Before the economic "tsunami," as OOIDA member Russ Iund refers to the recession that has crippled his business, he was living the American dream. But then diesel hit nearly $5 per gallon in July 2008 and his fuel bills were running him nearly $10,000 a day to keep all of his trucks moving.

Thursday, July 2, 2009 - The California Air Resources Board has delayed enforcement of its rule restricting reefer units hauled by commercial trucks in the state. Trucks that haul reefers in California now have until Dec. 31, 2009 to meet the state's "In-Use Performance Standards" for 2001 and older reefers, rather than the July 16 enforcement date the state had been planning since January.

The West Virginia Parkways Authority, which oversees the state turnpike, voted unanimously on Wednesday, July 1, to increase tolls by 60 percent for cars and trucks.

Gov. Beverly Perdue recently signed off on a change to the fuel tax in North Carolina to prevent it from dropping. Struggling to cope with dwindling funds to pay for roadwork, lawmakers endorsed legislation to ensure the state's fuel tax rate wouldn't go down this month as expected.

An effort to attach a first-of-its-kind tax on big oil companies in the Wisconsin two-year budget has been quashed. The result was welcome news for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. The Association was quick to act in opposition to the effort several weeks ago because of concern about the effect it could have on pump prices.

Summer is officially here. The sun is out in full force, reflecting off shiny show truck paint so brightly it almost hurts to look. Grab your shades and check out some of these guaranteed-fun truck shows happening soon:

United We Ride KC, a team of Kansas City-area bicyclists, has raised more than $1 million for multiple sclerosis. This weekend, it expands its efforts in its first Freedom from Cancer Ride on July 4. Rob Richardson, known to CMT/Viacom viewers as "Hot Wire" on the popular series "Trick My Truck," is bringing a couple of 18-wheelers to the cancer ride.

For truckers traveling on I-80 over the Fourth of July weekend, the California Department of Transportation is warning of some "major delays" between Truckee and the Nevada state line.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and Land Line Magazine offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, for the Fourth of July holiday.