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WASHINGTON — Sens. Charles Grassley, a cantankerous Midwestern conservative, and Tim Kaine, a paint-by-the-numbers East Coast Democrat, don’t agree on very much. But when it comes to free trade, both are very worried.

Consumer confidence rose in September to the highest level since before the last recession on optimism about the labor market, according to a report from the New York-based Conference Board on Sept. 27.

The U.S. Postal Service awarded contracts to six companies to produce prototype vehicles as part of a program to replace aging mail delivery trucks with vehicles that are better suited to carrying packages and that utilize alternative fuels.

The U.S. Department of Transportation last week issued guidelines for testing and deployment of highly automated vehicles. Top administration officials said they want to promote development of self-driving technology to reduce crashes on the nation’s roadways.

SAN ANTONIO — Upcoming regulations, the presidential election, a softer freight market and supply chain disruptions are contributing to “uncertain times” for the trucking industry. But those challenges also present opportunities for fleets that are better prepared than their competitors, McLeod Software’s CEO said.

Truckers and other transportation stakeholders last week voiced a variety of regulatory, infrastructure and funding concerns to the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee.

In order to keep the supply of gas flowing in Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal extended the suspension of HOS rules three more days through midnight on Sept. 26.