If you spend any time in automotive comment sections, you’ve seen it. Someone inevitably points to a cutting-edge EV from China and declares it superior to whatever U.S.-market model is under discussion. There’s a huge catch, though: that vehicle doesn’t actually exist in the American marketplace.

More: BYD Got In America Through The Back Door, Now It Wants The Front One Too

It’s not federally certified, not sold through U.S. dealers, not supported by a domestic service network, and not priced with tariffs factored in. It’s a theoretical alternative, not a real one, and new research helps explain why this dynamic exists. Americans are forming opinions about Chinese automakers before most have ever seen one in person.

According to a study from Cox Automotive, consumers are heavily divided. Around 38 percent of shoppers say that they’re extremely or very likely to consider a Chinese brand. Another 39 percent says the opposite, that they’re extremely unlikely to do so. Among Gen Z buyers, the openness jumps to a whopping 69 percent, so if this ever does happen, expect the marketing to skew toward younger folks.

That split implies any early traction would likely be concentrated within specific demographics rather than spread across the broader market, creating both opportunity and risk for established players.

That said, actual awareness is thin. Nearly half of those surveyed said they were familiar with Chinese brands, but actual brand knowledge falls off a cliff quickly. BYD is the brand most are familiar with and that made up just over one-third of respondents. In total, only 17 percent said they had a deeper awareness of it. That’s a pretty big insight gap.

Dealer familiarity lags even further behind, with only about a quarter reporting any awareness of BYD, a reminder of how preliminary this conversation still is at the retail level.

Chinese Brand Awareness and Familiarity

Shoppers Vs Sellers

While around 40 percent of consumers say that they’re interested in Chinese brands coming to America, dealers, the ones with the real power, aren’t so hot on it. Only 15 percent said they’d like these brands in the USA. In fact, 92 percent of dealers reported concerns about selling Chinese vehicles. They cited everything from reliability to safety to long-term viability. That hesitation matters even more than the fact that some 60 percent of buyers aren’t interested.

The research also found that roughly 70 percent of dealers would adjust their business strategies if Chinese brands entered the market, suggesting preparation may follow skepticism.

Partnerships could shift the equation, though. When consumers were asked to consider a Chinese automaker aligned with an established U.S. brand, purchase consideration rose sharply to 76 percent, indicating that brand pairing may influence acceptance as much as pricing or product.

The Attraction

Interest does not appear to hinge on technology, styling, or practicality. It comes down to price. Nearly half of consumers rate them positively for affordability, and 35 percent give strong marks for performance. No doubt, we’ve seen pricing for Chinese automobiles undercut just about every other brand. But durability, safety, quality, and reliability fall short, and those are precisely the fundamentals that drive mainstream purchase decisions.

When consumers directly compared specific models, Tesla’s Model Y maintained a clear edge among EV shoppers, and the Chevrolet Equinox led among ICE vehicles, reinforcing the staying power of established nameplates.

However, when steep price discounts were introduced into side-by-side comparisons, a meaningful share of buyers indicated they would switch, particularly among lower-income and more price-sensitive groups.

Dealer and Consumer Comparisons (Strongly or Somewhat Agree)

Established U.S. brands still hold the advantage, buoyed by trust and familiarity. Price can narrow that gap, especially among more cost-sensitive buyers, but it doesn’t erase it. And it’s why those folks in the comment section suggesting that readers get a BYD Dolphin instead of whatever is actually available might have to wait a while longer before that comment makes any sense.

Consumers Rate Chinese Brands Lower on Buying Criteria (Durability, Quality, Safety and Reliability)

Choosing Between Brands: U.S. vs. China

The Murphy Police Department in North Texas has become the first agency to roll out the refreshed 2026 Tesla Model Y Patrol, upgraded by Unplugged Performance. Instead of committing to a full fleet replacement, the department is running the EV in real-world conditions to see how it holds up to daily patrol duty.

Officials say the more persuasive case is financial. Each cruiser is projected to deliver measurable savings compared to a traditional ICE-powered patrol vehicle.

More: There’s A New Contender For The World’s Coolest Police Car

According to data from the City of Murphy, projected annual savings per vehicle range from $4,100 for single-officer units to as much as $12,000 for shared-shift cars clocking more than 140 hours per week. The bulk of that comes from eliminating fuel purchases, though the department will still incur electricity costs, along with a 75% reduction in maintenance compared to gasoline vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Explorer.

