The Nation Archives

Severe Texas storm flips an RV, killing 1 and injuring a family

The Associated Press - March 10, 2025

ENNIS, Texas (AP) — One man died and three of his family members were injured when their RV flipped over several times at the Texas Motorplex during a strong thunderstorm that caused widespread damage in an area about 25 minutes south of Dallas on Saturday. Strong winds of up to 90 mph (145 kph) ripped the roof off a Days Inn along Interstate 45, damaged homes throughout Ellis County and toppled at least seven semitractor-trailer trucks on Interstate 35. The strong storms also knocked out power to nearly 20,000 people, but didn’t generate any tornadoes. Fewer than 300 customers remained without power Sunday evening, but service was expected to be restored by the end of the day. Some quarter-sized hail also fell in the area. Becky Hogle, who works the front desk at the damaged hotel, told the Dallas Morning News that she and the owner moved quickly to evacuate everyone after the storm hit and opened up many of the second-floor rooms to the sky. “So I pulled my hair up in a scrunchie, ran over and we started knocking on doors telling people they had to vacate,” she said Sunday. The 42-year-old man who died was T.J. Bailey from Midlothian, Texas. His wife and two sons were inside an RV that rolled over at the racetrack, Ellis County Justice of the Peace Chris Macon told The Dallas Morning News. Bailey’s family members were treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The boys were released, but their mother remained under observation at the hospital Sunday.

Authorities: Armed man shot by Secret Service near White House while Trump out of town

The Associated Press - March 9, 2025

WASHINGTON — An armed man believed to be traveling from Indiana was shot by U.S. Secret Service agents near the White House after a confrontation early Sunday, according to authorities. No one else was injured in the shooting that happened around midnight about a block from the White House, according to a Secret Service statement. President Donald Trump was in Florida at the time of the shooting. The Secret Service received information from local police about an alleged “suicidal individual” who was traveling from Indiana and found the man’s car and a person matching his description nearby. “As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm and an armed confrontation ensued, during which shots were fired by our personnel,” the Secret Service said in a statement. The man was hospitalized. The Secret Service said his condition was “unknown.” The Metropolitan Police Department will investigate because the shooting involved law enforcement officers. A message left Sunday for the police department wasn’t immediately returned.

Mexican cartel leader’s son is sentenced to life in prison for role in major drug trafficking plot

The Associated Press - March 9, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — The son of a Mexican drug cartel boss was sentenced Friday to life in prison for helping his father run one of the country’s largest and most violent narcotics trafficking organizations. Rubén Oseguera, known as El Menchito, is the son of fugitive Jalisco New Generation cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera. The son served as the CJNG cartel’s second-in-command for seven years before his extradition to the U.S. in February 2020. The younger Oseguera faced a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 40 years in prison when U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell sentenced him in Washington, D.C. One of the 35-year-old Oseguera’s defense attorneys asked for a 40-year prison sentence, noting his client was only 14 when he was recruited to join his family’s drug trafficking operation. “You weren’t a child when you were committing all these crimes, and you won’t be sentenced as a child here,” the judge told Oseguera. Oseguera ordered the killings of at least 100 people, personally killed at least six people and ordered subordinates to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter, killing at least nine people, in May 2015, according to prosecutors. “This defendant helped build Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion into a brutal terrorist organization that pumps poison onto our streets and commits horrific acts of violence,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. Howell also ordered Oseguera to forfeit over $6 billion in proceeds from the cartel’s drug trafficking. Oseguera declined to address the court before the judge imposed his sentence. He briefly conferred with his attorney before he was led out of the courtroom. Howell said Oseguera deserved to be called a “drug kingpin.” “Your criminal actions are among the most serious that our drug laws are designed to address,” Howell told him. In September, a federal jury convicted Oseguera of conspiring to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine for U.S. importation and using a firearm in a drug conspiracy. Justice Department prosecutor Jonathan Hornok called Oseguera a “mass murderer” as he recommended sentencing him to two life sentences — one for each count of conviction. In 2015, he killed five bound men who owed him money by slashing their throats with a knife, then asked for a clean shirt, according to prosecutors. Days later, they said, Oseguera shot and killed one of his drivers when the man did not repark a vehicle quickly enough. The helicopter that Oseguera ordered to be shot down was pursuing him and his father, who remains at large. A reward of up to $15 million has been offered for information leading to the father’s arrest or conviction. Jurors heard testimony that the younger Oseguera was personally responsible for trafficking cocaine and producing methamphetamine in total amounts worth over $12 billion. “Simply put, this is a historically severe drug offense,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing. Oseguera initially signed a plea agreement with the government but ultimately elected to go to trial instead. Defense attorney Anthony Colombo said Oseguera grew up in “an unstable environment wrought with violence and corruption.” “Mr. Oseguera is as much as anyone both a product and a victim of that environment,” Colombo wrote.

Economic worries mount as Trump implements tariffs, cuts workforce and freezes spending

