VOL. 46 | NO. 13 | Friday, April 1, 2022
Lawmakers pass fix to operator shortage that might not exist
The American Trucking Association sounded an alarm in October concerning the nation’s “historic high” truck driver shortage, estimating that an additional 80,000 drivers were needed to meet freight demands.
The year was 1979, and Ingrid Brown was keen on the idea of becoming a truck driver during an era when there were few women in the industry – and even fewer in Mountain City, near Bristol.
Even as the need for drivers grows, the industry is moving toward an electric and autonomous truck future. Though years away, what was fantasy could become reality with autonomous trucks serving delivering goods that keep the nation rolling.
JOE ROGERS: MY TAKE
News that the U.S. Senate had passed a bill that could establish permanent daylight saving time took me quite by surprise.
UT SPORTS
Reaching the Sweet 16 used to be a birthright for the Tennessee women’s basketball program. It was just another stop on the road to the bigger prize. But after six years away, the Lady Vols can appreciate how much it took to get back while also wondering what might have been if the team had ever been at full strength.
NEWSMAKERS
The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges has named Dr. Barry T. Rouse as the recipient of the 2022 AAVMC Excellence in Research Award.
BRIEFS
Tennessee could grow by nearly a million people during the next 20 years and reach a total population of 7.87 million by 2040, a study by the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research finds.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
We’re living in a golden age of off-road pickup trucks that you can buy straight from the factory, and the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX are the most high-profile examples.
PERSONAL FINANCE
After a working lifetime of alarm clocks and meetings, you might be looking forward to a lot more unstructured time once you retire. But taking care of one more to-do list early on can set you up for a better retirement.
BUSINESS BOOK REVIEW
It’s hard not to “LIKE” videos of kittens. Seriously, they’re so cute. Puppies, too. You gotta LOVE dogs, CARE on this post, SAD on that comment and before you know it, a half-hour of your workday is gone.
MILLENNIAL MONEY
Sure, you want to feel joy and love upon receiving a wedding invitation. But one little postcard or email can also pack loads of pricy pressure.