150 years and counting: George Westinghouse’s braking system still brings traffic to a stop
If you ask truckers about the most important things in their lives, some might say that right after family, God and country, their truck’s brakes
Kris Rutherford
- About Kris Rutherford
- Since retiring from a career as an outdoor recreation professional from the State of Arkansas, Kris Rutherford has worked as a freelance writer and, with his wife, owns and publishes a small Northeast Texas newspaper, The Roxton Progress. Kris has worked as a ghostwriter and editor and has authored seven books of his own. He became interested in the trucking industry as a child in the 1970s when his family traveled the interstates twice a year between their home in Maine and their native Texas. He has been a classic country music enthusiast since the age of nine when he developed a special interest in trucking songs.
Posts by Kris Rutherford
Garrett Steenblik journeys from health crisis to wellness as an over-the-road trucker
Garrett Steenblik’s story as a truck driver isn’t a typical one — but it is certainly inspirational. Just a few years into his driving career,
Repeating history: Timing of port strike eerily similar to 1938 truckers’ strike
East and Gulf Coast ports shut down at midnight Oct. 1, 2024, as 45,000 union longshoremen walked off their jobs. Freight will quickly back up
Western swing entertainer Spade Cooley detoured down a murderous path
It’s generally accepted that Bob Wills, along with his Texas Playboys, remains the “King of Western Swing.” But in the 1940s and early 1950s, a
Malcom McLean: Former gas jockey revolutionized shipping to become ‘father of containerization’
Malcom McLean (1913-2001) despised inefficiency. So determined was he to streamline his life and business that he dropped the superfluous letter “l” from “Malcolm” to
Tracy Byrd: This cowboy-hat-wearing performer is from the country — and he likes it that way
During the 1970s, as country music artists gradually crossed over to pop, one casualty of the genre’s evolution was the cowboy hat. While some artists
From disco to country, ‘Big’ Al Downing made his mark
Only one performing artist can lay claim to having the No. 1 disco single in the U.S. and Europe one year and following it up
Review: ‘Long Haul’ offers a glimpse into the darker side of trucking
Editor’s note: When The Trucker first heard about Frank Figliuzzi’s foray into the dark world of serial killers who take advantage of the transient nature
HEROES FOR HIRE: Military veterans bring valuable skills to jobs in the civilian sector
Since the Class B Standardized Military Truck, also known as the “Liberty Truck,” debuted at the start of World War I, skilled operators have been
Randy Travis’ new song welcomed by fans, debated by critics
If you followed the neo-traditionalist movement in 1980s and 1990s country music, no doubt you remember Randy Travis’ debut single, “1982.” The song hit the
Freight conditions, adverse weather negatively impact Werner’s Q1 numbers
OMAHA, Neb.– Werner Enterprises’ first quarter results showed financial hits in all sectors. “Freight conditions remained challenging in the first quarter with persistent excess industry
Cummins reports year-over-year net income increase after Atmus separation
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Cummins’ first quarter 2024 revenue hit $8.4 billion, with a net income of $2.0 billion, according to a financial report. This represents all
RXO sees double-digit brokerage volume growth for fourth consecutive quarter
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — RXO, a trucking brokerage business, has reported in its first quarter earnings for 2024 that with four consecutive quarters of double-digit increases
Clean Harbors exceeds first quarter financial expectations
NORWELL, Mass. — Clean Harbors has reported its financial results for the first quarter, and the company exceeded expectations. “Strong demand for our services
Merle Haggard’s Grandma Harp: The woman behind the lyrics
“Grandma’s maiden name was Zona Villines….” Hardcore Merle Haggard fans will remember the opening line of his 1972 single, “Grandma Harp.” The song rose all
CH Robinson reports Q1 year-over-year declines
EDEN Prairie, Minn. — C.H. Robinson Worldwide released its 2024 first quarter financial results on May 1, and the company saw losses over the same
For Stokes Trucking’s Jason Douglass, driver retention is key to a company’s success
Jason Douglass of Stokes Trucking knows the importance of driver retention. The 36-year-old, who serves as director of recruiting and retention for Tremonton, Utah-based Stokes
Know what you’re paying for: Predatory towing fees are a growing issue in trucking
Predatory towing. It’s a term with which all too many motor carriers and drivers are uncomfortably familiar. It’s possible your company has been a victim
Will FMCSA’s latest study of driver detention generate results?
When it comes to the topic of driver detention, Ed Nagle, president and CEO of Ohio-based Nagle Companies, is direct when expressing his displeasure with
TCA’s Profitability Program helps carriers survive, even thrive, regardless of market conditions
There’s no doubt about it: The cost of trucking is on the rise. While increasing prices are pretty much par for the course, recent cost