The Associated Press - March 8, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — With his flurry of tariffs, government layoffs and spending freezes, there are growing worries President Donald Trump may be doing more to harm the U.S. economy than to fix it. The labor market remains healthy with a 4.1% unemployment rate and 151,000 jobs added in February, and Trump likes to point to investment commitments by Apple and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to show that he’s delivering results. But Friday’s employment report also found that the number of people stuck working part-time because of economic circumstances jumped by 460,000 last month. In the leisure and hospitality sectors that reflect consumers having extra money to spend, 16,000 jobs were lost. And the federal government reduced its payrolls by 10,000 in a potential harbinger of the alarm being sounded by the stock market, consumer confidence and other measures of where the economy is headed. Since January, the economic policy uncertainty index has spiked 41% to a level, 334.5, that in the past signaled a recession. Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford University economist and co-developer of the uncertainty index, said it’s unclear how this will play out, but he’s worried. “I have an increasing fear we will enter into what may become known as the ‘Trump recession,’” he said. “Ongoing policy turbulence and a tariff war could tip the U.S. economy into its first recession in five years.” That last recession occurred under Trump because of the coronavirus pandemic. For his part, Trump seems comfortable with the uncertainty that he’s generating, saying that any financial pain from import taxes is a mere “disruption” that will eventually lead to more factories relocating to the United States and stronger growth. If Trump’s gambit succeeds, the Republican would cement his reputation as an unconventional leader who proved doubters wrong. But if Trump’s tariffs backfire, much of the price would be paid by everyday Americans who could suffer from job losses, lower wages, higher inflation and, possibly, an injured sense of national pride. In an interview to air Sunday on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Trump was pressed to provide some clarity on his tariffs agenda that has caused uncertainty to fester. The president largely hedged his answer and blamed the 6% drop in the stock market over the past two weeks on “big globalists.” “You know, the tariffs could go up as time goes by, and they may go up and, you know, I don’t know if it’s predictability,” the president said. The White House maintains that Friday’s jobs report showed the administration’s strategy is working because manufacturers added 10,000 jobs. Of the manufacturing gains, 8,900 jobs came from the auto sector, recovering some of the industry’s job losses in January. The White House also suggested that the loss of leisure and hospitality jobs was the result of flu season and people having depleted savings and credit card debt because of President Joe Biden’s term. “I thought it was a really, really impressive jobs report,” Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said of Friday’s numbers. Hassett said the additional factory jobs were the result of companies “on-shoring” work because of the coming tariffs. “This is the first of many reports that are going to look like this,” Hassett said with regard to the hiring in the industrial sector. The stock market selloff raises doubts about whether tariffs will create the promised jobs. “Markets anticipate,” said John Silvia, CEO of Dynamic Economic Strategy. “The turn down the dark alley of tariffs signals higher inflation, slower economic growth and a weaker U.S. dollar. It is an economic horror movie in slow motion.” Trump has instigated a trade war in the last week with Canada, Mexico and China, only to then hit a monthlong pause on some of his import taxes because of the threat to U.S. auto factory jobs and because of Mexico’s latest efforts to curb fentanyl smuggling. More tariffs are coming on April 2 for Europe, Trump says, possibly putting the United States into open conflict with a continent it helped rebuild after World War II. South Korea, India and Brazil could also face new tariffs, Trump said in his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. Silvia said Trump’s tariffs need to be more targeted with regard to products and nations and set at lower rates, adding that doing so would provide an assurance that there is solid research backing the measures. There were multiple signs of uncertainty and concerns about the tariffs in the Federal Reserve’s beige book, a collection of anecdotes from hundreds of businesses that the Fed releases eight times a year. Published Wednesday, the beige book included 47 references to uncertainty, up from just 17 in the previous edition in January. “Many businesses noted heightened economic uncertainty and expressed concern about tariffs,” the Fed’s New York branch reported. “Looking ahead, businesses were notably less optimistic.” “This is the perfect storm for businesses,” said Brian Bethune, an economist at Boston College. “How can you possibly plan anything in this environment?” Still, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday on CNBC that he sees positive momentum in combating inflation. He said crude oil prices have fallen since Trump’s inauguration, as have the interest rates on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes and mortgages. Still, interest rates on government debt are higher than they were last year in September, and the recent decline could reflect a slowdown in economic demand. Bessent suggested a core problem is that the U.S. economy has become overly reliant on government deficits and that the Trump administration would be fostering stronger growth in the private sector. “We’ve become addicted to this government spending, and there’s going to be a detox period,” he said. This particular form of economic rehab is coming from Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, which is led by T-shirted tech mogul Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, X and SpaceX, among other companies. The alleged savings by DOGE are still too paltry to bend the troubling trajectory of the national debt that is largely being driven by tax revenues that are insufficient to cover the rising costs of Social Security and Medicare. But the initiative has started to downsize the federal workforce in ways that could surface in future jobs reports. Roughly 75,000 employees took the deferred resignation plan. There are also thousands of probationary federal workers who were fired and tens of thousands of layoffs to come based on the administration’s plans. Asked Friday in the Oval Office if the government layoffs could hurt the overall labor market, Trump said the economy would be great. “I think the labor market is going to be fantastic, but it’s going to have high-paying manufacturing jobs,” he said. ”We had too many people in government. You can’t just do that.”

FMCSA names Adrienne Camire as acting administrator

Dana Guthrie - March 7, 2025

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is announcing the Presidential appointment of Adrienne Camire as deputy administrator and acting administrator of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). “I am pleased to welcome Adrienne Camire as Acting Administrator of FMCSA,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. “Ms. Camire is a dedicated leader who brings executive experience, vision, and a strong commitment to safety. I have no doubt FMCSA will continue to make our roads safer and keep America moving under her leadership.” Previous Service Camire previously served as Chief Counsel for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) during President Trump’s first term, where she oversaw all legal services related to FHWA’s management of the Federal-aid highway program. Ms. Camire has over 20 years of legal, regulatory and compliance experience within the private and academic sectors. “Thank you to President Trump and Secretary Duffy for their confidence in me to serve in this role,” Camire said. “I am honored to lead FMCSA in its mission to prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes, fatalities, and injuries on our Nation’s roads. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to advance our shared safety goals,” Camire earned a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Brandeis University and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.

