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Tires have always been an important piece of a heavy-duty, over-the-road truck. And trucking fleets are finding ways to cut costs by making those tires last longer..

A softening economy has led the giant trucking company Yellow Corp., a specialist in less-than-truckload shipments, to lay off 75 fulltime salaried personnel from its nationwide staff of 7,000 effective Jan. 12, according to a company spokesman.

George W. Bush may have won the 2000 election, but organized labor made its voice heard in a number of state and congressional votes, said Edward Wytkind, executive director of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO.

Today's technology headlines: Bush taps Michael Powell to head FCC; Stinnes Logistics building worldwide intranet network; and companies get started using wireless.

Less-than-truckload carrier Roadway Express Tuesday reported earnings increases of over 23% for the fourth quarter and the entire 2000 fiscal year.

The index of leading economic indicators dropped 0.6% in December - the largest drop in five years - signalling a continued slowdown in the U.S. economy.

Sales of Class 8 trucks totaled 211,417 last year, making 2000 the second-largest sales year in history. But the real story is the severe plunge in sales over the last four months, which led to job cuts for many truck and engine makers.

The Canadian province of Alberta has begun a fatigue study to cover everything from circadian rhythms, sleep disorders and lifestyles to scheduling and technology.

In the news this morning: DHL expects to keep USPS' global business; ailing Chrysler may face huge job cuts, plant closings; Intrenet files for bankruptcy; and more.