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A $108.8 Billion wake-up call: Trucking’s annual congestion costs soar

WASHINGTON — Traffic congestion on U.S. highways added $108.8 billion in costs to the trucking industry in 2022 according to the latest Cost of Congestion study published by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).  This finding, part of ATRI’s ongoing highway performance measurement research, marks a new record-high national congestion cost, according to an ATRI press release. “With rising costs putting pressure on businesses and consumers alike, minimizing delays caused by congestion is more important than ever,” said Frank Granieri, A. Duie Pyle COO of Supply Chain Solutions. “Addressing these challenges requires a shared commitment to modernize our infrastructure and strengthen the backbone of our economy: resilient and efficient supply chains.”  According to the release, ATRI utilized a variety of data sources, including its substantial truck GPS database and Operational Costs benchmarks, to calculate the impacts of trucking delays on major U.S. roadways. The total hours of congestion decreased slightly in 2022 from record 2021 highs due to a softening freight market, but the cost of operating a truck during this period increased at a much greater rate. As a result, the overall cost of congestion increased by 15.0 percent year-over-year. This level of delay is equivalent to more than 430,000 commercial truck drivers sitting idle for one work year and an average cost of $7,588 for every registered combination truck.  In addition to the national findings, ATRI’s analysis also documented state and metropolitan delays and related cost impacts. The top 10 states each experienced costs of more than $8 billion, led by Texas ($9.17B), California ($8.77B), and Florida ($8.44B). Combined, the top 10 states ultimately account for more than half (52%) of trucking’s congestion costs nationwide. Additionally, the metropolitan areas with the highest congestion costs included New York City ($6.68B), Miami ($3.20B), and Chicago ($3.14B).  ATRI’s analysis also found that the trucking industry wasted over 6.4 billion gallons of diesel fuel in 2022 due to congestion, resulting in additional fuel costs of $32.1 billion, the release said.  A copy of this report is available on ATRI’s website here. 

Road detectives: Watch for clues that road surfaces are treacherous this winter

Saturday, Dec. 21, will mark the first official day of winter in the northern hemisphere. It’s also the shortest day of the entire year. Dec. 21 is not, however, the first day of winter weather in most parts of North America, and countless truck drivers have already encountered inclement conditions. Not every driver travels routes in areas that are routinely impacted snow, ice, freezing rain and other wintery hazards. Even so, it’s a good idea for every professional driver, regardless of region, to review winter driving hazards and driving techniques to stay safe when the snow flies and surfaces become treacherous. The first rule of thumb is simple: Park your truck, if at all possible. Nearly everyone knows that it’s better to shut down when conditions are too risky to handle. Some jurisdictions make the choice, closing roads when conditions are bad. Be prepared for changing conditions. Often, it’s the changing conditions that cause the biggest safety hazards. For example, the salt or chemicals used to treat the roads can melt ice or keep it from forming. The problem is, however, that the ice doesn’t always stay melted. The water produced from melting snow and ice dilutes the salt or chemicals — along with their effectiveness. The roads may be completely passable at one point in time; however, when temperatures drop — whether caused by a storm front, darkness or whatever — ice can quickly re-form on the road surface. But there’s another factor that can change ice to water and back to ice — altitude. Many drivers have experienced the phenomenon of rain turning into snow as they ascend a mountain. That’s because higher altitudes are usually colder. On road surfaces, it only takes a slight change in temperature to freeze water. In addition, the slopes encountered on mountains help to drain off whatever chemicals were applied to the roads. A wet road can turn into an icy one within a short distance. Beware of black ice. Black ice is the most dangerous hazard of all, because it can be hard to tell if a surface is frozen or merely wet. However, there are some clues you can watch for. The most obvious, of course, is the traffic ahead of you. Be aware of how other vehicles, particularly heavy trucks, are handling the conditions. Another way to determine whether the road is icy or simply wet is to watch for road spray, either from other vehicles or by checking your rear-view mirror. If the road looks wet but there’s no spray coming from the tires, it’s ice. Don’t be overconfident on snowy surfaces. Snow presents a different set of challenges for truckers because it isn’t usually as slippery as ice and can often be driven on (at a reduced speed, of course). Unfortunately, as vehicles pass over snow-covered roads, the snow gets packed down — and there’s often a thin layer of ice atop that snow — so caution is necessary. There are times when a loaded 18-wheeler can get better traction in snow than nearby smaller vehicles, but it’s important to watch other motorists and be prepared if they lose control. Give them plenty of space. Overpasses and bridges can be treacherous. In many areas of the country, the ground stays warm enough to keep the road surface warm, melting off any snow that accumulates. Keep in mind, however, that bridges and overpasses don’t have ground beneath them for insulation. Those signs that warn “bridge freezes before road” are there for a very important reason. In most cases, crossing a portion of bridge or overpass where the water may be frozen requires drivers to do nothing. Literally — as in don’t accelerate, don’t brake and don’t steer. Simply guiding the truck across while making no changes provides the best chance of getting across safely. Don’t let ice build up on your vehicle. Rain and road spray can form ice on vehicles, too. It’s important to check your truck’s lights periodically, since LED lamps and headlights don’t produce enough heat to melt off ice and snow. Ice can quickly accumulate in headlight recesses, and just a thin coating of ice can make taillights invisible. Whenever you can, a quick walk around will help make sure others can see indicator lights. Even without exiting the truck, you can find clues that your lights need attention. Ice and snow and build up on mirror brackets, antennas and other parts of the truck, so keep an eye on those items. One trick often used by “old school” drivers is to watch for the movement of radio or CB antennas while moving. Normally, the antennas are pushed backwards in the vehicles slipstream, sometimes moving backward and forward. If you notice antennas moving from side to side, making circles or other strange movements, it’s likely that ice has formed on them and is changing their aerodynamic properties. Stop and check your vehicle. Always plan ahead. Weather systems typically (but not always) move from West to East across North America. With experience, drivers can either plan their trip to stay ahead of a weather front or take a rest break until it has moved through the area. Keep in mind that the systems that bring rain and snow are often followed by a cold snap, freezing the precipitation that’s dropped. With the widespread availability of weather radar and access to weather information on phones and computers, a check of the weather should be a part of every trip plan. It’s helpful to know what kind of weather to expect and plan accordingly. Trying to make up time while driving in bad conditions is a recipe for disaster. Sometimes, you have to say “no.” Sound trip planning sometimes includes the word “no.” When accepting a dispatch, it’s important to know if conditions may get dangerous. Negotiating a later delivery or declining the load might be safer options. If you’re already under load and encounter inclement weather, it may be safer to shut down and run later, after the roads have been treated or the sun comes up and warms the temperature. Don’t be intimidated by managers or others who are speaking to you from the warmth and safety of their office. You’re the person on the scene, and your judgement counts. Be aware of holiday hazards. A final word of caution: The holiday season is upon us! That means the Clark Griswold’s of the world (“Christmas Vacation,” anyone?) might be hitting the road in search of the perfect Christmas tree. With the kids out of school and the whole family on the way to Grandma’s house, there’ll be extra traffic. Other motorists may be distracted, or they may simply not possess the safety skills that you use on the road every day. Unfortunately, some of those other motorists may have chosen to celebrate with alcohol or other substances that alter their driving abilities. Being observant and staying out of accidents can help get you — and others — safely to a desired destination. That might just be the sweetest Christmas gift of all.