No Idling Wear

The savings story does not stop at fuel and oil changes. EVs do not suffer engine wear from constant idling, which accounts for roughly 60% of a patrol car’s working life. As a result, they are expected to remain in service for up to twice as long as an ICE-powered equivalent.

More: Tesla Cybertruck Joins The Police, May Pull You Over This Year (If It Doesn’t Break Down)

Given that every hour spent idling is effectively equal to 33-35 miles (53-56 km) of driving wear, that difference adds up quickly. Without a combustion engine ticking away under the hood, the Model Y can sit on scene running lights, laptops, and climate control off its battery, without quietly shortening its lifespan.

Juniper Patrol Cars

On the hardware front, the facelifted Tesla Model Y Juniper has been converted into a patrol unit by UP.FIT, the specialized fleet division of Unplugged Performance. Compared to the road-going version, it gains a front push bar, additional LEDs at the front and sides, a roof-mounted siren, and 18-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in pursuit-rated tires.

The police car is offered in RWD and AWD configurations, using the standard electric powertrains and delivering between 321-357 miles (517-574 km) of range per charge. That is more than enough for routine duty. And because police work occasionally involves pursuits, braking performance has been upgraded with six-piston calipers, stainless steel brake lines, specialized fluids, thermally upgraded components, and uprated rotors.

More: A Traffic Cop Just Got A 1,001 HP Company Car

Inside, officers get ventilated seats and improved sound insulation. Each vehicle is retrofitted with a customizable center console, a laptop mount, two weapon mounts, upgraded interior lighting, and a single rear prisoner partition.

Optional extras include ballistic protection for the front doors and custom reflective graphics.

UP.FIT has not disclosed the final MSRP for the Murphy units, though it insists the total cost of ownership undercuts everything else in the segment. Beyond the Model Y crossover, the company also offers police-ready conversions for the Cybertruck, Model S/X, and Model 3, in case your local department prefers its patrol cars in a different shape.

UP.FIT / Unplugged Performance

If the Bentayga proved anything, it is that Bentley buyers have no issue with a luxury SUV wearing a winged badge. So a second one was never really in doubt. That follow-up is now deep into development, and it has just been spotted winter testing for the first time.

For now, it is referred to as the Urban SUV, though that name is almost certainly temporary. It will sit below the Bentayga in the range and, more significantly, it will be fully electric. Yes, the EV market has cooled slightly, but Bentley appears confident that its customers are still ready for a battery-powered SUV with the right badge on the nose.

Read: Bentley’s New Urban SUV Copies A Controversial Feature From Audi’s Q3

Several prototypes have been seen out on the road in recent months, but this is the first time one has appeared wearing this darker, more dramatic camouflage scheme. It’s been adorned with a large LED light bar at the front, ensuring the engineers testing it can still see after the sun sets in the depths of Europe’s winter.

SH Proshots

Most of the Urban SUV’s shape is still carefully disguised, but a few details are slipping through. Up front, the headlights feature four distinct lighting elements, giving it a signature that sets it apart from today’s Bentleys. Around the back, temporary cladding does its best to obscure the view, though slim LED taillights are clearly visible beneath the camouflage.

A Porsche Powertrain

Bentley is building its second SUV on the same Premium Platform Electric architecture as the new Porsche Cayenne Electric. That strongly suggests plenty of shared hardware with its German cousin, potentially including battery packs and motor configurations.

As it stands, the entry-level Cayenne Electric delivers 402 hp and tops out at 1,039 hp in the extraordinary Turbo variant. Our hunch is that the base Bentley will deliver around 600 hp. Whether or not it receives a flagship version with a four-digit horsepower figure remains uncertain.

One figure Bentley does seem keen to emphasize is charging speed. The SUV is expected to support ultra-fast DC charging, with the promise of adding 100 miles (160 km) of range in just seven minutes.

Audi Meets Porsche Inside

Late last year, our spy photographers finally caught the cabin in clear view. The images show a curved central infotainment screen that looks very close to the setup in the Cayenne Electric, paired with a separate digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver. It is familiar architecture, even if the surrounding materials will inevitably be pure Bentley.

