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American Trucking Associations’ Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council officially came into existence last week as the lobbying group continued its reorganization during the Safety Management Council meeting that was held Oct. 1-4 in St. Louis.

Shorter hauls and different freight — two of the dynamics that differentiate the medium- from heavy-duty truck operations — are also key reasons the medium-duty vehicles have not had the severe drop in sales the heavy truck manufacturers have seen this year.

In the news this morning: Oil prices rise on Israeli-Palestinian tensions; GM, Fiat reported eyeing Daewoo; ComRoad reports higher-than-expected 3Q sales; and more to come.

This afternoon's headlines: Three state trucking groups join cleaner diesel push; U.S. average gasoline prices fall; GM, Isuzu offer new diesel engine, power generator; and more.

Today's technology headlines: SBC goes national with its local phone service; four optical networking start-ups plan collaboration; and AT&T-Time Warner broadband link draws fire from senator.

As the Supreme Court opens its current session, two of the items scheduled for Nov. 7 are environmental issues that potentially have huge ramifications for how federal standards are established.

Congress is still trying to keep the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from issuing an ergonomics rule with a law banning OSHA from spending any money to write or issue the standard.

Allegations that Australians and New Zealanders are working as truck drivers in Iowa without complying with immigration laws have sparked a federal investigation, according to the Des Moines Register newspaper.

In the news this morning: Full House slated to vote on transport bill with hours deal; House Commerce Committee unanimously approves safety bill; Mexican President-elect Fox calls for lower oil prices; and more to come.