Tennessee DOT halting construction for the holiday period

 NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Holiday traffic in Tennessee will not be impeded by road construction. Tennessee’s Department of Transportation announced that road construction won’t delay travelers during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays as it suspends lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. Additionally, no temporary lane closures will be allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 23, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. AAA expects an estimated 2.7 million Tennesseans to travel between December 21 and January 1 with 2.58 million of them driving. “Safety is our top priority and with so many people expected to travel Tennessee roadways during the holidays, we want to keep traffic moving and get everyone to their destinations,” said Deputy Governor & TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “As always, please wear your seatbelt, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, and move over for emergency vehicles.” Except for a few long-term closures that must remain for safety, all construction-related closures will be suspended during the holiday period.  Workers may still be on-site in some construction zones.  Drivers should obey all posted speed limits, particularly in construction areas.  Slower speeds are necessary in work zones due to the temporary layout of the roadway and will be enforced.  Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possibly increased insurance premiums.

Diesel’s free fall in price from a week ago bungees back upward

Much like an afternoon at a trampoline park, what goes down, will eventually come up. After a deep dive last week, it only took a week for diesel prices to bounce back to a 4-cent increase. The national price per gallon climbed to $3.494 from $3.458 according to the Petroleum Administration for Defense District. Despite the increase, it is still less than the national price from two weeks ago before the sharp nosedive. A couple of regions had increased more than the others. The Lower Atlantic rose more than five cents fro $3.432 to $3.487. Meanwhile the Gulf Coast rose from $3.13 to $3.19. The California region was the only with a significant decline ticking down from $4.623 to $4.597.

TuSimple co-founder demands immediate and full liquidation of company by stockholders

HOUSTON, Texas — Dr. Xiaodi Hou, co-founder and the largest investor of TuSimple Holdings Inc., issued an open letter on Monday, Dec. 16, to fellow TuSimple investors which, in part, demands the immediate and full liquidation of TuSimple to stop the transfer of more than $450 Million to Chinese Entities. TuSimple is an autonomous tech company that has recently been giving a big push for self-driving rigs. According to a media release, the full letter reads: “Dear Fellow Stockholders, I write to you today not just as an investor, but as a co-founder who has poured seven years of passion, energy, and personal commitment into making TuSimple a world leader in autonomous driving. Like many of you, I invested in this Company because I believed in its transformative vision—to redefine the transportation industry. Unfortunately, under the Company’s current management and board of directors (the “Board”), the chance of achieving that vision is fading fast. Given the extensive list of issues at TuSimple under the current leadership team—some of which I have already addressed in court filings—I believe liquidation, which could return $1.93 per share (or more) to stockholders, represents the most equitable path forward for all of us. Visit www.savetusimple.com for additional information. Director Election Mechanism The director election at the Company’s upcoming annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on December 20, 2024 (the “AGM”) will be decided by a “plurality voting system,” meaning each of the six incumbent directors needs only a single share vote to be re-elected. While this may give the impression of a predetermined outcome, the results of the AGM’s director election do not seal our fate. Stockholders have an alternative path to Board renewal through a written consent solicitation, which enables us to remove directors outside the annual meeting cycle with the support of a majority of the outstanding voting power. This is the path that I intend to pursue. Independent Governance Advisors Share our Concerns At the AGM, Proposal No. 2 seeks to establish a “staggered Board,” which would significantly undermine stockholders’ ability to hold the Board accountable and inhibit the fundamental stockholder right to change the Board through a consent solicitation or at future annual meetings. Two leading independent proxy advisory firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, whose recommendations influence institutional investors holding trillions of assets, recommended stockholders vote AGAINST the staggered Board proposal (Proposal No. 2), concluding that it fundamentally conflicts with stockholder interests, particularly in light of the current circumstances that call for enhanced Board accountability at TuSimple. Both firms have also recommended a WITHHOLD vote for all independent directors of the Company except the CFIUS director, Albert Schultz. ISS has gone a step further by opposing nearly the entire Board slate, including Cheng Lu, Mo Chen, Jianan Hao, James Lu and Zhen Tao. I have directed my voting rights, representing 29.7% of the total voting power, to be voted as follows at the AGM: Proposal No. 1 – “WITHHOLD” on the proposed slate of all directors, except Mr. Schultz Proposal No. 2 – “AGAINST” the proposed amendment to classify the Board Proposal No. 3 – “AGAINST” the ratification of UHY LLP as the Company’s auditor My Legal Progress Protects Stockholder Value My commitment to stockholder rights led me to file a lawsuit in the Delaware Chancery Court (the “Court”) (Case No. 2024-1208-PAF) to confirm my voting rights, and we have made the following progress in protecting stockholder interests: On December 2, 2024, the Court granted expedited proceedings, with a final hearing on voting rights control expected in Q1 2025. On December 13, 2024, after intense negotiations, we secured a Status Quo Order (“SQO”) from the Court that implements crucial protections for all stockholders. The SQO now requires 10 business days’ advance written notice before the Company can take several significant actions that could harm stockholder value, including: Transferring cash, cash equivalents, or short-term investments exceeding $15M per month to the Company’s mainland China operations through Q1 2025; Approving, consenting to, or consummating any merger or acquisition of the Company or Company subsidiaries (including by way of sale of assets) with value greater than 10% of the Company’s assets, as reflected on the Company’s most recent balance sheet prior to the entry of the SQO; Amending, modifying, or repealing any provision of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws that affect stockholder voting rights (except as explicitly contemplated in the SQO); and Taking any other corporate action requiring a stockholder vote—including any sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s property and assets. The Path Forward: While the upcoming AGM may not immediately change the Board’s composition, I anticipate a trial and a declaratory judgment from the Court affirming my voting rights in Q1 2025. Once affirmed, I intend to initiate a written consent solicitation seeking to remove all current directors, except for Mr. Schultz, and ultimately seek to replace them with truly independent directors committed to proper corporate governance. I intend to further pursue a liquidation and dissolution of the Company to enable stockholders to realize ~$1.93 per share (or more) of value. Stay Involved and Informed: Over the past weeks, many of you have reached out through emails, calls, and community forums to offer your support and insights. Thank you! We are not merely observers. Together we have the responsibility and power to determine the Company’s future. To protect your investment: Vote your shares at the AGM Sign up at www.savetusimple.com for relevant updates, including the anticipated consent solicitation Share this information with fellow stockholders Ensure your broker has your current contact information Thank you for your patience, grit, and continued belief in what we can achieve together. With determination and hope, Xiaodi Hou Co-Founder and Stockholder, TuSimple Holdings Inc.”

