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This afternoon's headlines: LA transit workers back on the road; Ryder launches online purchase-and-delivery service; Forward Air earnings up 55%; and more.

Today's technology headlines: Consolidated Freightways hits e-highway; Visteon, Lucent in joint Bluetooth venture; and Nortel Networks inks $1 billion optical networking deal.

Petroleum futures prices soared late last week as escalating violence in the Middle East evaporated the budding optimism that world fuel prices were headed downward.

A big boost for roadside inspections, a program to crack down on truckers with poor driving records and the resurrection of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee are part of the new appropriations bill for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Trucking companies that boost the power of their citizen band radio base stations above authorized levels could get a visit from state or local authorities if a bill endorsed by several Midwestern senators is passed.

Trucking companies hauling portions of the federal government’s $12 billion a year pallet of civilian freight likely will have to plug into Internet technologies if they want to keep the business.

William J. Canary Jr., vice president of intergovernmental affairs for American Trucking Associations, has added the duties of senior vice president for state and federation affairs.

American Trucking Associations will celebrate “leadership, commitment and results” at its Management Conference & Exhibition Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in San Diego.

The Environmental Protection Agency beat back congressional and industry critics who are opposed to the government setting an ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel standard for 2006.

Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.), facing the end of his tenure as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, appears poised to retain a powerful position in transportation policy on Capitol Hill.