Former Olympian makes FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list

Dana Guthrie - March 7, 2025

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A former Canadian Olympian wanted for murder and using bigs rigs to smuggle drugs has been named to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list. As The Trucker reported in October 2024, Ryan Wedding, 43, an Olympic snowboarder, is wanted for running a transnational drug enterprise and ordering several murders. HIs inclusion in the list was announced in a press conference on Thursday by Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge (ADIC) of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. Davis was joined by law enforcement partners with the United States Department of State, Royal Canadian Mounted Police–Federal Policing, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration–Los Angeles and the United States Attorney’s Office–Central District of California. Olympian Gone Bad Wedding, whose aliases include “El Jefe,” “Giant,” “Public Enemy,” “James Conrad King,” and “Jesse King,” was born in Thunder Bay, Canada, and competed in the Giant Slalom snowboarding competition during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wedding is wanted for allegedly running a transnational drug trafficking network that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada and other locations in the United States, and for orchestrating multiple murders and an attempted murder in furtherance of these drug crimes, according to an FBI media release. Wedding’s placement on the top ten list marks the 535th addition to the FBI’s list of notorious fugitives. Wedding will replace Alexis Flores who is wanted by FBI Philadelphia. Although Flores is being removed from the list, he will remain on the FBI’s website on its Most Wanted page. From Shredding Powder to Selling It “Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada,” Davis said. “The alleged murders of his competitors make Wedding a very dangerous man, and his addition to the list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, coupled with a major reward offer by the State Department, will make the public our partner so that we can catch up with him before he puts anyone else in danger.” $10 Million Reward The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to Wedding’s arrest and/or conviction. The reward was authorized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP), which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice. This reward offering supplements the FBI’s current offering of $50,000 for information leading to Wedding’s apprehension, arrest, and extradition, and further, is jointly being offered with assistance from the Canadian and Mexican governments as part of a unified effort to bring Wedding to justice. Committed to Protecting Americans “The Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Ryan James Wedding,” said F. Cartwright Weiland, senior bureau official of the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). “We are committed to protecting American communities from thugs who, with clear consciences, deliberately peddle illicit narcotics and prey on our youth. Background In June 2024, Wedding and his second-in-command Andrew Clark, 34, also Canadian, were charged in an indictment out of the Central District of California with running a continuing criminal enterprise; committing murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and assorted drug crimes; and conspiring to possess, distribute, and export cocaine. Clark, who was arrested last October by Mexican authorities, was among the 29 fugitives whom Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced had arrived in the United States from Mexico last week. In September 2024, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles returned a superseding indictment naming 14 additional defendants and including, among other counts, an attempted murder charge against Wedding and Clark. The superseding indictment alleges that Wedding, Clark, and others conspired to ship bulk quantities of cocaine—weighing hundreds of kilograms—from Southern California to Canada through a Canada-based drug transportation network run by Hardeep Ratte, 46, of Ontario, Canada, and Gurpreet Singh, 31, of Ontario, Canada, from approximately January 2024 to August 2024. The cocaine shipments were transported from Mexico to the Los Angeles area, where the cocaine trafficking organization’s operatives stored the cocaine in stash houses, before delivering it to the transportation network couriers for delivery to Canada using long-haul semi-trucks. Flooding Streets with Narcotics “As alleged in the superseding indictment, defendant Ryan Wedding—a former Olympian—led a transnational criminal organization that murdered innocent people and put thousands of kilograms of narcotics on our streets,” said Joseph T. McNally, acting United States Attorney. “The reward offered today will help bring this defendant to justice in the United States. We urge anyone with information about Wedding to contact law enforcement and help us get Mr. Wedding into custody.” Violent Murders The superseding indictment also alleges that Wedding and Clark’s organization resorted to violence—including multiple murders—to achieve its aims. Wedding and Clark allegedly directed the November 20, 2023, murders of two members of a family in Ontario, Canada, in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment that passed through Southern California. Another member of that family survived the shooting but was left with serious physical injuries. Wedding and Clark allegedly also ordered the murder of another victim on May 18, 2024, over a drug debt. In addition, Clark and Malik Damion Cunningham, 23, a dual Canadian-American citizen, are charged with the April 1, 2024, murder of another victim in Ontario, Canada. “The RCMP is committed to working with our international partners in the fight against transnational criminals,” said Liam Price, director general, Royal Canadian Mounted Police International program. “It’s imperative that Ryan Wedding faces justice for the charges against him. We will continue to stand with and support our US and Mexican partners in this and other investigations to protect the public.” Life in Prison if Convicted If convicted, Wedding and Clark would face a mandatory minimum penalty of life in federal prison on their respective continuing criminal enterprise charge. The murder and attempted murder charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The drug trafficking charges carry mandatory minimum penalties of 10 to 15 years in prison. “The former Canadian snowboarder unleashed an avalanche of death and destruction, here and abroad,” said Matthew Allen, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Field Division. “He earned the name ‘El Jefe’, becoming boss of a violent transnational drug trafficking organization. Now, his face will be on ‘The Top 10 Most Wanted’ posters. He’s unremitting, callous and greed-driven. Today’s announcement beams an even brighter searchlight on him. We ask that you help us find him.” Tips Wanted The FBI urges anyone with information as to Wedding’s whereabouts to contact the FBI via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram at +1-424 495-0614. These are neither government-operated nor government-controlled platforms. Callers may also contact their local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Confidentiality will be granted to anyone who calls with information. Investigators believe that Wedding is residing in Mexico but have not ruled out his presence in the United States, Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica or elsewhere. Wedding is further described as follows: Aliases: James Conrad King, Jesse King DOB: September 14, 1981 Hair: Brown, may wear a beard and/or mustache Eyes: Blue Height: 6’3” Weight: 240 lbs. (may vary) Nationality: Canadian Place of Birth: Thunder Bay, Canada Monikers: “Giant,” “Public Enemy,” “El Jefe” Photographs and reward information about Wedding will be posted on digital billboards in key locations, as well as on fbi.gov, and on the FBI’s social media platforms. Additional information about Wedding and other Top Ten Fugitives is available at this link: Top Ten Fugitives.

‘Truck Stop Serial Killer’ sentenced to 65 years in third murder conviction

Bruce Guthrie - March 7, 2025

The man known as the Truck Stop Serial Killer was convicted of another murder in January. This week, he was sentenced for the third murder conviction. Bruce Mendenhall was sentenced to an additional 65 years in prison for the July 2007 murder of Carma Purpura of Indianapolis. Mendenhall is already serving two life sentences in Tennessee for a pair of murders, and he is still facing a trial for an Alabama murder. He is also under investigation for murders in Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Authorities say Mendenhall met his Indiana victim at a Flying J truck stop in Marion County in 2007. The woman’s body was discovered four years after she disappeared off the side of the Kentucky highway in a ravine with evidence of a lethal bullet wound to her head. Evidence against Mendenhall included a .22 caliber rifle and a collection of the victim’s bloody clothes.