Truck drivers in Mexico block major highways to protest the government’s failure to pay bills

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Truck drivers blocked some major highways in central Mexico last week to protest that the government hasn’t paid them for work they did on a tourist train line. The protest by truckers blocked two major highways leading north out of Mexico City for a few hours the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 10, and other highways on the Yucatan Peninsula, where they had worked carrying gravel and other materials for the government’s Maya Train project. President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged Tuesday that the subcontractor companies that hired the truck drivers hadn’t paid them because the government owed them money. “The payments to the companies have started, so that they, in turn, can pay the truck drivers,” Sheinbaum said. It was the latest in a series of complaints by workers and businessmen who said the cash-strapped government has fallen behind in payments. Mexico’s federal government is running big budget deficits to pay for ambitious pet projects and entitlement programs from the previous administration. Last month, suppliers and contractors for the state-owned oil company published an open letter saying they hadn’t been paid $5 billion for work they had done. “This situation … has caused adverse affects on our finances and on the regions where we work,” the Mexican Association of Petroleum Services Companies wrote in the letter. Under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who was Sheinbaum’s political mentor, the government began transferring large amounts of money to the state-run Pemex oil company, started large building projects and implemented cash handout programs. That led to federal budget deficits of about 6% of Mexico’s gross domestic product in 2024. Mexico’s treasury department said it would aim to reduce the deficit to 3.9% of GDP in 2025, but it was unclear if it could achieve that. López Obrador left behind a lot of unfinished train and oil refinery projects, and Sheinbaum has expanded benefit programs for older people. In November, the Moody’s ratings agency said it had downgraded the government’s debt outlook from “stable” to “negative” while reaffirming Mexico’s Baa2 overall credit rating, saying increased government debt represented a risk for Mexico. The cash crunch has left Sheinbaum scrambling to find money with new and unusual taxes and funding sources. Earlier this week, Sheinbaum said that much of the money gained by eliminating independent oversight and regulatory agencies will go to the army to fund a rise in soldiers’ pay. In November, Mexico’s Congress approved charging every cruise ship passenger a $42 immigration fee, with much of that money also going to the armed forces. López Obrador and Sheinbaum have put the army in charge of everything airports, airlines and train lines, and many of the military-run projects appear to be big money losers, which may help explain the government’s urge to find extra funding for the armed forces. For example, the army largely built the “Maya Train,” a tourist line which runs in a loop around the Yucatan Peninsula. But the train has drawn only 20% of the ridership expected when it was proposed. The Maya Train started service on Dec. 16, 2023. While it’s not completely finished — two relatively little-used stretches are scheduled to enter service later this month — the most popular and heavily-travelled parts of the line are already in service. As of Dec. 8, authorities announced the train line had carried a little more than 600,000 passengers in its first 51 weeks. That is only one-fifth of the 3 million passengers authorities had claimed it would carry per year.

