PIERRE, S.D. – Nine months after Senator Mike Rounds called for an investigation into mail delays in South Dakota, new data shows only modest improvements in postal delivery across parts of the state.
According to U.S. Postal Service performance data, some inbound mail is arriving more quickly, but most outbound mail service has either remained the same or worsened. Rural areas continue to experience some of the longest delivery times, with newspapers and other mail often taking several days to arrive.
Rounds has pushed for reforms, including a new bill that would prevent bonuses for top USPS officials while delivery problems continue. He has also worked with the Postal Service Inspector General’s Office, which is investigating mail service issues in South Dakota.
Publishers and residents across the state say delays continue to create challenges, especially in rural communities where newspapers and packages can take days, and sometimes weeks, to reach their destinations.
The Postal Service has acknowledged financial challenges, but South Dakota leaders say reliable mail delivery remains a top priority.
