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Manufacturing activity in the Chicago improved in June but continued to show contraction, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Tuesday.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — International Truck dealer Diamond Companies Inc. here has embarked on a two-pronged program to educate potential customers about the engine technology Navistar Inc. will offer next year. Diamond plans “lunch and learn” seminars at its dealerships and to take clients to Navistar’s new engine plant in Alabama.

Gasoline prices held steady over the past two weeks at $2.66 per gallon for regular grade, according to the national Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday.

The trucking industry has raised concerns over the energy bill passed by the House that would include a “cap and trade” provision to set up a market for greenhouse gas emissions.

There are some good safety points that should be considered, including a “graduated” commercial driver license, but it makes no sense for new CDL drivers to be transporting hazardous materials, oversize loads or double and triple trailers until they have accumulated 100,000 or more accident-free miles driving a commercial vehicle.

We need to be leery of the battle involving the Obama administration, the Senate and the House of Representatives over the direction of federal transportation policy out of concern that political bickering could delay necessary decisions and infrastructure projects.

Drayage truckers are struggling with complex record-keeping requirements in the new federal intermodal chassis maintenance rules that have begun to take effect, industry experts said.

House Democratic leaders said they hoped to pass a controversial cap-and-trade bill late last week, despite vocal protests by Republicans who said the complex legislation amounts to a large tax increase and needs more time for debate.

YRC Worldwide Inc. and the Teamsters union planned to return to the bargaining table June 29 to pursue additional cost-cutting steps that would help the less-than-truckload carrier cope with current financial difficulties.