Storms across US bring heavy snow, dangerous ice and a tornado in California

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A tornado near a mall in central California swept up cars, uprooted trees and sent several people to the hospital. In San Francisco, authorities issued the first-ever tornado warning. Elsewhere, inclement weather plagued areas of the U.S., with dangerous conditions including heavy snow in upstate New York, a major ice storm in Midwest states and severe weather warnings around Lake Tahoe. The ice storm beginning Friday evening created treacherous driving conditions across Iowa and eastern Nebraska Friday and into Saturday and prompted temporary closures of Interstate 80 after numerous cars and trucks slid off the road. In upstate New York, more than 33 inches (84 centimeters) was reported near Orchard Park, which is often a landing point for lake-effect snow. On Saturday, a tornado touched down near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, California, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of San Francisco, around 1:40 p.m. The tornado overturned cars and toppled trees and utility poles, the National Weather Service said. The Scotts Valley Police Department said several people were injured and taken to hospitals. Some trees toppled onto cars and streets and damaged roofs in San Francisco. The damage was being assessed to determine if the city was indeed hit by a tornado, which had not occurred since 2005, according to the weather service. Roger Gass, a meteorologist in the weather service’s office in Monterey, California, said the warning of a possible tornado in San Francisco was a first for the city, noting an advanced alert did not go out before the last tornado struck nearly 20 years ago. “I would guess there wasn’t a clear signature on radar for a warning in 2005,” said Gass, who was not there at the time. The fast-moving storm prompted warnings for residents to take shelter, but few people have basements in the area. “The biggest thing that we tell people in the city is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible,” Meteorologist Dalton Behringer said. More than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow fell at some Lake Tahoe ski resorts, and a 112-mph (181-kph) gust of wind was recorded at the Mammoth Mountain resort south of Yosemite National Park, according to the weather service’s office in Reno, Nevada. Up to 3 feet (91 centimeters) of snow was forecast for Sierra Nevada mountaintops. The Tahoe Live music festival at Palisades Tahoe ski resort in California was expected to go ahead as planned Saturday and Sunday in spite of a winter storm warning for the area. Lil Wayne was scheduled to perform Saturday night, with Diplo as the headliner on Sunday, the festival’s website said. A winter storm warning was set to expire at 10 p.m. Saturday, but an avalanche warning remained in effect into the following night for elevations above 8,000 feet (about 2,400 meters) around Tahoe. Interstate 80 was closed along an 80-mile (130-kilometer) stretch from Applegate, California, to the Nevada line just west of Reno on Saturday. The California Highway Patrol reopened the road in the afternoon for passenger vehicles with chains or four-wheel drive and snow tires. The severe weather in the Midwest resulted in at least one death. The Washington County Sheriff’s office in Nebraska said a 57-year-old woman died after she lost control of her pickup on Highway 30 near Arlington and hit an oncoming truck. The other driver sustained minor injuries. Businesses announced plans to open late Saturday as temperatures rose high enough in the afternoon to melt the ice in most places. “Luckily some warmer air is moving in behind this to make it temporary,” said Dave Cousins, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s office in Davenport, Iowa. Tens of thousands of people in western Washington state lost electricity Saturday as the system delivered rain and gusty winds, local news outlets reported. Associated Press reporters Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco, Julie Walker in New York, Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed.

Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systems

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”

1 dies and another is injured when small plane crashes onto New York interstate

HARRISON, N.Y. (AP) — A small plane crashed onto an interstate highway in New York, killing one of two people on board and injuring the other, authorities said. The crash shut down traffic on Interstate 684 in Harrison, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Manhattan in Westchester County, around 7 p.m. Thursday. Video from the scene showed the damaged white plane against a guardrail in the center median, with emergency vehicles blocking all lanes of traffic. The Department of Environmental Conservation was on scene to clean up spilled aviation fuel, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “My heart goes out to the loved ones of those on board during this tragic incident, and I am praying for a safe recovery for the injured individual,” Hochul said in a statement.

Missouri police call in Arkansas authorities regarding shooting near I-55

FESTUS, Mo. — Missouri police and the Arkansas State Police are working together in an investigation regarding a shooting near Interstate 55 in the St. Louis suburb of Festus. Earlier this month the Associated Press reported that  Police in Missouri shot and wounded a suspect who they said opened fire after crashing his vehicle, in which investigators found the body of a female. Police in Festus received a call on Dec. 8 at 11:10 a.m. of a report of shots fired near a restaurant, Festus Police Chief Doug Wendel said. Officers, joined by police from nearby Crystal City, found the suspect on a highway and attempted to stop the black pickup he was driving, Wendel said. The vehicle struck a concrete median barrier and crashed near a store, Wendel said. The suspect, wearing body armor, exited the vehicle and fired shots, Crystal City Police Chief Chad Helms said. Two Crystal City police officers returned fire, wounding the man, who was taken to a hospital, Helms said. He had multiple gunshot wounds, Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak said. The officers were uninjured, Helms said. In the vehicle, investigators found the body of a female they believe was dead before the shooting, Marshak said. Investigators are working to determine the cause of death, he said. Arkansas State Police said on Wednesday that its CID was requested to assist in the investigation because the deceased woman was identified as Clara Blaxton, 45, of Independence County, Ark. Updated information by the ASP revealed that the incident took place at a White Castle restaurant just off I-55, and that the report was of an active shooter. The suspect, later identified as Jarrett W. Cousins, 40, of Bradford, Ark., fled the scene in a Dodge Ram truck. Police officers from Festus and Crystal City attempted to stop the vehicle before it struck a concrete median, stopping in front of a Crystal City shopping center on Truman Boulevard. According to ASP’s release, Cousins exited the vehicle wearing body armor and armed with multiple firearms. The suspect discharged his weapons, and officers returned fire, striking the suspect. Cousins was transported to a Missouri hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition. Officers found Braxton deceased in the front passenger seat of Cousins’ vehicle. No officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire. The Jefferson County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is investigating the officer-involved shooting. That agency has charged Cousins with one count of First-Degree Assault or Attempt – Serious Physical Injury or Special Victim and one count of Armed Criminal Action. He is being held without bond. Blaxton’s body was sent to the Missouri Crime Lab. JCSO requested assistance from ASP CID in investigating the death of Braxton, which investigators believe occurred in Arkansas.  ASP CID will prepare a case file for the Independence County, Ark., prosecutor to determine charges. 

Freight forward: How to safeguard your business from phishing, smishing and quishing

