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The political bickering that has engulfed much of the federal government over the past months and months is apparently weighing heavily on the nation’s economy.

Many carriers, beset by both the weak economy and pricing competition from brokers and third-party logistics providers, are seeking new ways to win, keep and better serve customers. Business lines such as home delivery, warehousing and alternative mail are adding to — or replacing — revenues cut by the economy and the competition.

The U.S. economy grew at a 1.5% annual rate in the second quarter as consumers trimmed spending, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

When I hear the current challenger for the presidency of the United States talk about job creation, I think back to one night in November 2005 when I was on the road and listening to a nationally broadcast radio talk show.

The U.S. economy grew at a moderate pace in June as manufacturing improved slowly, while trucking and logistics activity was mixed, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

The U.S. economy grew at a moderate pace in April and May as manufacturing improved, and trucking and transportation activity were generally higher, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

SAN FRANCISCO — Two of trucking’s leading economists said last week the industry’s economic recovery was well under way and should continue for at least several more years.

LAS VEGAS — Domestic trucking should continue to benefit from a decent economy this year and into 2013, and truck makers are looking at steady global economies — with the crucial exception of Europe, economists and analysts said here at a heavy-duty industry meeting.

The most recent bits of news about business conditions and the economy suggest that, while we can’t be sure we’re out of the woods yet, the most dire predictions of a double-dip recession a couple of months ago apparently were too pessimistic.