NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Astronomical growth in internet online retail purchases by U.S. consumers already is beginning to have a significant effect on the trucking industry’s business model, an information technology expert told executives attending American Trucking Associations' Executive Leadership Forum here.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council announced Feb. 27 that Glen McDonald, maintenance director at Ozark Motor Lines of Memphis, Tennessee, has been elected 2017-2018 general chairman and treasurer during the organization’s annual meeting.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In its first meeting, a new Technology & Maintenance Council cybersecurity issues task force began on Feb. 27 its work to study, develop guidelines and standardize protocols to protect fleets from getting their data hacked.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Phoenix truck dealer has organized a campaign to build a special “Everyday Heroes” tractor that will be sold at a June 20 Ritchie Bros. auction, with the proceeds being donated to a group fighting sex trafficking.

A request by six large motor carriers to allow hair samples in pre-employment drug testing for drivers in lieu of the current mandate for urine samples drew first-round comments that ranged from motor carriers and a college official to a drug testing lab and a Catholic diocese.

A stockbroker turned FBI informant who tipped off investigators to the Pilot Flying J fraudulent diesel rebate scheme has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to grant him whistleblower status.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will hold a public meeting Feb. 13 in Washington, D.C., to seek public comment on its vehicle performance guidance for automated vehicles, the agency announced Jan. 23.

The Department of Transportation is proposing to amend its pre-employment drug-testing program regulation to add testing for four heavily abused opioids — hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone — to its drug-testing panel.

Six large motor carriers have asked federal regulators to allow them to conduct pre-employment drug and alcohol testing for drivers using hair samples in lieu of the current mandatory requirement that the tests be conducted with urine samples.