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Transportation and logistics firm Universal Express said Wednesday it signed an agreement to purchase Jacksonville Oil Co., an oil and gas retailer, for $15.8 million.

Executives with several firms that provide electronic background checks of commercial driver license holders and their motor vehicle records said demand for their services is increasing, as carriers try to lessen exposure to legal action, improve security and reduce turnover.

Truckload carrier Werner Enterprises said late Wednesday its second-quarter net income improved 11% to $28 million or 35 cents a share, from $25.3 million or 31 cents a year earlier.

Truckload carrier Knight Transportation reported record second-quarter net income and revenue late Wednesday, posting a profit of $18.1 million or 21 cents a share, up from $15 million or 17 cents a year earlier.

Truckload carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services reported Tuesday that it earned a record $55.3 million or 36 cents a share, up from $54.6 million or 33 cents a year ago.

Truckload carriers Schneider National and Celadon Group are each adding hundreds of new trucking jobs, news services reported Tuesday.

The producer price index rose 0.5% in June, the Labor Department reported Tuesday, while the "core" PPI rate excluding food and energy rose 0.2%.

Potentially controversial initiatives aimed at reducing congestion and changing the structure of highway financing that Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta launched before his recent departure will keep moving forward, Mineta told Transport Topics in a July 6 interview.

Truckload carrier Heartland Express’ second-quarter profit rose to $24.8 million or 25 cents a share, up from $17.6 million or 18 cents a year ago.

The average national price of retail diesel fuel rose 0.8 cent to $2.926 a gallon, the Department of Energy said Monday.