Arkansas Trucking Association

A collaboration between the Arkansas State Police and Arkansas trucking industry is helping address a backlog of trained, professional truck drivers that are urgently needed to fill a deficit of some 80,000 truck driving jobs nationwide.

On April 6, President Biden formally nominated Robin Hutcheson to become administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Hutchenson has served as acting administrator since Jan. 19, and previously served as deputy assistant secretary for safety policy for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Prices at the grocery store and gas pump continue to rise as the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports 30 of the 38 commonly traded commodities are priced higher now than a year ago.

Among the most inflated prices are turkey breasts (166.5% higher) and chicken breasts (87.3% higher). Chicken processors like Tyson Foods and Pilgrim’s increased production in February, but ongoing supply chain issues and labor shortages only beleaguer their inability to keep up with demand.