General News
Waymo Launches Miami Robotaxi Service, Testing at Airport
Waymo started offering its robotaxi service in Miami to the public Jan. 22, the first of around a dozen cities where the Alphabet company plans to launch this year.
Lutnick Slams Canada’s China Tilt, Eyes 2026 USMCA Talks
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed as “political noise” the moves in recent days by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to strengthen trade relations with China.
US Nixing Almost $30 Billion in Biden-Era Energy Loans
The Trump administration is canceling almost $30 billion of financing from the Energy Department’s green bank after reviewing transactions approved under former President Joe Biden.
Tesla Loses Most Market Share in California EV Market in 2025
Tesla shed by far most new-car buyers in California last year, showing how the electric-vehicle maker is losing ground in one of the world’s largest EV markets.
Tesla Robotaxi Rides Without Safety Drivers Start in Austin
Tesla is beginning to offer actual robotaxi rides in Austin, a milestone for the carmaker that launched a service seven months ago with vehicles that have relied on human supervisors.
EU Set to Unfreeze Trade Deal With US, Vote on Ratification
European Union lawmakers are expected to vote on ratifying the bloc’s trade deal with the U.S., restarting the process after President Donald Trump walked back his latest threat.
California Adopts Law Enforcing ELP Mandate
California adopted updated regulations for the California Highway Patrol to follow, including a language-proficiency mandate that aligns with a USDOT standard that was revived last year.
Consumer Prices Rise 2.8% in November
Consumer prices rose 2.8% in November from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Jan. 22, up from a 2.7% annual pace in October. Excluding food and energy, core prices also increased 2.8%.
ATA Outlines Threat of Fraudulent CDL Mills
ATA President Chris Spear again called on congressional policymakers to tackle growing concerns linked to fraudulent CDL mills during Capitol Hill testimony Jan. 21.
December Freight Tonnage Inched Up Against Sluggish Market
Freight tonnage remained constrained with a slight sequential improvement in December, failing to overcome its generally lower levels, American Trucking Associations reported Jan. 20.
US Class 8 Truck Sales End Year With Sequential Boost
U.S. Class 8 retail truck sales capped off what has been a generally down year with a sequential boost in December, according to data from Omdia Automotive.
GM to Move Buick SUV Production From China to Kansas
The Detroit-based manufacturer also said it will likely end output of its all-electric Chevrolet Bolt that’s built in the Kansas plant in about a year and a half.
Congress Contemplates $200 Million for Truck Parking
As a government funding deadline looms, congressional leaders are expected to schedule consideration of a fiscal 2026 transportation bill that includes $200 million for truck parking.
STB Rejects Union Pacific Bid to Buy Norfolk Southern for Now
In a document posted to the STB’s website Jan. 16, the agency said Union Pacific’s application to acquire Norfolk Southern was rejected, but it could be revised and refiled.
US Won’t Offer Security Guarantees to Oil Firms in Venezuela
Physical and financial security have been among the top concerns companies have said they want addressed before agreeing to invest in Venezuela.
Consumer Spending Pushes Economy Up 4.4% in Q3
GDP rose at a 4.4% annual pace in the third quarter, the Commerce Department reported Jan. 22, up from 3.8% in the April-June quarter and from the 4.3% growth the department initially estimated.
Japan Records 5th Straight Yearly Trade Deficit on Tariffs
The United States has imposed a 15% tariff on most imports from Japan. Another concern is the impact on Japanese manufacturing, including automakers, from China’s curbs on exports of rare earths.
Venture Global Surges After Arbitration Win Against Repsol
Venture Global won a dispute with Spain’s Repsol involving the sale of liquefied natural gas shipments from its export plant in Louisiana.
Natural Gas Soars 75% in 3 Days as Arctic Cold Grips US
U.S. natural gas futures rocketed to the highest price since 2022, as frigid weather sweeps across major markets for the heating fuel and forces traders to cover bearish positions.
Echo Global Acquires 3PL ITS Logistics From GHK
Echo Global Logistics will buy third-party logistics provider ITS Logistics for an undisclosed sum from private equity firm GHK Capital Partners, the companies said Jan. 21.