Legislators seek to guarantee overtime pay for truckers

Dana Guthrie - March 6, 2025

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Edward J. Markey, along with U.S. Representatives Mark Takano and Jeff Van Drew are introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ensure that truckers are compensated fairly for the hours that they are on the clock, including overtime. “America’s truck drivers are on the frontlines of our economy, enduring long hours away from home, and all too often, unpaid wait times at congested ports and warehouses. Unfortunately, truck drivers have been excluded from overtime pay protections for decades,” Padilla said. “If truckers are forced to wait while on the job, they should be paid. This is not just a matter of fairness; it’s a matter of public safety. Experienced truckers are safer truckers, and better compensation and overtime pay will help more of them stay in the profession.” Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act would repeal the motor carrier provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which excludes many truckers from overtime protections enjoyed by other workers. “Truck drivers are the engines of our economy, making sure that our supply chain keeps moving at full speed, and yet they are denied the fundamental worker protection of overtime,” Markey said. “The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act would reverse this injustice and ensure that truck drivers are paid their due.” In response to an Executive Order by former President Biden, USDOT issued a Freight and Logistics Supply Chain Assessment in February 2022, which highlights high turnover rates and compensation issues in the trucking industry. Among its recommendations, the Department called on Congress to repeal the motor carrier provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow truckers to earn fair overtime pay. Truckers Vital to American Way of Life “Truckers are vital for our supply chain, manufacturing, and the American way of life,” Takano said. “It is unfair that they are singled out as somehow unworthy of overtime pay. This legislation will help right that wrong and make sure they are fairly compensated for the hours they work. I am proud to partner with Congressman Van Drew and Senator Padilla to build up workers and guarantee more money in their paychecks.” According to Van Drew, without truckers, the supply chain would collapse. “Truck drivers keep our supply chain moving, often working long, exhausting hours to make sure goods get where they need to go,” Van Drew said. “But right now, they are not guaranteed overtime pay like most other workers. It is just not right. The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act is a simple fix—it ensures that truckers are fairly compensated for the extra hours they put in. These men and women do critical work, and it’s time we make sure their pay reflects that.” Teamsters Back Legislation “The exclusion of truck drivers from federal overtime protections must come to an end,” said Sean M. O’Brian Teamsters general president. “The Teamsters Union is proud to support the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which will right the decades long wrong that serves only to harm drivers to the benefit of their employers.” Truckers are the Backbone of the Economy “America’s truckers are the backbone of our economy, keeping goods moving and ensuring our supply chain stays strong,” said Todd Spencer, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association president. “Yet, despite their essential role, trucking remains one of the few professions in America denied guaranteed overtime pay. It’s long past time the hard work of the men and women behind the wheel are fairly compensated. By discounting a trucker’s time, ‘big trucking’ has driven wages downward, treating truckers as disposable rather than the skilled professionals they are. We appreciate Representative Van Drew, Representative Takano, and Senator Padilla for championing the bipartisan GOT Truckers Act, which will right this wrong by securing overtime pay. This legislation is an investment in truckers, road safety, and the strength of America’s supply chain.” In addition to Senators Padilla and Markey, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden. The full text of the bill can be found here.

CBP arrests Canadian citizen after finding pills in cab of commercial vehicle

Bruce Guthrie - March 6, 2025

OGDENSBURG, N.Y. – Law enforcement near the Canadian border made an arrest of a Canadian citizen with a large amount of narcotics in the cab of a commercial vehicle. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Ogdensburg encountered the suspect entering the United States in a commercial vehicle with narcotics. CBP officers say on February 28, they encountered Raphael Leblond-Lacroix, 32, operating a commercial vehicle. He was referred to cargo secondary for additional inspection and to process his commercial entry. CBP officers say they conducted a search of the truck cab and discovered a large bag with approximately 130 pills. Upon further inspection, CBP officers discovered multiple containers and bags of marijuana, weighing approximately one pound. Leblond-Lacroix was taken into custody while the suspected narcotics were seized for further identification. The narcotics tested positive for the properties of marijuana and methamphetamine. “I am proud of the commitment and dedication of our officers as they continue to keep our country and communities safe from these dangerous drugs,” said Ogdensburg Port Director Tom Trimboli. Leblond-Lacroix was processed by CBP officers and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. Leblond-Lacroix is currently being prosecuted for felony Importation of Controlled Substances, 21 USC 952 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of New York.

Truck driver in crash that killed 7 farmworkers in Oregon is sentenced to 48 years

The Associated Press - March 6, 2025

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A truck driver who killed seven farmworkers when he crashed into a parked van on Interstate 5 in Oregon was sentenced on Tuesday to nearly 50 years in prison. Marion County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Wren sentenced Lincoln Smith to 48 years and 3 months, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. He was convicted in February on seven counts of second-degree manslaughter and three counts of assault, as well as reckless driving. Jurors acquitted the 54-year-old Californian of driving under the influence of intoxicants. Testifying at trial, Smith said the effects of drugs he took the night before the crash had worn off and he nodded off at the wheel. Traces of methamphetamine, fentanyl and morphine were found in his blood after the crash. The crash, one of the state’s deadliest, happened in May 2023. Smith’s semitruck ran into a van carrying 11 farmworkers that was parked on the side of I-5 near Albany, in an agricultural area of the Willamette Valley. The victims were identified as Juan Carlos Leyva-Carrillo, 37; Gabriel Juarez-Tovilla, 58; Alejandra Espinoza-Carpio, 39; Eduardo Lopez-Lopez, 31; Luis Enrique Gomez-Reyes, 30; Alejandro Jimenez-Hernandez, 36; and Josue Garcia-Garcia, 30. Smith apologized in court, saying that if he could trade his life for any of the victims’ lives, he would, KGW-TV reported. Albany is about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of Portland. I-5 is the main north-south interstate on the West Coast.

CBP makes significant drug bust on Interstate 5 in California

Bruce Guthrie - March 5, 2025

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. – Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents have seized a huge stash of narcotics on a major interstate in California. According to a release from the CBP agents from the San Clemente Station stopped a sedan traveling northbound on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton, a Marine base near San Diego. After a brief interview with the man driving the vehicle, the agents requested that a K-9 unit respond to the vehicle stop. Authorities say the K-9 dog registered a positive response compelling officers to conduct a search of the vehicle. That is when agents opened the trunk and discovered two white trash bags filled with cellophane-wrapped packages consistent with drug smuggling. CBP said agents transported the vehicle, the suspected narcotics, the driver and adult male passenger to the nearby Border Patrol station. CBP reported that a total of 19 cellophane-wrapped packages were removed from the car and tested. The packages tested positive for the characteristics of cocaine. The total weight of the cocaine was 47.51 pounds, with an estimated street value of nearly $810,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the cocaine, while the driver and passenger now face narcotics trafficking charges. The vehicle was seized by the Border Patrol. “Rest assured that the agents of San Diego Sector are out there around the clock protecting the American people,” said San Diego Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker. “We will do everything within our power to stop those who would do us harm, and to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.” This seizure is just the most recent in a string of Border Patrol interdictions along the busy interstate highways in San Diego County. With 18 pounds of fentanyl seized along Interstate 15 on Feb. 19 and 143 pounds of cocaine seized along Interstate 5 on Feb. 18.

