Author: Trucker Talk Radio

Investigation into Missing Persons and Homicides in Michigan Authorities in western Michigan are examining unsolved homicides and missing persons cases following interviews with a convicted murderer, Garry Artman, who was also a long-haul truck driver and passed away last week in a prison hospital due to terminal cancer. Kent County sheriff’s detectives spoke with Artman on three separate occasions before his death on Thursday at a state health facility in Jackson, Michigan. According to a statement from Kent County Lt. Eric Brunner to CBS News, the team is currently “working to determine if Mr. Artman can be tied to any…

New Jersey’s New Insurance Requirement for Commercial Vehicles A recent amendment to New Jersey law mandates that large commercial vehicles must have an increased insurance coverage of $1.5 million. This change follows years of advocacy from some state legislators, culminating in the bill’s approval last month and signature by Governor Phil Murphy. The supporters of the legislation did not respond to FreightWaves’ inquiries regarding its specific provisions. Various insurance-related websites have conflicting reports about previous requirements under New Jersey law, with certain hazardous material transportation vehicles purportedly needing $5 million in coverage. However, the general consensus indicates that the former…

Challenges Facing Truck Dealerships in New York This is an opinion piece by Mark Stone, corporate general manager of Burr Truck in New York and a board member of Clean Cities of Central New York. The views expressed are those of the author. After 31 years in business, I find myself questioning the future of our small truck dealership in New York, despite having weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Recession, and the aftermath of 9/11. Burr Truck has been operational since 1967, making it the longest-standing Volvo dealer in the nation and the first to offer Volvo battery electric…

Truck Transportation Jobs Experience Notable Decline in May The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a significant reduction in truck transportation jobs in May, with numbers returning to the levels recorded in November. Job Statistics Overview According to the BLS, seasonally adjusted employment in this sector dropped by 5,400 from April, bringing the total to 1,550,100 jobs—exactly matching the figures from November. Notable Declines in Employment Trends This decrease marks the third-largest since the job market began recovering in 2020, following the major decline reported in April 2020. The most substantial drop in the post-pandemic era occurred when Yellow Corp.…

As tuition costs at four-year colleges rise and nearly $2 trillion in student loan debt burdens Americans, many young people are reevaluating the value of a traditional bachelor’s degree in favor of hands-on work. Last year, vocational school enrollment surged by 16%, marking a peak level since the National Student Clearinghouse began tracking these numbers. Generation Z is now being referred to as “the tool belt generation.” Traditionally dominated by men, the trades are seeing an influx of young women. According to the Department of Labor, in 2020, 11.6% of apprenticeship program graduates in the U.S. were female. “It’s crucial…

Sustainability and decarbonization are now crucial focal points in the heavy-duty trucking sector, impacting both fleet operations and the production of truck components. Hendrickson, a manufacturer known for its suspension systems and components, is making significant strides with the introduction of solar energy at its bumper manufacturing facility in Illinois. This investment marks a transition towards more environmentally friendly and efficient manufacturing processes, as the plant produces over 100,000 bumpers each year for Class 8 trucks and school buses. Seamless Integration of Solar Power The installation of a solar farm with over 2,100 solar panels, capable of generating approximately 1.58…

Origins of Minneapolis Teamsters Leadership The leadership of the Minneapolis Teamsters had roots in the Communist Party. Many of them had long been engaged in radical politics, with some participating in the Socialist Party—particularly its ethnic Scandinavian faction—and others being affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), also known as the Wobblies. Key Figures in the Movement The prominent individuals in this movement included the Dunne Brothers—Vincent Ray Dunne, Miles Dunne, and Grant Dunne—and Scandinavian socialist Carl Skoglund. By the late 1920s, they were all actively involved in the Communist Party but left in 1929 following their expulsion…

Hundreds of freight transportation firms in Greater Jakarta are set to suspend operations on March 20 and 21 in response to a government regulation that limits trucking activities during the national collective leave for Idul Fitri, which runs from March 24 to April 8. The Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Truck Operators Association (Aptrindo) announced on Monday that approximately 500 freight companies would participate in the protest. “Aptrindo vehemently opposes the excessively lengthy restriction, which spans 16 days, as it will severely affect logistics companies, especially drivers and workers involved in loading and unloading,” stated a notice signed by Dharmawan…

CONTENT SPONSORED BY NFI INDUSTRIES A Celebratory Sisterhood The saying “sisterhood is powerful” might seem clichéd, yet it perfectly encapsulates the unity among women in the SheDrives community. This initiative, developed by NFI Industries in collaboration with Women In Trucking, is flourishing in its mission. Honoring Women Drivers on Mother’s Day This month, as we observe Mother’s Day, the SheDrives sisterhood pays tribute to the women who manage the dual responsibilities of motherhood and a career in trucking. Shared Experiences of Motherhood and Trucking Members like Jennifer N. and Sierra T. share a unique experience: both have navigated the challenges…

Trucker’s Body Shop Launches Digital Health Platform Trucker’s Body Shop has introduced a new digital health initiative aimed at meeting the unique health requirements of American truck drivers. This telehealth platform is specifically designed for truckers, who often work mobile and hectic schedules, and it also extends its services to the drivers’ friends and family. Targeting individuals on the move, the platform provides support for weight management, medication access, and overall wellness. The telehealth service allows users to connect with healthcare professionals, receive nutrition and fitness advice, get prescriptions delivered, and access medications for various needs, including smoking cessation, sexual…