The U.S. economy expanded at 2.2% annualized pace in the fourth quarter, led by the biggest gain in consumer spending in eight years.
March 27, 2015BusinessGovernmentLogistics
Consumer Sentiment Cools, Capping Best Quarter Since 2004
Consumer confidence fell less than forecast in March, capping the best quarter since 2004 as the labor market stayed strong and gasoline prices leveled off.
March 27, 2015Special CoverageGovernment
FMCSA Updates Drivers on Diabetes Standard Proposal
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reminded drivers at the Mid-America Trucking Show of its plan to amend its medical qualification standards to allow drivers with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce, without seeking an exemption.
March 26, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafetyAutonomous
ATA Again Calls on FMCSA to Stop Posting Crash Info on Carriers
It is illogical and a poor use of scarce enforcement resources to label carriers as unsafe based on crashes they didn’t cause, American Trucking Associations said in comments filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
March 26, 2015BusinessGovernmentLogistics
Consumer Confidence Rises to Match Second-Highest Level Since 2007
Consumer confidence climbed last week to match the second-highest level since July 2007, propelled in part by gains among lower-income earners and job seekers as the labor market improves.
March 26, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafetyFuel
Kentucky Acts at Last Minute to Stem Plunge in Fuel Tax Revenues
Kentucky lawmakers agreed just hours before adjourning March 24 to halt the precipitous decline in fuel tax revenues that has cost the state millions of dollars in road funding.
March 25, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafetyAutonomous
Sen. Deb Fischer Criticizes FMCSA’s Approach to Rulemaking on 34-Hour Restart
If the federal government had taken a performance-based rather than a prescriptive approach to its 34-hour restart rule, the regulation might have enhanced safety rather than adversely affected trucking operations, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) said at a hearing this week.
March 25, 2015Government
FTR's Shipping Conditions Index Rises
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index increased in January, reflecting a reaction to recent fuel-price reductions, according to the firm.
March 24, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafety
Scott Darling Will Continue to Run FMCSA But Not in Acting Capacity
Transportation SecretaryAnthony Foxx has announced that Scott Darling will continue to run the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, although without the title of acting administrator.
March 23, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Texas DOT Begins Refunding Bungled Toll Fees
The Texas Department of Transportation started mailing $1.5 million in refund checks to some tollway drivers who were overbilled, the Associated Press reported.
March 23, 2015