ATA strongly opposes Teamsters backed Faster Labor Contracts Act

Dana Guthrie - March 5, 2025

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) led a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing new, Teamsters-endorsed legislation to speed up first contracts for new unions. The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to prevent employers from stalling union contract negotiations — requiring talks to begin within 10 days. It would amend the National Labor Relations Act to create a clear timetable to securing a first union contract. The bill is being cosponsored by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) as well as three Democrats — Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) “The status quo hurts workers,” said Senator Hawley. “Despite exercising their legal—and moral—right to bargain collectively, workers are often prevented from enjoying the benefits of the union they voted to form when mega-corporations drag their feet, slow-walk contract negotiations and try to erode support for the union. It’s wrong. We need real labor reform that puts workers first. I’m proud to introduce bipartisan and Teamsters-endorsed legislation that does just that.” American Trucking Associations Strongly Opposes the Act “Since 1980, union membership has plummeted from over 20 percent of the nation’s total workforce to less than ten percent today,” said Chris Spear, ATA president, CEO. “This legislation was written at the behest of union bosses who put their interests before the hardworking [people] they represent. And now they’re asking Congress to help save their padded lifestyle. For 90 years, the National Labor Relations Act has survived these self-serving coups for one reason alone: It works. Everyone has a seat at the table, including American workers. To that end, the American Trucking Associations along with its thousands of medium and small members outright oppose this bill and will make certain it stands zero chance of ever becoming law.” Teamsters: Legislation would Force Employers to Bargain Fairly, Timely and in Good Faith “Greedy corporations will stop at nothing to keep workers from getting a fair first contract,” said Sean O’Brien Teamsters General President Their playbook is simple: stall, delay, and drag out negotiations to deny workers from securing the wages and conditions they deserve “Teamsters are proud to support the Faster Labor Contracts Act — real labor law reform that forces employers to bargain in good faith and holds them accountable when they don’t.” Bipartisan Support “Americans deserve fair wages, safe workplaces, and good benefits in exchange for their hard work—and forming a union helps workers fight for fairness in their workplace,” said Senator Booker. “Workers who vote to join a union have the right to form that union quickly, instead of facing years of delays from big corporations. This bipartisan bill would ensure that workers are able to have their voices heard and more quickly enjoy the benefits of forming a union instead of facing uncertainty and prolonged stalling tactics.” According to Senator Peters, the bill is a step in the right direction. It would help crack down on union busting tactics so workers can fight for the wages and benefits they deserve, without interference and attempts to delay the process. Faster Labor Contract Act The Faster Labor Contracts Act would: Amend the National Labor Relations Act to require that after workers have voted to form a union, employers must begin negotiating with the new union within 10 days. Provide that if no agreement is reached within 90 days, the dispute will be referred to mediation. Stipulate that if mediation fails within 30 days, or additional periods agreed upon by the parties, the dispute will be referred to binding arbitration to secure an initial contract. Commission a Government Accountability Office report on average workplace time-to-contract one year after enactment. “When unions thrive, working families thrive,” said Senator Merkley. “Our bipartisan effort is an important step forward to support hardworking Americans by making it easier to form a union, leading to better wages and benefits for all workers. Senator Hawley and I will do all we can to advance this common-sense reform to benefit workers nationwide.” To view the bill in full, click here.

Powerful US storms kill 2 and bring threats from critical fire weather to blizzard conditions