Truckstop is sounding the alarm on the freight industry increasingly become a target for cybercriminals looking to steal carriers’ identities, pay and even cargo. According to Truckstop, scammers are getting craftier and attacks are becoming more common. This is costing businesses millions of dollars, not just in wasted time, but also in lost revenue. “Bad actors are constantly developing new tricks, using phishing, smishing and quishing, making it harder even for the best security systems to stop them,” Truckstop said. “And falling victim can result in financial loss, data breaches, and operational disruptions. As these scams get extremely good at looking like “the real thing” and become difficult to identify, it’s critical to educate yourself. Being able to consistently detect phishing emails in your inbox, smishing texts on your smartphone, and quishing QR codes that seem legitimate is key to protecting you and your business.” What are common cyber scams? Phishing Phishing is a scam where cybercriminals try to steal your sensitive information, like account numbers or passwords. They do this by sending fake emails or creating fake websites that look like they are from a legitimate company or a trusted person. Once they have the information, they can use it to hack into accounts and intercept or redirect funds or payments, leaving the victim holding the bag and cleaning up a financial mess. In phishing emails, the cybercriminal might ask for the following: Date of birth Social Security number Phone number Home address Credit card details Log in details Passwords or other information to reset a password The information can be used to impersonate you, allowing scammers to apply for credit cards, or loans, open a bank account or commit other cybercrime. Phishing happens when a victim acts on a fraudulent email that requires urgent action and/or asks you to do something, including: Click an attachment. Update a password. Respond to a contact request via social media. Connect to a new Wi-Fi hotspot. Smishing According to Truckstop, smishing is a cyber attack that uses deceptive mobile text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive personal information, or sending money—all with the intent to steal from you. Just like email-based phishing attacks, these messages appear to be from trusted sources, and they create a sense of urgency, curiosity or fear to manipulate users into taking an undesired action. An example of smishing might be a text message alerting of a suspicious transaction, urging you to take some sort of action like verifying your account. Other common tactics include: Tech support scams – Users get a message warning them about a problem with their device or account requesting they contact a tech support number. Calling this number can lead to charges, or the “technician” might request remote access to the device, leading to data theft. Service cancellation alerts—The fraudster warns the victim that a subscription or service is about to be canceled due to a payment issue. The recipient is urged to click on a link to “resolve” the issue, which usually leads to a phishing page. Malicious app downloads – Scammers might send a text message promoting a supposedly useful or entertaining app. Clicking the download link in the message actually installs malicious software on your device. Quishing Quishing is a scam that uses fake QR codes to lure unsuspecting victims into visiting malicious websites or downloading harmful software, according to Truckstop. With people more comfortable using QR codes post-pandemic, quishing presents a significant risk. These scams also often bypass traditional security measures, such as email filters and antivirus software, making them particularly hard to detect. Cybercriminals may embed malicious QR codes in various places, such as: Emails that appear to come from trusted sources. Physical locations like public advertisements or parking tickets. When scanned, these codes redirect victims to phishing websites that prompt them to download malware. Quishing can lead to identity theft, unauthorized payments, and data breaches. Common quishing tactics: Fake payment requests: Scammers may place fraudulent QR codes on invoices or parking tickets that request payment. Identity theft: Codes may lead to malicious login pages that capture your usernames and passwords to access your account information. Malware distribution: Some QR codes can initiate automatic downloads of harmful software onto a device. This can be used to steal sensitive information, damage a device, or spy on your internet activity. Why the freight industry is a target for scammers The freight industry is particularly vulnerable to these types of fraud for two reasons. Big Payouts: These scams can be very profitable for criminals. If they can steal login information from carriers, brokers, or shippers, they can impersonate legitimate companies and steal payments made during transactions. Fast-Paced Communication: Freight involves a lot of communication via email and text messages. This includes everything from updates on shipments to price negotiations and payments. People in the freight industry are used to this constant communication, which makes them more susceptible to clicking on malicious links or giving away information in phishing attempts. If you’re not careful, you can unsuspectingly click on a link or divulge information that could lead to an attack. Watch out for these red flags It is difficult to tell a legitimate message from a scam, but there are red flags that should alert you that a message may be fraudulent. Here are ways to identify suspicious emails or texts: Unusual Content: Be wary of any emails, text messages, or QR codes that seem out of place, irrelevant, unexpected, or unsolicited. Unknown Senders: Phishing and smishing messages tend to come from unknown senders (although scammers are very good at making the “sent from” look like a legitimate source). Be wary of messages from people or addresses you don’t recognize. Strange Requests: Be suspicious if a message offers something unexpected, asks for personal information you wouldn’t normally share, or seems demanding. Urgent Requests: Be wary of messages pushing you to respond quickly. How to safely check email and text links If an email or text seems suspicious, there are ways you can confirm legitimacy safely. Here are a few ways to check for emails and text links safely. Hover over the email link or check the URL from a QR code to see if it reveals anything unusual. If it seems irregular or points you to a site that you’re not familiar with, beware, and err on the side of caution by not clicking on the link. If the message is asking for personal information from you, your first line of defense is to be suspicious. Unknown sources that demand your personal information, passwords, or payment information should always be investigated with caution. If the message creates a sense of urgency or fear, it’s best to do your due diligence. Watch for grammatical errors. Phishing and smishing messages often contain misspelled words or language irregularities, signaling that they originate from bad actors in other countries. Security best practices Phishing and smishing scams are a constant threat for carriers and brokers, but by following these steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to one. Verify the sender’s identity before clicking links or opening attachments. Inspect the “from” address carefully for discrepancies or irregularities. Be cautious of unsolicited offers or prize notifications. Never share sensitive information through email or text. Report suspicious messages to your IT department or relevant authorities. Use strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and enhanced security tools available to you. Validate the domain authenticity before clicking on any links or entering personal credentials. (For example, confirm you are visiting Truckstop.com and NOT info-truckstop.com or Truckstop.blog.) If you suspect a cyber crime, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, the central hub for reporting these types of scams. It’s monitored by the FBI and contains educational resources on the latest and most threatening cyber scams. Securing your business online and on the road “We’ve gone the extra mile to keep your business safe with our advanced security measures: identity verification and multi-factor authentication,” Truckstop said. “Identity verification validates the identity of anyone who attempts to log in on behalf of a carrier by matching their government-issued ID against a real-time selfie. MFA provides yet another layer of protection against potentially compromised credentials while enabling seamless access across Truckstop products. Cybercriminals keep inventing new ways to trick people and steal their information. Here at Truckstop, we’ve got your back. We’re constantly developing new security features for the load board to fight fraudsters and keep your business safe. With Truckstop, you can focus on what matters most – running your business with confidence.”

