Overheard

U.S. postage rates will inch upward May 12, when a first-class mail stamp rises by a penny to 42 cents. The U.S. Postal Service said Forever Stamps will still be valid, and USPS will have 5 billion Forever Stamps in stock to meet increased demand before the pricing change. One-ounce flats will increase 3 cents to 83 cents, 1-ounce parcels will increase 4 cents to $1.17, and postcards will increase 1 cent to 27 cents. There will be no change in the 17-cent price for additional ounces. Changes in shipping-service prices will be announced next month.

Shot of Wi-Fi

AT&T is partnering with Starbucks to offer Wi-Fi service at its three Springfield coffee shops and more than 7,000 worldwide. The global brands will begin implementation in the spring, with completion scheduled by the end of the year. AT&T will provide a mix of Wi-Fi options, including up to two free hours of daily service to Starbucks’ cardholders, unlimited free access to AT&T broadband and AT&T Universe Internet customers, flat-rate plans to AT&T’s remote-access business customers, and two-hour sessions for $3.99 or monthly memberships for $19.99. Starbucks stores at 631 S. Glenstone Ave., 433 W. Sunshine St. and 3628 S. Campbell Ave. will pick up the new service, which will eventually expand to include AT&T’s wireless customers and Starbucks’ 100,000 U.S. partners, including companies such as iTunes. AT&T says the deal will expand its Wi-Fi U.S. network by more than 70 percent.

Teaming Up on Energy

Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. has enlisted the help of advertising agency The Team Inc. to launch an energy-efficiency campaign. In an agreement that extends The Team as the electric cooperative’s agency of record for all marketing and creative work, the agency spells out the components of the campaign: consumer advertising; dedicated Web sites and other electronic communications; point-of-sale materials; packaging; and promotional brochures. It will hit on six key initiatives – energy-efficient lighting, energy audits, weatherization, education seminars, appliance rebates and ground source heat pumps – for residential and commercial co-op members. The two entities have worked together for 10 years. Associated Electric provides power to more than 850,000 owner-members.

Slice of Nice

Missouri State University Foundation officials have announced pledges so far this year of nearly $1.8 million. The contributions include $675,000 for academic purposes and $1.1 million for intercollegiate athletics, most of which is for JQH Arena. Recent major contributors and the supported departments or destinations: Bob Noble, art and design; Bank of America, Jordan Valley Innovation Center; The Sunderland Foundation of Kansas City, industrial management; William K. Berry, agriculture; Errett and Pat Sechler, music; the Jim D. Morris family, Hammons Student Center; Bill Rowe and three anonymous donors, Athletics Hall of Fame at JQH Arena; Prestressed Casting and owner Bill Johnson, plaza outside JQH Arena; and the McQueary family, JQH Arena locker rooms.