The Associated Press - March 5, 2025

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Powerful storms killed two people in Mississippi, tore the roofs off an apartment building and a nursing home in a small town in Oklahoma and threatened more communities across the nation Tuesday with wide-ranging weather. The large storm system also brought blinding dust storms to the Southwest, blizzards with whiteout conditions to the Midwest and fears of wildfires elsewhere. In Irving, Texas, a tornado with winds up to 110 mph (177 kph) struck, while another touched down in the 16,000-resident city of Ada, Oklahoma, according to preliminary information from the National Weather Service. There were also two tornadoes in Louisiana’s northern Caddo Parish and at least five in eastern Oklahoma. High winds forced some changes to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, which moved up and shortened the two biggest parades to wrap them up before the bad weather moved in. The weather didn’t stop Shalaska Jones and her 2-year-old daughter from waving at passing Mardi Gras floats and hoping to catch one of the coveted coconuts thrown to the crowd. “We was coming out, rain, sleet or snow,” Jones said. The alarming weather could be one of the first big tests for the National Weather Service after hundreds of forecasters were fired last week as part of President Donald Trump’s moves to slash the size of the federal government. Former employees said the firing of meteorologists who make crucial local forecasts nationwide could put lives at risk, though it was too soon to know the impact on forecasts and warnings for this storm. Deaths from storms in Mississippi Two people died due to the severe weather, Gov. Tate Reeves posted on the social platform X, without going into detail. WAPT-TV reported that one person died from a falling power line in Madison County, while a driver in the same county was killed by a tree falling on his car. Hundreds of thousands left without power Storms that swept through Texas and Oklahoma brought high winds and rain, overturning tractor-trailers and damaging roofs. More than 178,000 customers were without power in Texas, about 23,000 in Louisiana, another 18,000 in Mississippi, about 88,000 in Alabama, more than 16,000 in Oklahoma and more than 23,000 in Tennessee, according to PowerOutage.us. More outages were expected as a line of storms raced across Mississippi and Louisiana and headed for Alabama, producing gusts of 70 mph (113 kph), the weather service said. Strong winds lead to fires and damage in Texas In San Antonio, high winds caused at least two grass fires that damaged several structures and prompted officials to order mandatory evacuations in two areas south of the city. One fire prompted officials to call for the evacuation of about 30 homes, San Antonio Fire Chief Valerie Frausto told reporters. By late Tuesday afternoon, the Texas A&M Forest Service was responding to 13 active wildfires across the state, service spokesperson Adam Turner said. In North Texas, strong thunderstorms with gusts over 70 mph (113 kph) damaged apartments, schools and RVs. At the Las Haciendas Apartments in Irving, northwest of Dallas, winds blew out windows and damaged brick siding along the walls of a building. Power was knocked out to several Irving schools. In Plano, north of Dallas, winds tore off parts of a high school’s metal roof. In Parker County, west of Fort Worth, at least three RV trailers were overturned by strong winds. Central Plains and Midwest brace for blizzard conditions Blizzard conditions were forecast that could make travel treacherous. Schools will be closed Wednesday in several southern Minnesota districts with 5 to 11 inches (about 13 to 28 centimeters) of snow expected. More concerning were winds forecasted to gust over 50 mph (80 kph) and stay high. The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities said on X Tuesday night that travel was not advised over a large portion of southern Minnesota. “It’s tough to find a @MnDOT road camera that isn’t covered in ice or blocked completely by blowing snow,” the post said. South Dakota was expected to receive up to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of snow in some areas, and by Tuesday evening, high winds had already deteriorated road conditions. Jay Jones, who works at Love’s Truck Stop in Sioux Falls, said he saw garbage cans flying around as winds gusted around 50 mph (80.5 kph). Parts of Interstate 29 heading north to North Dakota were shut down. “It looks really bad out there,” Jones said, adding that he walked to work and would have to “have to tough it out” on his way home. In Des Moines, Iowa, gusts up to 65 mph (105 kph) were expected Tuesday night — a rare occurrence, forecasters said. Strong winds and snowfall were making travel hazardous Tuesday night in eastern Nebraska, according to the National Weather Service. Part of Interstate 80 was temporarily closed and the agency recommended staying off the roads if possible. Nationwide, more than 500 flights were canceled, according to FlightAware.com, which tracks delays and cancellations. Airports in Dallas canceled the most flights. Severe weather threatens during Mardi Gras New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick ordered parade-goers to not bring umbrellas, tents or “anything that could fly in the wind and cause mayhem.” In neighboring Jefferson Parish, officials canceled planned parades due to anticipated high winds and thunderstorms. Even with winds sweeping through New Orleans, the city’s festive Bourbon Street was packed with revelers clad in purple, gold and yellow, shouting for bead necklaces tossed from balconies. Ashley Luna and her aunt danced and skipped down the street holding beverages beneath the darkening sky, unconcerned about the evening’s prospects. “The weather can always change. I’m not really worried about it,” Luna said. “I am just going with the flow.” Martin reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City; Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Juan Lozano in Houston; Jamie Stengle in Dallas; Julio Cortez in Irving, Texas; Sarah Raza in Minneapolis; Jack Brook in New Orleans; Haya Panjwani in Washington, D.C.; Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington, contributed.

Trump tariffs: ATA issues warning

Dana Guthrie - March 4, 2025

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s promise to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China was fulfilled on Tuesday. The American Trucking Association issued a statement regarding its position on the new tariffs. “Truckers live in every state and community throughout our country, said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “We have seen firsthand the devastating effects of fentanyl and the humanitarian crisis caused by unchecked illegal immigration. President Trump has rightfully placed an emphasis on tackling these challenges, and the trucking industry is committed to being a part of the solution. That is why we are raising public awareness and supporting legislation to remove deadly fentanyl from our streets, backing efforts to increase the security and efficiency of our borders, and training our workforce to recognize and report instances of human trafficking.” Unintended Consequences of Tariffs “As we work to make our communities stronger and safer, we must also avoid unintended consequences that could exacerbate another one of Americans’ top concerns: the high prices for goods and groceries,” Spear said. “With the success of USMCA and the growing trend of nearshoring, the North American supply chain has become highly integrated and supports millions of jobs.” According to Spear, imposing border taxes on the country’s largest and most important trading partners will undo this progress and raise costs for consumers. Hardworking Truckers to Pay the Price “The 100,000 full-time hardworking truckers hauling 85% of the surface trade in goods with Mexico and 67% of the goods traded with Canada will bear a direct and disproportionate impact,” Spear said. “Not only will tariffs reduce cross-border freight, but they will also increase operational costs. The price tag of a new truck could rise by up to $35,000, amounting to a $2 billion annual tax and putting new equipment out of reach for small carriers. “The longer tariffs last, the greater the pain for truckers as well as the families and businesses we serve. The Trump Administration knows our industry well and understands how vital trucking is to our economy and supply chain. President Trump proved his dealmaking skills during his first term by negotiating the USMCA. To prevent unnecessary economic pain, the trucking industry urges all parties to come to the table once again to swiftly reach a new agreement.”

US tariffs on Canada and Mexico take effect, as China takes aim at US farm exports