EPA awards $135 million to California to phase out big diesel trucks

SAN FRANCISCO — The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $135 million in grants to fund 13 projects in California to help the state wean off fossil fuels and phase out big rigs that run on diesel. The money will go to the state transportation department, cities and school districts, among others, to purchase 455 zero-emission vehicles to replace diesel-powered trucks, school buses and other large vehicles. It is part of an EPA program that provides a total of $735 million to 70 projects across the country, officials announced Wednesday, Dec. 11. The grants are paid for by the 2022 climate law approved by congressional Democrats. The law, officially known as the Inflation Reduction Act, includes nearly $400 billion in spending and tax credits to accelerate the expansion of clean energy such as wind and solar power, speeding the nation’s transition away from the oil, coal and natural gas that largely cause climate change. The funds, to be delivered in early 2025, “will reduce air pollution, improve health outcomes in nearby communities, and advance the campaign to tackle climate change,” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said in a statement. California and local agencies will have the next two to three years to implement the grants for zero-emission trucks. Nationwide, the transportation sector contributes the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions annually, according to the EPA, with medium- and heavy-duty trucks contributing nearly a quarter of those emissions. Heavy-duty vehicles make up about 3% of vehicles on the road in California, but they generate more than half of nitrogen oxides and fine-particle diesel pollution, according to the California Air Resources Board. That’s because these trucks have diesel engines that, while more powerful, produce more pollution than gasoline engines. They also travel many more miles than passenger vehicles. California is trying to rid itself of fossil fuels, passing new rules in recent years to phase out fossil fuel-powered cars, trucks, trains and lawn equipment in the nation’s most populous state. But those rules still require waivers from the EPA, which typically sets standards for emissions from passenger cars, trucks and other vehicles. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom last month, in anticipation of the incoming presidency of Donald Trump, traveled to Washington urge the Biden administration to grant waivers to eight climate rules, including those on zero-emission vehicles and emission standards for pollutants. The issues have been targeted in the past by President-elect Trump.

UPS semi driver who crashed while drinking beer is not entitled to workers compensation for his injuries

DOVER, Del. — A UPS driver who crashed his truck after downing several beers while driving is not entitled to workers’ compensation for his injuries, a Delaware judge has ruled. Superior Court Judge Kathleen Vavala ruled late last week that Delaware’s Industrial Accident Board abused its discretion and erred as a matter of law in awarding compensation to Timothy Willis. “Voluntary intoxication while working deviates from the ordinary course of employment,” the judge noted, saying the board’s decision “exceeded the bounds of reason.” Willis crashed his semi-truck into a guardrail in Baltimore County, Maryland, in June 2021. He began his shift the night before in Delaware and drove to Pennsylvania before heading to Maryland to drop off the trailer portion of his rig. Willis was headed back to Delaware to drop off the semi-cab before driving home to New Jersey when he barreled into a guardrail at about 4 a.m. “Willis typically packs a cooler of beers to celebrate the end of his shift while driving back home; but on the day of the crash, he started early,” Vavala wrote, noting that Willis admitted drinking three beers. “Willis admitted he usually drinks beer and drives on the way home from work; attended AA meetings to curb his drinking; and was drinking and driving sometime before the crash,” the judge noted. Responding officers saw Willis throwing several beer cans out of the truck. Officers said he was slurring his speech, sweating profusely, smelled of alcohol and had defecated on himself. Officers found an open can of Miller Lite on the running board of the truck, two cans on the ground, and another in the cooler. Willis refused to perform field sobriety checks, but two blood tests taken hours later registered blood alcohol levels of 0.19 and 0.181, both more than twice the legal limit. He was charged with drunken driving but avoided a formal conviction by entering a “probation before judgment” agreement. The Industrial Accident Board refused to consider the blood alcohol tests because they were not properly authenticated. It also excluded statements Willis made during his Maryland court hearing. Board members then awarded Willis compensation, saying the accident occurred at a time and place where he was reasonably expected to be while working. They also concluded that violation of UPS’s zero-tolerance alcohol policy did not in itself mean the accident was “outside the course and scope of employment.” They also said UPS failed to demonstrate that Willis was intoxicated at the time. The board noted that the alcohol in question was light beer with lower alcohol content compared to other beers and that it was unclear when he had been drinking. The board also lent some credence to Willis’ claim that he crashed after swerving to avoid a deer. Vavala said the board correctly noted that Willis had not been convicted of DUI and it correctly excluded the breathalyzer results. She determined, however, that the board abused its discretion in prohibiting cross-examination of Willis about statements he made during his Maryland plea hearing. She also said the board erred in finding that Willis was acting within the course and scope of his employment when he crashed. “A truck driver cannot reasonably drink, nor is he expected to drink, alcohol while operating a semi-trailer weighing thousands of pounds on curving back roads at close to four in the morning,” Vavala wrote. “Such conduct not only violates company policy — it is also prohibited by law.” “Finally, to affirm the board’s decision would set a dangerous precedent that employees can get away with driving impaired on the job — as long as it’s light beer — despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary,” Vavala concluded. The judge’s ruling did not indicate Willis’ employment status with UPS.

Fleetworthy’s 2025 Trucking and Fleet Insights Report sounds alarm on trucking industry’s biggest hurdles

ALBANY, N.Y. —  Fleetworthy’s 2025 Trucking and Fleet Insights Report reveals key challenges fleets and owner-operators face in regard to compliance, safety and administrative-related tasks. “With regulations in our industry constantly changing, fleets and owner-operators are spending a lot of time and money ensuring their trucks and company are staying compliant,” said Michael Precia, Fleetworthy president and chief strategy officer. “In many cases, keeping up with compliance-related tasks hampers a trucking company’s ability to grow its business. In fact, 95% of all respondents in this report said compliance challenges are holding fleets and owner-operators back from growing their businesses and offering new services. This report provides a great look into what compliance, safety, and other administrative challenges fleets are faced with and how they’re responding to them.” According to a company press release, the report, which surveyed 300 U.S.-based employees of large (500+ vehicles) and midsize (50-500 vehicles) trucking companies and owner-operators (single truck operators), provides a glimpse into some of the greatest business administration pain points fleets and owner-operators face daily. The report found that the increasing costs and administrative tasks required for trucking companies to maintain compliance and run efficiently are major issues impacting operations. Key findings include: 96% of respondents reported reducing costs in other areas of their business to cover compliance-related expenses over the past 12 months. 93% of respondents face significant challenges in managing tolls, including the complexity of multiple transponders and unpredictable toll expenses. 35% of owner-operators said they have considered ceasing operations due to rising costs and time required to manage compliance tasks. According to the report, the possibility of a nuclear verdict in the event of a significant accident or legal dispute is a top concern. This is especially the case for midsize and small trucking operations that have more limited resources and capabilities to maintain robust compliance records and safety programs. In the report, 35% of leaders at midsize fleets reported being very or extremely concerned about being involved in a nuclear verdict case. Despite concerns regarding nuclear verdicts, 93% of all fleet leaders surveyed believe their organization has a strong safety culture and is well informed on all DOT regulations. Among owner-operators, 97% thought they were more aware of safety and compliance best practices and DOT regulations compared to other independent truckers on the road. To assist with fleet and driver safety, the report found an overwhelming majority of all respondents (96%) have made some type of investment in safety equipment in the past 12 months. In addition, in-cab cameras and monitoring systems are among the top (51%) of equipment fleet and owner-operators are adding. For more insight on compliance, safety, and administrative trends impacting commercial fleets and owner-operators, download the 2025 Trucking and Fleet Insights Report at https://fleetworthy.com/resources/the-road-ahead-2025-trucking-and-fleet-insights-report/.