There is more evidence of parts sharing lower down the steering column. Bentley’s compact electric SUV appears to use the same multi-function stalk arrangement as the new Audi Q3. Indicators, wipers, and headlight controls are grouped on the left stalk, while the right is dedicated solely to the shifter.

As for timing, Bentley could give us our first proper look at the production-ready model later this year. Customer deliveries of the Urban SUV are expected to begin in 2027, which gives Crewe a little time to perfect the details and, presumably, settle on a name that is not “Urban SUV.”

SH Proshots

For the first time ever, scientists have uncovered a vast field of tektites in Brazil — mysterious glassy fragments forged when a powerful extraterrestrial object slammed into Earth about 6.3 million years ago. Named “geraisites” after Minas Gerais, where they were first found, these dark, aerodynamic droplets of natural glass stretch across more than 900 kilometers and may mark one of South America’s most significant ancient impact events.

Scientists in Brazil have transformed cocoa waste into a functional chocolate-infused honey packed with antioxidants and natural stimulants. Using ultrasound waves, they enhanced honey’s ability to pull beneficial compounds from cocoa shells—no synthetic solvents required. The process is considered green and sustainable, and the product could find its way into gourmet foods and cosmetics.

Scientists at Rice University have produced the first full, dye-free molecular atlas of an Alzheimer’s brain. By combining laser-based imaging with machine learning, they uncovered chemical changes that spread unevenly across the brain and extend beyond amyloid plaques. Key memory regions showed major shifts in cholesterol and energy-related molecules. The findings hint that Alzheimer’s is a whole-brain metabolic disruption—not just a protein problem.

That photogenic cup of bubble tea may come with hidden downsides. Tapioca pearls made from cassava can absorb heavy metals like lead, and in large amounts they may slow digestion or even cause blockages. The drink is often loaded with sugar—sometimes more than soda—raising risks for cavities, obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. There are even reports linking frequent consumption to kidney stones and poorer mental health.

Scientists at Oregon State University have engineered a powerful new nanomaterial that zeroes in on cancer cells and destroys them from the inside out. Designed to exploit cancer’s unique chemistry—its acidity and high hydrogen peroxide levels—the tiny iron-based structure sparks not one but two intense chemical reactions, flooding tumors with cell-damaging oxygen molecules. This dual attack overwhelms cancer cells with oxidative stress while sparing healthy tissue.

Astronomers have long known the universe is expanding—but exactly how fast remains one of the biggest mysteries in cosmology. Different techniques for measuring the Hubble constant stubbornly disagree, creating the so-called “Hubble tension.” Now researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Chicago have unveiled a bold new way to weigh in on the debate using gravitational waves—the faint ripples in spacetime produced by colliding black holes.

Scientists have pulled off a feat long considered out of reach: getting light to mimic the famous quantum Hall effect. In their experiment, photons drift sideways in perfectly defined, quantized steps—just like electrons do in powerful magnetic fields. Because these steps depend only on nature’s fundamental constants, they could become a new gold standard for ultra-precise measurements. The discovery also hints at tougher, more reliable quantum photonic technologies.

Jupiter’s icy moons may have been seeded with the chemical ingredients for life from the very beginning. An international team of scientists modeled how complex organic molecules—essential building blocks for biology—could have formed in the swirling disk of gas and dust around the young Sun and later been carried into Jupiter’s own moon-forming disk. Their results suggest that up to half of the icy material that built moons like Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto may have delivered freshly made organic compounds without being chemically destroyed.

Wisconsin's congressional delegation split along party lines with a combination of support and outrage after Saturday's U.S. - Israeli attack in Iran that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Here's what they had to say.

The post Wisconsin congressional delegation reacts to attack on Iran appeared first on WPR.

Demonstrators took to the streets in cities around the world after the United States and Israel launched a major strike on Iran. Many rallies voiced strong support for the military action, […]

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When school districts talk about closing buildings, redistricting and changing routes, transportation is often expected to “just make it work.” For Clara Bisaillon, transportation supervisor at Scotia Glenville CSD in upstate New York, that was no longer acceptable without better tools in place.

“There’s a difference between want and need,” Clara said. “And getting everybody else to understand that… those tablets, the Wayfinder tablets, are really a need.”

Her urgency came from what she sees coming next year: school closures, major route changes, and drivers being sent into unfamiliar territory.