The Associated Press - March 4, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s long-threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico went into effect Tuesday, putting global markets on edge and setting up costly retaliations by the United States’ North American allies. Starting just past midnight, imports from Canada and Mexico are now to be taxed at 25%, with Canadian energy products subject to 10% import duties. Top 10 US imports from Mexico Imports by value, 2023 Source: US Census Bureau Cars and trucks $92.9B Auto parts $77.6B Computers and accessories $30.2B Oil $23.9B Electrical equipment $23.6B Telecom equipment $14.6B Medicinal equipment $13.6B Industrial machines $11.5B Fruits including avocados, blueberries, strawberries $11.3B Household appliances $11B The 10% tariff that Trump placed on Chinese imports in February was doubled to 20%, and Beijing retaliated Tuesday with tariffs of up to 15% on a wide array of U.S. farm exports. It also expanded the number of U.S. companies subject to export controls and other restrictions by about two dozen. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would slap tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods over the course of 21 days. Mexico didn’t immediately detail any retaliatory measures. Top 10 US imports from China Imports by value, 2023 Source: US Census Bureau Cell phones $66.7B Computers and accessories $53.1B Electric and industrial equipment. $42B Toys, games, and sporting goods. $32.3B Appliances and furniture. $25.5B Clothing and textiles $19.6B Car parts $14.6B Telecommunications equipment. $12.9B Cookware, cutlery, tools $8.9B Shoes $7.9B The U.S. president’s moves raised fears of higher inflation and the prospect of a devastating trade war even as he promised the American public that taxes on imports are the easiest path to national prosperity. He has shown a willingness to buck the warnings of mainstream economists and put his own public approval on the line, believing that tariffs can fix what ails the country. “It’s a very powerful weapon that politicians haven’t used because they were either dishonest, stupid or paid off in some other form,” Trump said Monday at the White House. “And now we’re using them.” Top 10 US imports from Canada Imports by value, 2023 Source: US Census Bureau Oil and petroleum products $108.3B Cars and trucks $42.8B Auto parts $14.1B Aluminum and bauxite $9.3B Metal products $8.8B Natural gas $8.6B Bread, pastries, baked goods $8.5B Industrial supplies $7.5B Beef, pork, and other meat $6.7B Gold $6.4B The Canada and Mexico tariffs were supposed to begin in February, but Trump agreed to a 30-day suspension to negotiate further with the two largest U.S. trading partners. The stated reason for the tariffs is to address drug trafficking and illegal immigration, and both countries say they’ve made progress on those issues. But Trump has also said the tariffs will only come down if the U.S. trade imbalance closes, a process unlikely to be settled on a political timeline. The tariffs may be short-lived if the U.S. economy suffers. But Trump could also impose more tariffs on the European Union, India, computer chips, autos and pharmaceutical drugs. The American president has injected a disorienting volatility into the world economy, leaving it off balance as people wonder what he’ll do next. “It’s chaotic, especially compared to the way we saw tariffs rolled out in the first (Trump) administration,” said Michael House, co-chair of the international trade practice at the Perkins Coie law firm. “It’s unpredictable. We don’t know, in fact, what the president will do.’’ Democratic lawmakers were quick to criticize the tariffs, and even some Republican senators raised alarms. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she’s “very concerned” about the tariffs going into effect because of her state’s proximity to Canada. “Maine and Canada’s economy are integrated,” Collins said, explaining that much of the state’s lobsters and blueberries are processed in Canada and then sent back to the U.S. The world economy is now caught in the fog of what appears to be a trade war. Even after Trump announced Monday that the tariffs were going forward, Canadian officials were still in touch with their U.S. counterparts. “The dialogue will continue, but we are ready to respond,” Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said in Ottawa as he went into a special Cabinet meeting on U.S.-Canada relations. “There are still discussions taking place.” Shortly after Blair spoke, Trudeau said Canada would impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion Canadian ($107 billion U.S.) worth of American goods, starting with tariffs on $30 billion Canadian ($21 billion U.S.) worth of goods immediately and on the remaining amount on American products in three weeks. “Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures,” Trudeau said. The White House would like to see a drop in seizures of fentanyl inside the United States, not just on the northern and southern borders. Administration officials say that seizures of fentanyl last month in everywhere from Louisiana to New Jersey had ties to foreign cartels. Damon Pike, technical practice leader for customs and trade services at the tax and consulting firm BDO, suggested the responses of other countries could escalate trade tensions and possibly increase the economic pressure points. “Canada has their list ready,” Pike said. “The EU has their list ready. It’s going to be tit for tat.’’ The Trump administration has suggested inflation will not be as bad as economists claim, saying tariffs can motivate foreign companies to open factories in the United States. On Monday, Trump announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the computer chipmaker, would be investing $100 billion in domestic production. Still, it can take time to relocate factories spread across the world and train workers with the skills they need. Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of The Toy Association, said the 20% tariffs on Chinese goods will be “crippling” for the toy industry, as nearly 80% of toys sold in the U.S. are made in China. “There’s a sophistication of manufacturing, of the tooling,” he said. “There’s a lot of handcrafting that is part of these toys that a lot of people don’t understand … the face painting, the face masks, the hair weaving, the hair braiding, the cut and sew for plush to get it to look just so. All of that are very high hands, skilled labor that has been passed through generations in the supply chain that exists with China.” For a president who has promised quick results, Ahearn added a note of caution about how quickly U.S. factories could match their Chinese rivals. “That can’t be replicated overnight,” he said. Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writers Anne D’Innocenzio in New York and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.

