears to be on its last leg.

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The U.S. Postal Service’s full press release can be read here.

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sustainability news

Airbnb pledges over $1 million to improve Houston before World Cup

Jerry Davis, Julian Ramirez, Laura Spanjian, Chris Canetti, and DaMarcus Beasley at the Airbnb press conference Tuesday., December 2, 2025.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

From left to right, Jerry Davis, Julian Ramirez, Laura Spanjian, Chris Canetti, and DaMarcus Beasley at the Airbnb press conference Tuesday.

According to a Deloitte study commissioned by short-term rental company Airbnb, roughly 30,000 people are expected to stay in Airbnb properties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that in mind, the company has pledged over $1 million to various improvement projects in Houston as part of their Host City Impact Program.

“Hosting a global event like the FIFA World Cup in Houston is a generational opportunity for our city," said Chris Canetti, president, FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee at a press conference on Tuesday, December 2. "It’s so much more than a game — it’s about honoring our city and the people that make it great. In Houston, we’re proud to be working together with Airbnb to ensure these benefits are felt far beyond the games, investing in projects that will leave our city better off for generations to come.”

The $5 million Host City Impact Program is a partnership between Airbnb and FIFA to foster community spaces in places that host events like the World Cup. In Houston, their contribution will go toward two major projects.

First, the Green Corridor, an ambitious 14-mile sustainable transit loop that will connect the FIFA Fan Festival in East Downtown (EaDo) and NRG Stadium where the game will be held, as well as meandering through various neighborhoods. Not to be confused with the Green Loop project, this pedestrian path will feature interactive maps, water refilling stations, and shaded walkways that will hopefully reduce traffic congestion around the World Cup by promoting walking spaces.

The second project is Grow the Game, an initiative to renovate soccer fields and increase access to play across the city, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. It will also fund youth tournaments and clinics.

"Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 is a historic milestone for Houston, and as leaders from the private and public sectors, we have a unique opportunity to partner and ensure its benefits reach every corner of our city," added Houston City Councilmember At-Large Julian Ramirez. "Projects like the Green Corridor will make Houston more accessible and inviting, connecting neighborhoods and expanding green spaces for all. At the same time, initiatives like Grow the Game will give local kids the chance to get on the field, build skills, and be part of something special. With Airbnb’s investment, we can create a legacy that makes Houston more desirable, equitable, and vibrant for all.”

As the World Cup nears, the Greater Houston Area is undergoing several different transformations. In addition to the Green Corridor, Sugar Land opened a Social District last month to make it easier for visitors to party in the city's Town Square district.

world cup transportation sustainability parks