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A few stories in this edition of Transport Topics illustrate quite well the current state of the national economy.

Kansas City Southern said it earned $51.8 million, or 50 cents a share, in its fourth quarter, compared with $32.3 million, or 34 cents, the previous year.

Less-than-truckload carrier Southeastern Freight Lines, Lexington, S.C., opened a new logistics division Jan. 4 to provide shippers with services in dry van, refrigerated and flatbed truckload, expedited delivery, intermodal drayage, brokerage, air freight and distribution.

Consumer confidence rose to a six-month high this month, according to the final monthly Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Thursday.

After several years of anticipation throughout the trucking industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration finally in October released their joint proposed rule to regulate greenhouse gases for the commercial transportation sector.

A shipper group has expressed “profound disappointment” over a so-called fact-finding investigation by the Federal Maritime Commission into numerous U.S. importer and exporter complaints about “perceived malpractices” by ocean carriers that resulted in supply-chain service disruptions and rate and surcharge increases in late 2009 and 2010.

Consumer confidence rose in November, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.

Consumer confidence increased this month, according to the monthly Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Wednesday.

A federal judge last week temporarily blocked a ban on owner-operators at the Port of Los Angeles, granting an injunction sought by American Trucking Associations.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a ban on owner-operators at the Port of Los Angeles, granting an injunction sought by American Trucking Associations.