“If I don’t get them up and running and make sure that we have our system set, we’re in the water next year when we make those changes of closing an elementary school and throwing my drivers into areas they’ve not been,” she said. “They don’t know those kiddos yet, they don’t know those areas.”

For Clara, this isn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about protecting her people. “The one thing I want to do is give my staff tools to make sure that those challenges are minimized as much as possible,” she said.

She knows how close many drivers already are to the breaking point. “We ask a lot of our drivers,” Clara explained. “We’re adding extra routes to cover for their co-workers… and just people who are frustrated with student behavior. Those are the things that really tip the scale for those drivers to say this isn’t worth it anymore.”

That’s why she changed her message to district leadership. This was no longer a “nice to have.”

“It’s the only tool that I can offer my staff to kind of make them… feel like it’s going to be OK,” she said. “We’re going to be in uncertain environments and uncertain times with uncertain kids, but these are the tools that I’m going to provide you.”

The start of a new year always come with some jitters, she said. “We’re going to minimize that with these tablets.”

What finally sealed the decision was data. After testing Wayfinder for two weeks, Clara saw its impact. “The stats that get provided, the ridership, the times, the updating, the stops, the drivers being able to give me feedback on the routes—what was working, what wasn’t working—that two-week time frame gave me so much fighting power,” she said. “That really sealed the deal.”

For transportation leaders waiting on the sidelines, Clara had a warning: delays may cost more than time. With chip shortages and districts adopting tablets at once, supply is tightening. If people hold on their decision and wait on their decisions, they might find themselves not being able to get up and running, she said.

And the mindset has shifted across the industry. “A lot of us are saying now that it’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Clara said. “This has definitely shifted in our mindset.”

Ultimately, her argument came back to value—of the drivers and the operation. “It’s an extra tool not only for your driver for working, but you want them to feel valued,” she said. “It’s going to make my drivers know that they are valued even more.”

For school transportation leaders facing route upheaval, staffing shortages and rising scrutiny, Clara’s message is clear: waiting carries its own risk. “You gotta fight for every little tool that you give,” she said. “You gotta be willing to fight for them.”

To learn more about how Transfinder technology can help your operation navigating challenges, email solutions@transfinder.com, visit transfinder.com/solutions or call 800-373-3609.

The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.

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Budgets are tight, drivers are hard to come by, and districts are under pressure to do more with less. School bus operations still need to rely on modern technology to meet the complex requirements of transporting students safely, efficiently and on time. Identifying the operational, functional, technical, and financial needs that truly matter can feel overwhelming, as can choosing a provider. Where to start?

Download this white paper for clear guidance on evaluating your organization’s needs and selecting a partner who delivers long-term value.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Take a wide, objective look at your operation to understand what’s needed.
• Identify how new technologies will impact end users and other departments.
• Define KPIs with potential partners and calculate projected ROI.
• Evaluate providers in detail to assess their long-term potential.
• Ensure compliance and look for strong integrations across systems.

Fill out the form below and then check your email for the white paper download link.

The post (Free White Paper) 7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Technology Partner appeared first on School Transportation News.

EverDriven is expanding its support for school districts with the launch of a new school bus routing consulting service designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs and ease staff burnout without requiring a change to existing software platforms.

The new offering, currently in early development and pilot planning stages, will focus on providing expert routing support for districts nationwide. Rather than introducing proprietary school bus routing software, EverDriven will work within the systems districts already use.

“We’re not forcing districts into new platforms,” explained Greg Jackson, who was recently hired as general manager of EverDriven’s new school bus services division. “We’re coming in vendor agnostic, preserving their workflows and institutional knowledge and helping them operate more efficiently.”

The service will combine remote routing work with periodic on-site visits to build relationships with transportation directors, office staff and drivers. Jackson emphasized that maintaining a human connection is critical to long-term success.

“We’re going to come into your community, sit down with your team and work alongside you,” said Jackson, who was the 2019 STN Transportation Director of the Year for his work at JeffCo Public Schools in Colorado.

EverDriven’s Routing Process

 

Greg Jackson, the general manager of EverDriven’s new school bus services division, explained that the company organizes its services into two distinct areas: Alternative student transportation, which provides individualized transportation for students with unique learning needs or housing instability, and consolidated routing services, which integrate school buses, vans and alternative transportation into a unified strategy. Each service has specialized teams and processes due to their differing operational requirements.

