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WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer spending tumbled 0.5% in December, the biggest decline in nine years, as the holiday shopping season ended in disappointment. Meanwhile, incomes rose sharply in December but edged down in January.

BALTIMORE — American manufacturers expanded at a slower rate in February, as the pace of new orders, production and employment each slipped.

American Trucking Associations has strongly praised the introduction in the 116th Congress of a bill designed to facilitate interstate driving for truckers younger than 21.

Freight industry officials and economists are expressing optimism about the trucking and logistics business now that trade negotiations between the United States and China could result in an agreement, preventing another increase in tariffs.

Democrats on the transportation authorizing committees are angling to incorporate climate resilience provisions into infrastructure policy legislation they plan to craft sometime this year, despite unwavering opposition from top Republicans.

The country’s environmental regulatory agency has a new boss.

LONDON — Ireland’s deputy prime minister said Feb. 28 that the European Union wants to work with Britain to ensure there is a Brexit deal as Irish drivers were warned they will need new paperwork to cross the currently invisible border to Northern Ireland if the U.K. leaves the bloc without an agreement.

WASHINGTON — A long-term strategy consisting of additional funding for freight programs should be among the provisions that members of Congress adopt when they consider a surface transportation policy bill in the 116th Congress, the association representing trade corridors told a Senate panel Feb. 26.

President Donald Trump’s pledge to his rural agricultural base to allow year-round sales of higher blends of ethanol spurred differing opinions between key federal agencies Feb. 27.