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Hawaii's shipping industry and the state dockworkers' union reached a tentative settlement early Monday, averting a dock strike that threatened to cripple the islands' economy.

In the news this morning: Teamsters, Overnite dispute who has the upper hand; Truck supplier fingered in drug ring; and Illinois changes exams for state commercial driver licenses.

Overnite Transportationsaid it will continue to operate normally despite the appearance of Teamster picket lines at a number of its terminals across the country.

This afternoon's headlines: Renault CEO says he won't bail out Nissan Diesel; Oshkosh Truck reports record net income for fiscal 1999; and Colo. city referendum may force truck detour.

John Chafee, Rhode Island's longtime Republican senator and chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, died Sunday, a spokesman said. He was 77.

General Motors' ongoing switch to the Edifact EDI system could force many trucking companies to abandon the X12 messaging sets in favor of the new international system.

It could be a RIG or it could be a RUG, but the difference appears to be a minor issue compared with an ongoing debate over how underride or impact guards should be maintained.

TMC members at this year's fall meeeting learned a driver can check wheel alignment in the field with a piece of string, a tape measure, some masking tape and a trammel bar, with little fuss.

In the news this morning: Teamsters step up pressure in Seattle; Indian trucker strikes shows signs of weakening; and Peace Bridge Authority approves toll hike for trucks.

The average price of diesel fuel dropped for the second straight week to $1.224 per gallon, but analysts say this is the not the beginning of a plunge toward February levels.