 

While school bus routing focuses on large-scale, fixed-route planning aligned with schedules, capacity, geographic boundaries, vehicle type and ride-time standards, alternative transportation requires a more individualized and dynamic approach. Drawing on over 20 years of experience and leadership from former transportation directors, EverDriven delivers efficient, safe, and optimized routing designed to reduce costs, improve on-time performance, shorten ride times, and quickly adapt to daily changes, Jackson said.

 

Routing oversight is collaborative. School districts typically provide student data, service requirements, and guidelines, while EverDriven develops routes within those parameters. Districts maintain full visibility into route plans and performance and may choose to be highly involved in route design or rely on EverDriven to lead, depending on their preference. Routing is an ongoing partnership, with school districts regularly providing feedback and updates to ensure routes remain safe, practical and aligned with district goals.

 

“We view routing as a partnership built on shared goals and well defined roles and responsibilities,” Jackson said. “District teams bring critical local knowledge about communities, schools and student needs. Our routing specialists bring experience, deep technical abilities, and process consistency. Together, this collaboration ensures routes remain practical, safe, and aligned with district goals throughout the school year.”

 

EverDriven takes a technology-agnostic approach, working within a school district’s existing routing systems rather than requiring proprietary software. Integration focuses on secure data sharing, validation, and structured reporting, allowing districts to retain ownership of their systems while benefiting from EverDriven’s routing expertise.

 

Read more about partnering with vendors and the importance of collaboration in the March issue of School Transportation News

EverDriven said assigned school bus routing specialists will collaborate closely with school district leaders and IT departments to establish data-sharing protocols, validate student information and normalize routing data before making adjustments. Data points include enrollment, home addresses, bell schedules, eligibility requirements and accommodations for students with disabilities or those eligible under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

EverDriven Focuses on Efficiency, Budget Relief

The consulting model is designed to help districts address rising transportation costs and driver shortages. By taking a deep dive into existing routes, EverDriven said it aims to identify opportunities to consolidate routes, reduce overtime and improve vehicle utilization.

Jackson noted that many school districts struggle with overtime budgets and staffing challenges, especially when routing staff are also required to drive routes. By shifting routing responsibilities to a dedicated external specialist, he said, districts can reduce burnout and allow in-house teams to focus on daily operations and safety oversight.

“[School] boards are asking why costs keep rising,” Jackson explained. “If we can help combine routes, reduce overtime and improve efficiency, the service pays for itself.”

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Related: Ins, Outs of Routing Software Discussed at STN EXPO Reno
Related: School Districts Use Data, Routing For Medicaid Reimbursements

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The new school bus routing consulting arm will operate separately from EverDriven’s existing alternative transportation division. While there may be collaboration between divisions, school bus routing consulting is positioned as a standalone support function.

School districts will not need to be EverDriven alternative transportation customers to access the new routing consulting service.

“This is about helping districts be more efficient,” Jackson said, adding that EverDriven plans to launch pilot programs in select markets to refine the service before a broader rollout.

Feedback from participating districts and the company’s customer advisory board will shape final implementation, he added.

“We’re in the beginning phases,” Jackson said, noting that details on pilot opportunities are expected in the coming months. “But the focus is student first. And now, student first with district support.”

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For Clifford Jones, Superintendent of Horry County Schools in Conway, South Carolina, student safety isn’t just a priority; it’s a responsibility that travels approximately six million miles every single year.

With one of the largest geographic school districts in South Carolina, Horry County’s fleet covers urban corridors, coastal routes and rural roads alike. Each morning and afternoon, buses carry thousands of students across the large county. Like districts nationwide, Horry County began seeing a disturbing trend: the growing challenges of resolving onboard incidents without clear evidence.

“AngelTrax cameras on our buses support the district’s student safety goals by improving supervision, discouraging misbehavior, and helping us investigate incidents, all of which advance our commitment to safe, equitable, and accountable transportation,” Jones explained.

Identifying the Need

The responsibility of protecting thousands of students prompted the district leadership to explore camera solutions. Without video evidence, protecting students from interior incidents, from student behavior concerns to accident investigations, required more efficient documentation.

