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California trucking companies are afraid of losing an important overtime pay exemption for many of their drivers because of new work regulations.

In the news this morning: M.S. Carriers to Pay Its Drivers More; X-Ray Use Expands at Border Points; and Steel Officials Call for Higher Truck Weights.

This afternoon's headlines: Fear of terrorism means delays at U.S.-Canadian border; PJAX truck doubles as mobile billboard; and Calif. trucker sentenced for dumping oil into storm drain.

A slight drop in the price of diesel fuel marked the third straight week of declines, but costs are expected to remain close to the three-year high reached in November.

Truckers are fighting a plan to eliminate exit tolls from the southern half of the Maine Turnpike that they fear could wind up charging them more to cover the losses.

Sales of Class 8 trucks through November remained strong – on track to hit 260,000 for the year – despite reports of falling orders in October that led one manufacturer to lay off workers recently.

A California law that goes into effect Jan. 1 beefs up penalties for commercial truck drivers who overly exceed the speed limit or attempt to evade a law enforcement officer.

In the news this morning: Renault integrates truck brands; American Freightways plans 500-job expansion; and Overnite says threat rising to drivers as strike grinds on.

With expectations of record-shattering orders over the Internet this Christmas, package carriers may want to hire Santa and Mrs. Claus to drive trucks, and some frazzled online retailers will certainly need a team of elves if they want to fulfill orders.

Some of the nation’s biggest truckload carriers, facing rising costs for equipment, drivers, fuel and insurance, are beginning to ask shippers to pay more for freight deliveries.