KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill seeks to
avoid closing rural post offices under her proposal to maintain
six-day mail delivery.

     The Missouri Democrat will be in Kansas City on Monday to
discuss the proposals she wants incorporated into the 21st Century
Postal Service Act. She provided details of her plan in advance to
The Associated Press.

     The U.S. Postal Service is expected to lose a record $14.1
billion this year as increased Internet use reduces mail volume. A
plan to close mail centers and post offices has been put on hold
until mid-May.

     McCaskill is proposing cutting costs by reducing agency payments
that fund future retiree health benefits. She's also asking for a
new business model that would return the agency to financial health
within a year.