Bulk carrier Detmar will run Aurora Driver-powered tractors up to 20 hours a day across public and private roads in Texas and New Mexico, with a transition to fully driverless operations targeted for Q2 2026.
Aurora says supervised autonomous runs begin in early 2026 between Midland and Monahans, TX, with driverless operations to follow; the route mixes I‑20 highway miles with local/private roads and loading under silos at the mine site.
7,000-MILE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO SOAK PACIFIC NORTHWEST WITH FLOODING RAINS, STRONG WINDS THIS WEEK
A Category 4–5 atmospheric river is forecast to drench WA/OR with record December moisture, raise rivers to flood stage and dump feet of high-elevation snow—posing landslide risks and potential highway closures for I‑5 and mountain passes.
SECOND STORM IN DAYS HITS MID-ATLANTIC; 3–5 INCHES FOR PARTS OF VIRGINIA, SLICK ROADS FROM KY TO NC
Winter storm warnings stretch from eastern Kentucky through coastal Virginia/North Carolina as heavy bursts reduce visibility and create hazardous travel on I‑64, I‑81 and secondary routes; more cold/snow chances linger later this week.
D.C.-AREA ENDURES COLDEST NIGHT OF SEASON; MORE FLURRIES POSSIBLE AS WEEK-LONG CHILL GRIPS REGION
Temperatures plunge into the teens/20s as the cold snap continues; forecasters flag scattered light snow chances late week that could again slick untreated roads during the morning rush for regional pick-up/delivery operations.
The New York Fed’s November Survey shows 1‑year inflation expectations at 3.2% with 3‑ and 5‑year at 3.0%, while more households report worsening finances—signals mixed freight demand and cautious consumer goods flows into early 2026.
SENATE COMMERCE SETS DEC. 8 EXECUTIVE SESSION ON NTSB, FMC, STB AND DOT POLICY NOMINEES
The committee plans votes on transportation safety and economic regulators—decisions that shape federal oversight touching trucking safety probes, maritime policy and rail competition with downstream freight market impacts.
Ahead of a vote to seat a new NTSB member, Democrats warn of legal and precedent risks; the outcome could influence investigative bandwidth and trucking-related safety recommendations after major crashes.
CONSUMERS SEE STABLE INFLATION, BETTER JOB SECURITY IN NY FED SURVEY AS RATE DECISION NEARS
A companion write-up notes expected inflation at 3.2% and the lowest perceived job-loss probability this year, offering a slightly firmer backdrop for freight-sensitive retail and housing demand heading into 2026.
WHITE HOUSE ROLLS OUT $12B FARM AID PACKAGE; PAYMENTS TARGET CROPS AMID PRICING, TARIFF STRAINS
The plan includes up to $11B in one-time payments for crop producers, with eligibility and rates due this month—support that could stabilize 2026 outbound ag volumes for bulk, hopper and flatbed carriers.
U.S. SAYS CHINA MEETING TRADE COMMITMENTS; SOYBEAN BUYS HIGHLIGHT ONGOING TALKS
Officials cited progress on agricultural purchases as economic teams confer—an encouraging signal for Gulf/Midwest export flows and truckload moves tied to grain, fertilizer and containerized ag shipments.
CARB HOSTS DEC. 8 INFRASTRUCTURE FORUM ON GRID UPGRADES FOR ZERO-EMISSION TRUCK DEPLOYMENTS
California’s Drive Forward Truck Forum focuses on power-readiness for fleet charging, offering guidance to carriers and shippers preparing for ACF and TRU zero-emission milestones that affect drayage and warehouse operations.
Multiple CMEs could trigger aurora visibility and temporary disturbances to satellite navigation, ELD connectivity and HF/VHF comms across parts of the U.S.; dispatchers may want contingency plans for routing and timing.
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