Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. Paccar just set aside $945 million in an SEC filing yesterday to cover a potential fallout from a European Union antitrust ruling on truck-industry pricing, The Seattle Times reports. According to the report, the EU told heavy-vehicle manufacturers in November 2014 that it was looking into potential price-fixing issues, following up on an investigation that started in January 2011. The Times said the commission is concerned that some truck makers may have agreed to or coordinated pricing in Europe, which would violate EU antitrust rules barring cartels and restrictive best practices. The Times has more. 2. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation, all major modes of transportation carried less freight by value with NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico in January 2016 than in the previous year. Trucks carried 66.5% of freight and continued to be the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods, according to DOT.3. Truckers have partnered with the attorney general of Texas in a fight to end human trafficking. According to Breit Bart, Texas is the second highest state in the nation for reports to the National Human Trafficking Resources Center, and Houston has the highest number of trafficking victims in the nation. Breit Bart has more.4. Michigan lawmakers have agreed on a law that requires the posting of human trafficking notices in rest stops, strip clubs, airports, and bus and train stations, 9&10 News reports. The bill says the notices must reference the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline as a place for victims to get help and services.5. Former Wal-Mart exec Susan Chambers has been added to USA Truck’s board of directors, Arkansas Online reports. According to the report, Chambers retired from Wal-Mart in July, and her appointment continues the company’s efforts to strengthen its government structure.
