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U.S. economic activity, including trucking and freight transportation, was sluggish in July and August, according to a Federal Reserve report released Wednesday.

Construction spending fell 0.6% in July, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

U.S. manufacturing fell slightly into contraction levels in August, the Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday.

Motor carriers and drivers providing emergency in areas affected by Hurricane Gustav will be relieved federal hours-of-service regulations, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration said.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it waived some clean fuel requirements for 16 parishes in the Louisiana until next Monday, Sept. 8, due to Hurricane Gustav, which hit the state Monday.

Forward Air Corp. said Monday its wholly owned subsidiary, Forward Air Solutions Inc., has entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets of Service Express, a privately held provider of pool distribution and related services headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C.

U.S. consumer confidence improved in August, according to the latest Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index, released Friday.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region improved in August, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Friday.

Consumer personal spending rose 0.2% in July, while prices rose by the most in 17 years, the Commerce Department said Friday.