Trucking titans of the bayou: Meet the 2025 champions

Dana Guthrie - March 4, 2025

BATON ROUGE, La. — The 2025 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships, presented by the LMTA Foundation, is announcing its winners. The two-day competition was held at the L’Auberge Baton Rouge on a specially made driving course across River Road from the L’Auberge’s main facilities. “This year’s competition saw 80 drivers participate, each completing three tests focused on testing a driver’s knowledge and skills,” the LMTA said. “All competitors were required to provide safe driving records, including a zero-accident report for the year.” Scored Categories The scored categories were as follows: The written examination is an hour-long test that measures competitors’ knowledge of the trucking industry, safe driving rules, first aid, and firefighting. The pre-trip inspection tests the driver’s ability to thoroughly investigate the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMSCA) pre-trip inspection. Each driver is tasked with finding defects planted on a test vehicle within a limited time. The field test course sees contestants drive a vehicle through the specially designed course with problems designed to simulate conditions they may encounter during the everyday operation of a truck. Competition Classes The Louisiana competition has nine classes, each with different size commercial vehicles. The classes include: Step-Van Straight Truck 3-Axle Van 4-Axle Van 5-Axle Van 5-Axle Tank 5-Axle Flatbed 5-Axle Sleeper Cab Twin-Trailers Scores in each class were calculated from each competition category, recognizing a first, second and third-place winner. Each winning contestant was recognized during the night’s Trucking Safety Awards Banquet with an award for their competition class. Top Champions Also awarded from the competition were the Mechanics Award, Rookie of the Year Award, Team Award, and Overall Grand Champion. The Mechanic’s Award was given to Corey Mitchell of FedEx Freight, with the highest pre-trip inspection score. Rookie of the Year was awarded to Darrin Lemoine with Walmart Transportation, as the driver with the highest score among those participating in a truck-driving championship for the first time. XPO won the Team Award with the overall highest average score based on the scores of the competing drivers from that company. Chad Rudesill with FedEx is the 2025 Grand Champion as the driver who receives the highest overall score during the competition. All first-place winners will represent the LMTA Foundation and the State of Louisiana in the 2025 American Trucking Association (ATA) National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis, Minn. on August 20 – 23. Winners of the LMTA competition are as follows: Step Van 1st Place – Nicholas Burgess, Walmart 2nd Place – Michael Brian, FedEx 3rd Place – Mario Powell, FedEx Straight Truck 1st Place – Place Leroy Williams, XPO 2nd Place – Darrin Lemoine, Walmart 3rd Place – Corey Mitchell, FedEx 3 Axle Van 1st Place – Chad Rudesill, FedEx 2nd Place – David Jowers, Old Dominion Freight Line 3rd Place – Damien Hebert, XPO 4 Axle Van 1st Place – Larry Peltier, Martin Brower 2nd Place – Wallace Simien, Walmart 3rd Place – Shelton Winn, Old Dominion Freight Line 5 Axle Van 1st Place – Eric Courville, FedEx 2nd Place – Christopher Colomb, Walmart 3rd Place – John McLean, Walmart 5 Axle Tank Truck 1st Place – Curtis McMellon, XPO 2nd Place – Johnnie Long, Walmart 3rd Place – Patrick Rudesill, FedEx 5 Axle Flatbed 1st Place – Mark Collins, Walmart 2nd Place – Joseph Vital, FedEx 3rd Place – Warren Little, FedEX 5 Axle Sleeper Cab 1st Place – Patrick Bonvillian, Old Dominion Freight Line 2nd Place – Malcolm Taylor, FedEx 3rd Place – Joseph Guidry, Walmart Twin Truck 1st Place – Wilbur Sansom, FedEx 2nd Place – Eddie Bonnet, Old Dominion Freight Line 3rd Place – Michael Greene, Ergon Trucking

Former mayoral candidate identified as pedestrian killed by semi

Dana Guthrie - March 3, 2025

SHREVEPORT, La. — Darryl Ray Ware II, a Shreveport native and the city’s youngest mayoral candidate, has been identified as the pedestrian killed by a semi-truck on Saturday. Ware, 31, was hit by the semi-truck as he walked along 1-20. He ran for mayor of Shreveport in 2022. The incident is still under investigation by the Shreveport Police Department. The cause of the accident has not been identified. Information on the semi-truck’s driver and associated company has not been released. This is an on-going story.

Mack Trucks to display advanced tech, fuel efficiency at TMC 2025

Dana Guthrie - March 3, 2025

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mack Trucks will showcase the Mack Anthem model and Class 6 Mack MD6 at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition. “Mack will also highlight its latest connected vehicle technology advancements, including the recently introduced AutoSend and Self-Service Parameter Updates features,” Mack said in a press release. “These enhancements to Mack’s Over The Air (OTA) capabilities help fleet managers maximize vehicle performance while reducing administrative workload.” AutoSend AutoSend, now standard with Mack’s Integrated Uptime subscription service, enables automated software deployments through the in-cab Driver-Display Activation interface, allowing updates to be completed in 30 minutes or less without disrupting operations. “The new Self-Service Parameter Updates feature, available through the Mack Connect customer portal, gives fleet managers direct control to create and deploy custom parameter profiles for critical vehicle settings such as road speed limits and idle shutdown parameters,” Mack said. Trucks on Display Mack trucks on display in Mack Booth No. 701 include: The Mack Anthem 64T which features: Engine: Mack MP8-445C, 445 horsepower and 1,850 lb.-ft. torque. Transmission: MackTMD12AFO mDRIVE 12-speed (Overdrive) Additional features: Mack PowerLeash engine brake, Mack ClearTech One emissions system, aerodynamic mirrors, stainless steel and clad aluminum bumper. The Mack MD6 42R which features: Engine: Cummins ISB6.7 diesel, 260 horsepower and up to 660 lb.-ft. torque. Transmission: Allison 2500 RDS six-speed with PTO provision. Additional features: 25,995-lb. GVWR, Mack air suspension, GEOTAB telematics, full-color dash with 5” copilot screen. TMC will be held March 10-13 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit your local dealer, www.macktrucks.com or Mack booth No. 701 during TMC 2025.

Crews battle wildfires in North and South Carolina amid dry conditions and gusty winds

The Associated Press - March 3, 2025

Crews battled wildfires in North and South Carolina on Sunday amid dry conditions and gusty winds as residents were forced to evacuate in some areas. The National Weather Service warned of increased fire danger in the region due to a combination of critically dry fuels and very low relative humidity. In South Carolina, where more than 175 fires burned 6.6 square miles (17 square kilometers), Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday to support the wildfire response effort, and a statewide burning ban remained in effect. Crews made progress containing a fire in the Carolina Forest area west of the coastal resort city of Myrtle Beach, where residents had been ordered to evacuate several neighborhoods, according to Horry County Fire Rescue. Video showed some people running down the street as smoke filled the sky. But by late Sunday afternoon, the fire department announced that Carolina Forest evacuees could return home. The South Carolina Forestry Commission estimated Sunday evening that the blaze had burned 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers) with 30 percent of it contained. No structures had succumbed to the blaze and no injuries had been reported as of Sunday morning, officials said. In North Carolina, the U.S. Forest Service said fire crews were working to contain multiple wildfires burning in four forests across the state on Sunday. The largest, about 400 acres (162 hectares), was at Uwharrie National Forest, about 50 miles (80.47 kilometers) east of Charlotte. The Forest Service said Sunday afternoon that it had made progress on the fire, reaching about one-third containment. The small southwestern town of Tryon in Polk County, North Carolina, urged some residents to evacuate Saturday as a fire spread rapidly there. The evacuations remained in effect Sunday. A decision on whether to lift them was expected to be made Monday after intentional burns are set to try to stop the fire from spreading. That fire has burned about 500 acres (202 hectares) as of late Sunday, with zero percent containment, according to the Polk County Emergency Management/Fire Marshal’s office. The North Carolina Forest Service was conducting water drops and back-burning operations on the ground, and area residents should expect a lot of smoke during those operations, officials said. Officials have not said what caused any of the fires.