Entries for October 2017

US Core Inflation Misses Estimates; Energy Boosts Main Gauge

U.S. inflation excluding food and fuel was below estimates for the sixth time in seven months, even as a hurricane-driven spike in energy prices boosted the overall cost of living by the most since January, a Labor Department report showed Oct. 13.

US Retail Sales Rise Most Since 2015 on Storm-Related Lift

U.S. retail sales jumped last month by the most in more than two years as motor vehicles lost to hurricanes were quickly replaced and higher prices lifted receipts at gasoline stations, Commerce Department figures showed Oct. 13.

Editorial: Our Industry, Front and Center

If you’re holding this extra-large issue of Transport Topics, there’s a decent chance you’re attending American Trucking Associations’ annual Management Conference & Exhibition in Orlando since this is the special edition that is distributed at the event. Either that, or you’re a regular subscriber. In either case, we’re grateful for your interest in being up-to-date on what’s going on in the trucking industry. And there’s a lot going on.

Scott Mugno Is the ‘Brain Coach’ to FedEx’s Championship Drivers

When FedEx Express’ Roland Bolduc claimed the Grand Champion prize at this year’s National Truck Driving Championships, he did so as part of a team of about 170 company drivers who were dominant in every class. While the skills required to claim those victories are varied and unique to the competitors, the company has for years relied heavily on one man to get its drivers ready: Scott Mugno.

Tax Reform to Spark Economic Confidence, Rep. Peter Roskam Says

Hybrid Truck Startup XL Gets $22 Million From Exelon, Ikea

XL Hybrids Inc. won $22 million in venture capital funding led by units of Exelon Corp. and Ikea Group to accelerate sales of its hybrid-electric delivery trucks.

Report: Key Changes Needed to Prevent Fiery Rail Crashes

A prestigious scientific organization on Oct. 11 called for more frequent and better inspections of freight railroad tracks to prevent potentially catastrophic oil and ethanol train crashes.

Cargo Volumes Surge at Southern California Ports; Virginia Sees 8.2% Gain

Container traffic continues to flourish in the peak shipping season, easily outpacing last year’s totals in September.

Story of Louisiana Road, Bridge Problems: Millions in Budget but Billions in Backlog

While Louisiana road and bridge needs poured in to a key legislative committee Oct. 12, prospects for any sweeping changes are bleak.

Video: ATA Chairman Kevin Burch Talks Tax Reform on Fox

About 13 hours after President Donald Trump saluted ATA Chairman and Jet Express President Kevin Burch for his 40-plus years in trucking, Burch appeared on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" morning program Oct. 12, pointing out that the need for small-business tax reform shouldn't be a partisan issue.