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Low distillate inventories, which have worried oil market analysts all summer, continue to be a concern as the winter season approaches.

A private equity fund partnership has completed $37 million of investment in same-day courier United Shipping & Technology, the holding company that owns Velocity Express.

Some fleet safety directors are discovering an unusual paradox: accident rates for experienced drivers - who should be safer drivers - are increasing. Safety experts blame it on the human tendency to take more chances as the perception of risk declines.

In the news this morning: U.S. diesel prices drop after setting all-time high; House-Senate panel to meet on transport bill, driver hours; Hub Group foresees lower 3Q, 4Q earnings; and more to come.

This afternoon's headlines: Manufacturing activity declines for second month; several drug-testing labs being inspected; Argentina's truckers begin strike over fuel costs

Today's technology headlines: SBC and BellSouth get FCC clearance for wireless venture; PC industry a model for supply chain's effects; Lucent spins off corporate telephone unit; and more.

Executives from trucking companies large and small offered detailed accounts to federal officials last week of the costs their companies would incur if the proposed hours-of-service regulations took effect.

The Safety Management Council will debate integrating the responsibility for cargo claims and cargo security issues into its safety mandate during SMC’s annual meeting, continuing through Oct. 4 in St. Louis.

California port truckers last week staged work stoppages and rallies in Oakland and Long Beach with the help of the Teamsters Union to protest long working hours, poor wages and high fuel costs.

In the news this morning: Paccar reportedly makes bid for Navistar; trucker protests flare in Spain, Luxembourg, Yugoslavia; Norfolk Southern warns on earnings; and more to come.