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AUSTIN, Texas — Over the past year Dave Manning, the immediate past chairman of American Trucking Associations, has walked in the White House Rose Garden, rubbed elbows with members of Congress, racked up a hefty airline travel-point balance, and even watched the Supreme Court in action. But his greatest memories, he said, were meeting with the trucking industry’s hard-working, passionate people who occupy offices, workshops and truck cabs nationwide.

AUSTIN, Texas — While enjoying the benefits of a booming economy and abundant freight to haul, trucking leaders took aim at some of the more persistent challenges that hold the industry back, even in this favorable business environment.

AUSTIN, Texas — They heard some optimistic projections from outgoing American Trucking Associations Chairman Dave Manning, a touching speech by new ATA Chairman Barry Pottle, and ended the evening hugging the stage to the hard Southern rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

AUSTIN, Texas — The relationship between state organizations and American Trucking Associations is solid and should continue to grow, according to a longtime member of the industry.

AUSTIN, Texas ­— Mutual interest between law enforcement and truckers over such policy issues as highway safety, security and human trafficking are forging increasing relationships that have historically been less than cordial, according to a panel of law enforcement experts.

Transportation policy is rarely discussed in the national political arena this fall, but some candidates with seats on key freight committees are in high-profile contests.

AUSTIN, Texas — Drivewyze Inc., provider of the PreClear weigh-station bypass service, has launched an analytics and reporting tool aimed at helping fleets better understand their safety and inspection data.

AUSTIN, Texas — For the second year in a row, the national shortage of qualified truck drivers is considered the industry’s most pressing concern, according to an annual report prepared by the American Transportation Research Institute.

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence rose again this month, hitting a new 18-year high. The Conference Board said Oct. 30 that its consumer confidence index climbed to 137.9 in October from 135.3 in September. Both readings are the highest since September 2000.