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KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The first shipments of a COVID-19 vaccine for widespread use in the United States headed Dec. 13 from Michigan to distribution centers across the country, with the first shots expected to be given in the coming week to health care workers and at nursing homes.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a congressional oversight committee that the federal government has made money on a $700 million loan it extended to YRC Worldwide under a coronavirus relief package for businesses that were deemed essential in fighting the pandemic.

Two of the country’s largest freight firms reassured federal lawmakers of their preparedness in helping to deliver COVID-19 vaccines as early as this month.

UPS Inc. said it has the capacity to handle the rollout of coronavirus vaccines and an unprecedented holiday package rush this month after investments in automation, tracking technology and dry-ice production.

A surge in COVID-19 cases is starting to impact American meat-processing operations in another potential threat to food supply chains that were upended in the early stages of the pandemic.

The national average price of diesel spiked by 5.8 cents per gallon, more than twice the previous high for the year, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly data released Nov. 16.

Mullen Group posted a gain in profit during the third quarter, helped by COVID-19-related economic subsidies, an improving economy and strong e-commerce business.

A huge surge in e-commerce deliveries to homes and businesses because of the COVID-19 pandemic boosted FedEx Corp.’s fiscal first-quarter earnings when the delivery giant reported its financials Sept. 15.

Hurricane Laura wreaked havoc when it made landfall Aug. 27, but fleets have rallied to help the victims in the couple of weeks since.

Losses at YRC Worldwide Inc. widened in the second quarter amid the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the company said federal loans it received under coronavirus relief efforts will help position it to emerge healthier from the downturn.