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This afternoon's headlines: FedEx to open service desks at Kinko's Centers; Baltimore's independent truckers may boycott container piers; and Neglect ruled out in Beltway crash.

With the clock ticking on her tenure, Surface Transportation Board Chairman Linda Morgan was nominated by President Clintonto a second term as head of the independent agency.

In the news this morning: More acquisitions may lie ahead for USF; Farmworker families file suit in Calif. crash deaths; and Interstate Bridge damage rated no threat to public.

Roadway Express, Akron, Ohio, said it will implement a general rate increase of 5.2% on Sept. 12. This comes after an announcement by Overnite Transportation to hike its some of its rates.

United Parcel Service said it will take a $1.44 billion charge against second-quarter earnings, basically setting aside money to pay federal back taxes in response to a recent tax court ruling.

In the news this morning: Retailers form anti- theft squad; Man dies in crash of two tractor-trailers; and Drive is on for separate freeway lanes for trucks.

Laurie T. Baulig said last week she is leaving American Trucking Associations in September after 18 months as senior vice president for policy and regulatory affairs.

An association of eight state air quality agencies last week called on the Environmental Protection Agency to mandate the retrofit of emissions control on older diesel engines.

While many large fleets provide services to help drivers and their families cope with the hardships of the over-the-road life, self-employed truckers have to find their own support network.

What’s the biggest human problem in transportation today? Ask big-carrier administrators, owner-operators, recruiters, dispatchers and drivers and the answer will be the same: being away from home.