Truck driver Keith Rahn named TCA Highway Angel after protecting assault victim

Truck driver Keith A. Rahn of Forward Air has been awarded the Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) Highway Angel Award after intervening to protect a woman who was being physically assaulted at a Salt Lake City-area truck stop.

The incident occurred on August 10 at the Sapp Bros. Travel Center in the Salt Lake City area. According to a nomination submitted by a 33-year-old Salem, Utah, resident who was the victim of the assault, Rahn intervened after witnessing her being attacked by her husband.

Rahn had been at the truck stop for only about 20 to 30 minutes when he went outside to walk his German Shepherd. As he came around a corner, he saw a man and woman arguing. 

“I saw these two people. They were arguing. It was like a verbal altercation, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, he just slapped the daylights out of this girl,” Rahn said.

Rahn immediately told the man to stop and intervened to protect the woman.

“I told him I was going to turn my dog loose if he didn’t stop,” Rahn said. “He just stood there, like fuming mad and puffing his chest up and all that stuff. I told him once again to back up, or I’m turning my dog loose because I have a massive German Shepherd.”

The man eventually backed away, went to his car, and left the scene. Rahn brought the woman to his truck and made sure she had a safe place to stay while she arranged for a ride. He offered to contact law enforcement on her behalf, but when she declined, he respected her decision and continued to make sure she was safe.

“The presence of both Mr. Rahn and his dog made a difference,” the woman wrote in her nomination. “In a moment when I was frightened and overwhelmed, having them there provided an immediate sense of safety and comfort.”

Rahn, a U.S. Army veteran, has driven for about nine years. He said the experience reinforced a simple principle that guides his actions on the road: When someone needs help, you don’t just drive away.

TravelCenters of America raises a record $250,000 through its eighth annual charity golf outing

TravelCenters of America (TA) recently celebrated a milestone in its commitment to supporting the trucking community and human trafficking victims, raising a record $250,000 through its eighth annual charity golf outing.

Held at Springvale Golf Course in North Olmsted, Ohio, this year’s event brought together TA leadership, team members, sponsors, and industry partners for a day centered on connection, generosity, and purpose. Proceeds from the event benefit St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) and TAT (formerly known as Truckers Against Trafficking).

“What started eight years ago as an effort to make a difference has grown into something truly special,” Jason Nordin, CEO of TA, stated. “Reaching $250,000 this year is an incredible milestone, but what means even more is the impact these contributions have on professional drivers, their families, and survivors of human trafficking. We are grateful to everyone who continues to show up and support these important causes.”

From $25,000 in its first year to $250,000 in its eighth, the golf outing represents more than a fundraising milestone; it demonstrates what can happen when TA and its partners come together around a shared commitment to serve others.

GM provides Texas students with hands-on STEM experience at Circuit of the Americas

At last weekend’s Lone Star Le Mans at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), GM Motorsports hosted ‘Driven to Explore,' a two-day, hands-on STEM experience for 78 ninth grade students from Del Valle High School, Texas. The experience was in partnership with the Austin Community College Make It Center and supported by the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Students took part in structured STEM modules that connected classroom concepts to real motorsport applications, complemented by behind-the-scenes exposure to professional sports car racing at COTA.

The GM Motorsports K-12 STEM IMPACT group is co-led by GM Motorsports’ Robert Binns and Kenna Edwards.

“We started over three years ago as a small team with a clear mission: Execute student outreach events, technical activities, and strategic partnerships that expose K-12 students to real-world motorsports engineering,” Binns said. “Each team member has a personal story of how a camp or mentor inspired their own STEM career. The IMPACT group is our opportunity to give back and inspire the next generation to follow.”

The COTA program included five structured modules to support the school curriculum: Tires Science (presented by Michelin), Mini-Scrutineering, Sphero Pit Lane Challenge, Media Moguls, and a Paddock/Scrutineering Tours module with Cadillac, Hertz Team JOTA, TF Sport, and WEC officials.

“Over the past weekend, 78 local high school students stepped beyond the classroom to see firsthand how world-class engineers, technicians, and business leaders apply STEM principles in a high-pressure racing environment,” Binns said. “Working as a team, students were challenged to build a competitive car within a strict ruleset, execute a pit stop, and pitch a business and sponsorship plan to GM program leadership. They also toured the garages to get an up-close look at the race cars and personnel before watching a live practice session.”

PepsiCo Foundation recognizes 100 community organizations across the U.S. and Canada through 2026 Community Impact Awards

The PepsiCo Foundation recently revealed the recipients of its 2026 Community Impact Awards, recognizing 100 nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada with $500,000 in grants. The organizations are helping address pressing community needs, from expanding access to food and safe water to creating pathways to employment and supporting farming livelihoods.

Since launching in 2022, the program has invested more than $3.7 million in community grants across North America. Each recipient organization will receive a $5,000 grant to support its mission and continue serving its community.

"Across North America, there are organizations showing up every day for their communities, often without recognition and with limited resources,” Monica Bauer, SVP of social impact for PepsiCo and president of the PepsiCo Foundation, said. "The Community Impact Awards help shine a light on organizations that are creating opportunities, solving local challenges, and making a real difference in people's lives. What makes this program special is that the recognition comes from PepsiCo associates who know these organizations firsthand and have seen their impact up close."

You can view the full list of award recipients here. 

Toyota and Music Will empower the next generation of artists 

This year, Toyota and Music Will partnered through the Driving Music Forward initiative, a program designed to support music education, uplift diverse voices, and inspire the next generation of artists through real-world opportunities. Toyota is helping bring those opportunities to more students through a $75,000 donation.

"Organizations like Music Will demonstrate the powerful role music plays in education and community engagement," Paul Doleshal, general manager of motorsports and sponsorships at Toyota, said. "Through this initiative, we're connecting purpose-driven storytelling with tangible action, creating opportunities that allow students to perform and grow. Whether it's a classroom experience or a performance on a festival stage, we are proud to support programs that make a measurable difference in young people's lives."

The $75,000 donation will support music education programs in communities connected to Music Will and Toyota's music activations, helping ensure students have access to instruments, resources, and opportunities to develop their talents. 

"As we enter year two of our partnership, Toyota's continued commitment is making a profound impact on modern music programs in public school classrooms nationwide," Janice Polizzotto, chief growth officer, Music Will, said "By pairing this ongoing support with once-in-a-lifetime, real-world festival opportunities, we're giving students an unforgettable platform for creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Together, we're helping youth thrive by showing them that their passion and potential truly matter."

Throughout the year, students participating in Music Will programs experienced some of the nation's biggest festivals, performing on the Toyota Music Den stage, including Sueños Music Festival in Chicago, Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, Lollapalooza in Chicago, and Head In The Clouds in Los Angeles. These performances gave students exposure to live audiences and the experience of participating in nationally recognized music festivals.