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Diesel engine maker Caterpillar Inc. said Thursday it reached a tentative six-year contract agreement with the United Auto Workers.

Arkansas Best Corp. said Thursday Robert Davidson would become president and chief operating officer on Jan. 1.

New rules issued by the Food and Drug Administration last week that require companies to maintain records of food transportation should not have much effect on food haulers as they closely resemble regulations already required by another part of the federal government, an industry representative said.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Wednesday its manufacturing index rose to 29.9 in December from 18.9 the month before.

National Tank Truck Carriers has urged the federal government to “indefinitely postpone” its plan to include fingerprint screening as part of its background-check process for drivers seeking authority to haul hazardous cargo.

Several states may not be fully ready to meet the Transportation Security Administration’s Jan. 31 deadline to begin fingerprinting new drivers of hazardous materials, according to comments filed with the agency by state and industry groups.

Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. said Wednesday they had agreed to merge. The $35 billion deal would create the nation's third largest wireless telephone service provider.

L.A. Airport Watches for Portable Missile Attacks • Kerik Withdraws Name for ���ϳԹ���land Security Director

Price of Crude Oil Rises Nearly 6% on Wednesday • J.B. Hunt Increases Dividend; Will Repurchase Shares • Kansas Government Opens New Trucking Center • Commerce Department Lowers Tariffs on Canadian Lumber • And more...