Missouri companies sue to stop a law that raises minimum wage and requires paid sick leave

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri business groups announced Monday that they have filed a lawsuit to try to stop a voter-approved law that will raise the state’s minimum wage and require employers to give workers paid sick leave. The powerful Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, restaurant and grocers associations say the law violates a state constitutional requirement that ballot measures only address one issue because it included the minimum wage increase and paid sick leave. The law will increase the state’s minimum wage from the current $12.30 an hour to $13.75 in January and $15 in 2026. It gives workers up to seven paid sick days per year starting in May. Leaders of the minimum-wage campaign said businesses are trying to undo the will of voters. “Missouri’s working class, in lockstep with allies across the state, went to the ballot box on Nov. 5 to overwhelmingly voice our need for paid sick days and fair wages in a free and fair election,” said Terrence Wise, of the Fight for 15. “It’s sickening to me that corporations are trying to steal our victory away and quiet the will of the voters who made this win possible.” The business groups asked the Missouri Supreme Court to find the law unconstitutional. “While Proposition A is bad policy and will have extreme and detrimental effects on Missouri’s businesses, that is not the basis of this action,” the petition states. “Instead, the election irregularities and the constitutional violations are so significant that the election results must be overturned and Proposition A must be declared invalid.” Missouri was among a several states where the minimum wage or sick leave was on the ballot this year. Alaska voters approved a similar measure, while voters in California rejected an effort to raise the minimum wage for most workers to $18 an hour. In Arizona, voters rejected a measure that would have allowed businesses to pay tipped workers 25% less than the minimum wage, provided that tips pushed their total pay above the minimum wage. In Massachusetts, voters defeated a measure that would have gradually raised the minimum wage for tipped employees until it matches the rate for other employees. Nebraska voters approved a measure to require many employers to provide sick leave, but it will not change wages. Business groups also argue that Missouri voters were misled about how much the law will cost local governments and which companies and workers it will apply to. For example, government employees and workers at businesses that make less than $500,000 a year are exempt from the paid sick leave entitlements. A short summary of the ballot measure provided to voters did not describe all exempt employees. No hearings have been scheduled yet for the lawsuit.

FMCSA secures major court victory against rogue moving company

WASHINGTON —  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has won a landmark judgment against a household goods moving company for unauthorized transportation of household goods, in violation of FMCSA’s registration requirements. “Families deserve to know that their possessions are in safe hands when they’re moving to a new home, and this Department has taken action against carriers that are not fulfilling their end of the deal,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The judgment we’re announcing today is an important step forward in holding moving companies and brokers accountable for deceptive practices, and we will continue to use our authority to protect consumers everywhere we can.” According to a FMCSA press release, 0n Sep. 11, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a final judgment against USA Logistics, Inc., ordering the company to pay $25,000 in fines to resolve multiple violations of FMCSA statutes and regulations. The final judgment stems from a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of Secretary Buttigieg, against USA Logistics for repeated unauthorized transportation of household goods. As part of the final judgment, USA Logistics admitted all violations and agreed to obey the law in the future. The FMCSA continues to strengthen state partnerships and take other actions to better protect consumers when they are moving household goods across state lines. “We want carriers to know that there can be major consequences when federal regulations are not followed,” said Vinn White,  FMCSA Deputy Administrator. “We use the full scope of our current authority to stop bad actors, and we were proud to partner with DOJ on this important case.” The release noted that FMCSA hosted a Commercial Enforcement and Consumer Protection (CECP) course in November for state attorney general personnel to highlight consumer protection issues in the transportation of household goods and enforcement options available to address these practices. The CECP course builds on FMCSA’s work to focus agency resources on addressing moving complaints and conducting Operation Protect Your Move – an annual deployment of dozens of FMCSA investigators across the country to crack down on moving companies with the most egregious complaints in the agency’s National Consumer Complaint Database. The 2024 Operation resulted in 60 investigations and over 30 enforcement actions. In other recent developments related to consumer protection in household goods, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a bipartisan bill in September to expand FMCSA’s available enforcement tools by providing the agency with explicit authority to assess civil penalties for violations of commercial regulations, including household goods consumer protection requirements, and to withhold registration from applicants failing to provide verification details demonstrating that they intend to operate legitimate businesses. To learn more about how FMCSA is working to protect household goods consumers, visit www.protectyourmove.gov for updates.

Trump says he can’t guarantee tariffs won’t raise US prices; promises swift action on immigration

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can’t guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, Dec. 8, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices. Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists’ predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won’t be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That’s a different approach from Trump’s typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are “going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. “All I want to do is, I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. Swift action on immigration is coming. Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine. Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that.” At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it … so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump’s inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI. The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell’s term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump’s pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance. Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We’re not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added that “we’re not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better healthcare for less money.” By Bill Barrow and Will Weissert. Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.

