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The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that continuing sluggish economic conditions have prompted it to keep interest rates at “exceptionally low levels” at least through mid-2013.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 5-year strategic plan that would extend its regulatory reach to include shippers, brokers and receivers appears to generally have support from the trucking industry, but faces opposition from industries that could face greater scrutiny.

Deborah Hersman was sworn in for her second two-year term as National Transportation Safety Board chairman.

The U.S. economy’s service sector’s activity declined in July but showed expansion, the Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday.

The Truck Renting and Leasing Association has asked federal regulators to postpone the elimination of “registrant-only” Department of Transportation numbers that are given to the owners of commercial vehicles who are not motor carriers.

Interstate 710, known as the Long Beach Freeway, is the latest major Southern California traffic corridor to experience partial night closures this month due to construction work.

U.S. manufacturing activity fell to a two-year low in July, but continued to show expansion for the 24th consecutive month, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday.

The U.S. economy rose at a 1.3% annual rate in the second quarter, following a revised lower rate in the first quarter, the Commerce Department said Friday.