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Government safety regulators said Dec. 23 they have closed an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Thirty rail freight improvement projects are slated to share $55 million as part of efforts by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration to boost infrastructure and economic growth.

Texas Instruments announced a tranche of federal CHIPS and Science Act funding worth up to $1.6 billion, a show of support for a booming semiconductor manufacturing industry in North Texas.

Any current or former employee or contractor of a vehicle manufacturer, part supplier or dealership may be a whistleblower, NHTSA said.

FRANKFURT, Germany — Volkswagen and its employee representatives said they reached a wage deal for 120,000 German workers that avoids plant closings and bars involuntary layoffs through 2030.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advisory committee met for five hours Dec. 17 to recommend best practices to increase safe parking for truck drivers seeking rest.

The so-called core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy items, increased 0.1% from October and 2.8% from a year earlier.

The final December sentiment index increased to 74 from 71.8 last month, according to the University of Michigan. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey called for a reading of 74.2.

The spending bill would keep the government open through March 14, provide disaster relief and give billions of dollars in economic aid to farmers. It will not suspend the national debt limit.

Shipments of lithium-ion batteries to the U.S. jumped by 27% to $1.9 billion in November from a year earlier. The export tax rebate for batteries was cut to 9% from 13%.