Trucking Wages Up Alongside Freight Demand, Driver Shortage As demand for truck drivers rises among a growing shortage, so have driver wages, according to a new study by the American Trucking Associations. In the wake of increased shipping spurred by the pandemic and compounding fractures in the supply chain, the truck driver shortage has grown […]
Trucking Wages Up in 2021, Study Finds Read More »
By Mark Morris In April, I joined Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton and other trucking executives for my first Call on Washington. Over two days, we walked miles back and forth over Capitol Hill for meetings with our delegation to talk trucking. After more than two years of virtual this and webinar that, I
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Shannon Newton President, ATA Whether you’re eager for your first set of keys and real freedom or seeking a professional license to earn a living, getting a driving license is a process. Some take drivers’ education courses to prepare, and others flip through the little study guides provided by the state police. I was lucky
Up Front- In the Queue Read More »
By Roby Brock As we enter 2022, I’ll celebrate (and commiserate) working at the state capitol or covering Arkansas politics for 30 years. My first foray in state politics was working in the transition office when then-Gov. Bill Clinton was elected president and he transferred power to then Lt. Gov. Jim Guy Tucker. I got
The Last Word – The more things change, the more they stay the same Read More »
Shannon Newton President, ATA As I think of all the friendships that I have nurtured over the years and how precious those are to my life, career and place in our community, it is evident that the pandemic took its toll on personal connection. Some may have mastered connecting through a screen, but I was
Up Front- Fast Friends Read More »
By Jeremy Reymer As leaders in the trucking industry, we’re all acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges we’re facing daily. Unfortunately, these challenges are nothing new. According to the most recent ATRI survey, “Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry – 2021“, the driver shortage topped the list for the fifth year in a row. Industry
The Last Word – How Trucking Can Rise Above Current Industry Challenges Read More »
Shannon Newton President, ATA I’m a strong believer in managing expectations. It helps avoid a lot of life’s disappointments. So as people start to sign their e-mails with “Happy Holidays,” we need to talk about setting our expectations for a “happy” season. No one wants to talk about toilet paper again, but images of empty
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By Arkansas State Senator Jonathan Dismang While it appears we have finally (and thankfully) concluded one of the longest sessions in recent history, we still have unfinished business. After extending the regular session to wait for the pending redistricting census data, the legislature completed the congressional maps in a session wrap-up that ultimately had very
The Last Word – State Tax Plan: Simple, Fair, Competitive Read More »
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, the Arkansas Trucking Association announced the 2020 Driver of the Year, Dean Roberts, and 2020 Safety Professional of the Year, Roger Carson. Roberts is a professional driver for Dedicated Logistics, a carrier headquartered in Crossett. Carson is the vice president of safety at Oakley Trucking, Inc. in North Little Rock. Both
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Shannon Newton President, ATA We tend to categorize, label and rank everything around us. Being human is to analyze and keep records of the best, the worst, the most, and the least, to assign order to all the things. This summer, I celebrated 18 years with the association. My titles and scope of responsibility have
Up Front-The Right Time Read More »