LLN (7/8/21) – First comes better training, then comes safer roads – which is the goal of a new registry just launched by the FMCSA after a long wait. One state looks into joining a regional climate pact, while another looks to inject tens of millions into its roads and bridges. Plus, an executive order that takes aim at right-to-repair rules and the ongoing computer chip shortage.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – Training Provider Registry, $900M in grants and Operation Save Driver Week.

25:06 – Rhode Island climate pact and Massachusetts infrastructure.

39:54 – Right to repair rules and computer chip shortage.

LLN (7/7/21) – It’s already been a crazy year for freight and rates, but reading the tea leaves suggests it could get even crazier. Signing up for the wrong coverage under the wrong insurance company could sink you, especially if your authority is new. Plus, another small step toward a possible infrastructure agreement.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – Crazy year for freight and rates.

25:06 – New authority pitfalls when getting insured.

39:54 – Infrastructure talks continue.

LLN (7/6/21) – Traveling and working alongside your dog can be a great comfort, but if you ever have a medical emergency, you are to going to be left asking, “What happens to my dog?” – unless you have a plan in place. Four states are making moves on vehicles that don’t move over from the left lane, while Colorado commits to funding transportation projects. And the push in Washington D.C. to pump one billion dollars into truck parking.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – I’m in the hospital. What happens to my dog?

25:06 – Left lane use changes; Colorado transportation funding.

39:54 – $1 billion for truck parking? Yes please.

LLN (7/5/21) – A U.S. representative has signed a letter complaining about the high price local commuter railroads will have to pay for liability insurance. However, he’s also introduced a bill to do exactly the same thing to trucking operations. And owner-operators may pay the price. We’ll offer up an encore of our report on the situation and how it could affect your bottom line. Also on today’s program: July is going to be a busy month in trucking, mostly for bad reasons; a major enforcement blitz is a short week or so away and truck thefts and scam calls are likely to go up; and we’ll review a recent report on motor vehicle deaths.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – Congressman: Liability increase bad for rail, good for trucks – Part I.

25:07 – Congressman: Liability increase bad for rail, good for trucks – Part I.

39:57 – The latest on the highway bill.

LLN (7/2/21) – Marty Ellis just went through one of America’s biggest current highway messes – near Memphis, Tenn., where a bridge closure in the area has caused huge backups – and he has some advice. Meanwhile, he’s doing some deep thinking about the Peter Principle in government. Also, we’ll talk with the top winner of the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship; Shell Rotella and OOIDA will honor drivers who “Go Safely”; and who will haul this year’s Capitol Christmas Tree. And now that the U.S. House has approved its version of the highway bill, what are the paths available to get something done?

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – Scholarship winner; Shell Go Safely Award; Capitol Christmas Tree.

25:06 – Memphis backups; the Peter Principle; rating doctors.

39:54 – What’s next for the highway bill.

LLN (7/1/21) – A major enforcement blitz is a week or so away, and truck thefts and scam calls are likely to go up. We’ll review a recent report on motor vehicle deaths. A federal agency finally demands some detailed information about autonomous vehicle problems, while a deadline is set for entry-level driver training. And if you travel through one of eight states after this weekend, the price at the pump is likely to be different than a short time before, as fuel tax changes go into effect. Meanwhile, North Dakota plans a test of longer, heavier trucks.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – Autonomous vehicle information; entry-level driver training deadline.

25:07 – State fuel tax changes; longer, heavier trucks.

39:57 – Operation Safe Driver; truck thefts; scam calls; motor vehicle deaths report.

LLN (6/30/21) – Minneapolis wants to ban all truck parking on city streets – and a vote is coming soon. We’ll take a look at the issue, including what truckers can do. Also, the Fourth of July weekend is upon us and that means lots of freight in the form of beef, hot dogs and, of course, fireworks. And the proposed House highway bill has taken another step toward a vote of the full U.S. House – and it continues to contain a significant number of anti-trucking provisions. However, now several more trucking related amendments have been proposed.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – Proposed truck parking ban in Minneapolis.

25:07 – Fireworks and freight.

39:57 – The latest on the highway bill.

LLN (6/29/21) – Connecticut’s governor has made it clear that he has little regard for truck drivers and the work they do. Also, you take good care of your truck – but you might be neglecting yourself. We’ll offer advice to get on the right path, from healthier eating habits to workouts on the road. The Minneapolis City Council may soon ban truck parking on all city streets. OOIDA has issued a Call to Action. And the proposed House version of the highway bill is making its way to a vote – despite numerous anti-truck provisions. We’ll explain where the process stands, what’s next and why it matters.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – Fitness and diet advice for on the road.

25:07 – Connecticut targets truckers; Minneapolis truck parking ban.

39:57 – The fight over the highway bill.

LLN (6/28/21) – A significant tax on truckers only is now law in Connecticut, while the highway bill may finally address a problem for car haulers. Also, what happens if you don’t file your taxes? Despite what some people say, it doesn’t usually end well, and it happens more than you’d think. But you can get help and make it through. And the latest issue of Land Line Magazine is the latest sign that things are returning to “normal.” From trading up and sprucing up your rig to reviews on the newest trucks, we’ll take a look at the June issue.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – Filing past due tax returns.

25:07 – Trading up, sprucing up and buying new.

39:57 – Connecticut truck-only tax; car hauler relief.

LLN (6/25/21) – We’ll report about what Pennsylvania’s doing to stem the truck parking crisis, why a recent study on truck parking was a surprise, and a couple of updates out of Washington. Also, Marty Ellis is talking with truckers about dash cams – and generally, drivers love the ones that face out, and are burning mad at the ones that face the driver, for pretty obvious reasons. And it’s no secret that much of the legislation that gets introduced into Congress is driven by special interests. But many of those bills end up in the dustbin. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security is finding ways to get a leg up on highway-blocking protests.

0:00 – Newscast.

10:15 – The Parking Zone.

25:07 – Dash cams.

39:57 – Why bills end up in the dustbin; dealing with highway protests.