Connecticut DOT announces plans for expanded truck parking

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is stepping up its parking game. The DOT announced Friday, Dec. 6, that it has launched a $31 million statewide project aimed at expanding truck parking facilities at five key locations across the state. “This project addresses a longstanding challenge within the trucking industry,” the release stated. Those needs include more truck parking spaces to support drivers’ safety and operational efficiency. The first phase of the project is underway at the Middletown rest area on Interstate 91 northbound. That particular $3.8 million expansion will add 11 new truck parking spaces, increasing capacity at this location by more than 40%, according to CTDOT. By the end of the decade, CTDOT plans to add more than 180 new truck parking spaces across the five locations in Middletown, Madison, Southington, Southbury, and Vernon. The parking capacity at these sites will increase by more than 300%, significantly improving safety and accessibility for truck drivers throughout the state. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard truckers loud and clear when they called for more places to safely park on state highways,” said CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We are excited to begin these projects to improve safety for the trucking community, which keeps our economy moving.” “The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut (MTAC) wholeheartedly applauds Commissioner Eucalitto and the Connecticut Department of Transportation for addressing the truck parking shortage issue head on,” said MTAC President John Blair. “The truck parking shortage has plagued the trucking industry for decades, and the consequences of insufficient capacity are as wide ranging as they are severe. The scarcity of truck parking spaces across the country decreases safety for all highway users, exacerbates the industry longstanding workforce challenges, diminishes trucking productivity, and results in unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. The effort here in Connecticut will undoubtedly make our roads safer.” “In Connecticut and nationally, truck parking shortages are a major safety concern,” said John McAvoy, division administrator for the Federal Highway Administration’s Connecticut Division. “With the projected growth in e-commerce and truck traffic, the demand for truck parking will continue to outpace the supply of public and private parking facilities and will only increase the truck parking problems experienced in Connecticut. It is essential that commercial truck drivers have access to safe, secure and accessible truck parking.” CTDOT says Connecticut’s freight transportation system supports more than 451,000 jobs and producing $50.5 billion annually in gross regional product. The statewide truck parking expansion project will be completed in phases over the next few years, significantly improving the availability of safe and secure parking for truck drivers throughout Connecticut. These projects are fully covered by state funds.

Proposed drug testing procedure requires ‘observed’ urine sample collection in some cases

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing to revise its testing procedures rule in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, providing interim provisions to require directly observed urine tests in situations where oral fluid tests are currently required but oral fluid testing is not yet available. According to the Federal Register posting, the proposed changes to the procedures are to “address unforeseen circumstances rendering it impossible to comply with requirements in the final rule.” Comments on the current proposal, Docket ID No. DOT-OST-2021-0093, can be posted online regulations.gov. After receiving negative comments, the DOT on Aug. 1, 2024, published a notice in the Federal Register withdrawing a direct final rule (DFR) that was published on June 21 regarding procedures for transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing programs.  In May 2023, the DOT announced changes to the program to allow for the inclusion of oral fluid testing. The DFR was not intended to replace current drug testing collection methods but to add to the choices employers and drivers have when taking an agency-issued test.  The final rule, established June 21, 2024, stated that the DOT would be making a series of technical amendments to its drug testing procedures rule, which was effective June 1. According to the DOT, the purpose of the technical amendments was “to clarify certain provisions of the rule and address omissions of which we have become aware since the publication of the final rule.” The original proposed rule stated that the USDOT was proposing to revise its drug and alcohol testing procedures to provide temporary qualification requirements for mock oral fluid monitors, provide for consistent privacy requirements by identifying which individuals may be present during an oral fluid collection, and clarify how collectors are to specify that a sufficient volume of oral fluid is collected.   In a notice posted to the Federal Register on Dec. 6, the DOT said that in the May 2023 Final Rule, “we required an oral fluid test to be conducted in certain circumstances where an observed collection is required. However, because oral fluid testing is not yet available, DOT proposes to amend DOT’s regulations to require the conduct of directly observed urine collections in those circumstances for an interim period. This rulemaking would correct the inadvertent factual impossibility created by the May 2023 Final Rule.” According to the notice, DOT regulations require that a collection be directly observed in certain circumstances, e.g., if the original sample was invalid without adequate medical explanation or the test is for a return to duty. In the May 2023 Final Rule, DOT codified a procedure requiring the directly observed collection to be an oral fluid test rather than a urine test in certain situations. However, oral fluid testing cannot be implemented until the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) certifies at least two laboratories, one to serve as a primary laboratory, and a second to serve as a split specimen laboratory. Because no oral fluid laboratories have been certified, it is not yet possible to comply with this provision. In the interim, it is necessary to ensure that directly observed collections can still be conducted when required. DOT proposes to require directly observed urine collections in the situations specified in § 40.67(g)(3) if an oral fluid collection is not yet available. “We emphasize that the responsibility of ensuring the collection takes place has always been a requirement the employer must satisfy. If a directly observed urine collection is required, the burden – as is currently the case – remains on the employer to provide an observer as specified in § 40.67(g) if the collection site cannot do so,” the DOT said in the notice. “We intend this provision to require directly observed urine tests in situations where an oral fluid collection is required, but is not yet available, to be a temporary, short-term solution because there are currently no certified oral fluid laboratories.” Phase II of the Clearinghouse went into effect Nov. 18, 2024, resulting in CDL downgrades or revocations for numerous professional drivers who were operating in a “prohibited” status.

Semi crash on Ohio off-ramp seriously injures deputy, one other

DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — According to a Columbus, Ohio television station, authorities are investigating a serious crash involving a semi and a car early Thursday morning, Dec. 6, on the off-ramp of I-71 southbound, near SR-37. WSYX television reported that the accident happened shortly after 4 a.m. Deputies say that a semi-truck driven by 51-year-old Stephanie Cardenaz and a Toyota Camry driven by 64-year-old Patrick O’Neal collided. According to the report, O’Neal’s Camry was disabled on the side of the road after a previous, unrelated crash on I-71 southbound. Two Delaware County Sheriff’s cruisers were on scene with their cruiser lights active, assisting O’Neal, when Cardenaz lost control of the semi. The semi then struck a Delaware County Sheriff’s deputy and O’Neal’s Toyota Camry. The deputy who was hit, who’s been identified as 27-year-old Nickolas Golden, as well as O’Neal, were taken to Grant Medical Center with serious injuries. A friend of Cardenaz told WSYX that she sought treatment at a local hospital for back pain after leaving the crash scene.