“AngelTrax provides a solution that would allow us to retrieve video from the bus specific to the concern that we were trying to address,” explained Robert Grimes, transportation coordinator for the district. “This video could then be shared with the school to allow administrators to better handle the situation.”

The district also recognized the value of providing drivers with added layers of protection and accountability. Videos would provide objective clarity and documentation should any issues arise.

“Bus drivers seem to be appreciative of the fact that there is video footage that can help with the management of bus behaviors,” Grimes added.

Measurable Impact

After evaluating multiple options, the district selected AngelTrax as its mobile security and surveillance partner, equipping buses with interior cameras to help deter onboard incidents. Since then, Horry County Schools has installed cameras on approximately 450 buses currently in service, covering roughly 1,500 bus routes.

Since installing the cameras in 2017, as one of the first school districts in the country to use AngelTrax’s Vulcan Series cameras, the district has observed meaningful improvements in student behavior on their school buses.

The presence of cameras has increased awareness around school bus safety across the community.

“Based on my understanding, the cameras have enhanced the peace of mind for parents, students, and drivers by increasing accountability, deterring poor behavior, and providing clear evidence when incidents occur,” Jones shared. “We share school bus safety information with students, families, staff, and the community using multiple channels. These channels include sharing information during open house events, as well as through printed and digital/video materials, our website and social media platforms, ensuring that everyone is aware of the expectations, procedures and the process for reporting concerns.”

A Driver’s Perspective

For veteran bus driver Steven Lombardi, the cameras have made a noticeable difference in safety, noting that in the past, he has witnessed everything from students out of their seat, to throwing objects, fighting and other behavioral issues.

“I have never been a driver when there were no cameras on the bus,” Lombardi noted. “However, prior to having the AngelTrax cameras, we had a much less dependable camera which made capturing data more difficult.”

He said he believes the presence of the AngelTrax cameras positively influences student behavior.

“When I tell students that there are cameras on the bus generally, they are less likely to misbehave,” Lombardi added.

For Lombardi, the investment Horry County Schools made in camera technology represents more than a safety upgrade. It reinforces a culture of accountability and care.

“Knowing that there is a camera system to assist with capturing behaviors gives me a sense of relief,” he shared. “I would be hesitant to drive a bus that did not have cameras.”

As Horry County Schools continues to evaluate data and refine its transportation strategies, one goal remains constant: ensuring every student arrives safely, every mile, every day.

About AngelTrax

AngelTrax is a leading designer, manufacturer and provider of in-vehicle mobile surveillance for school buses and school white fleets. Powered by AngelTrax, the Child Safety Program automated stop arm violation system is created to keep kids safer by changing driver behavior, from violation detection to citation through adjudication. AngelTrax drives the market with state-of-the-art products, including Vulcan Series MDVRs and MNVRs, stop arm photo enforcement technology with AI detection, 360-degree camera systems, IP cameras, HD cameras, live view, live tracking and driver behavior with AI. AngelTrax is a CJIS-compliant organization and strategic partner with Nlets for accurate DMV data.

The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.

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Learn more about the teamwork needed to keep operations running smoothly at student transportation operations. Cover stars from Loudoun County in Virginia highlight the importance of working together and with their routing software provider. Also read articles on the benefits of school bus LED lighting, beyond safety considerations, how districts are choosing the best fuel options for them, the usage of parent apps and how RFP’s and pilot programs can help districts find the best transportation technology solutions.

Find the full STN EXPO East preview for the upcoming conference in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina.

Read the full March 2026 issue.

Cover Story

Hand-in-Hand
Communication between vendor partners and customers is the key to developing successful, safe routes for students.

Features

The One & Only
School districts and companies are realizing the maintenance and time savings of LEDs, despite the higher upfront cost compared to incandescent lighting.

More Than Fuel Costs
Among the various options available, districts are leaning into the fuel that makes the most sense for their local operations.

Special Reports

Where is the Bus?
School districts report that using parent apps have helped streamline their operations, and software providers are seeing increased community usage.

More Than a Letter Game
Pilot programs are vital to the RFP process by helping school districts confirm if a chosen solution does what is promised.

STN EXPO East Preview
Prepare for the content, community and commerce waiting this month in Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
The Security of Consistency

Thought Leader by Jim Harris
The Intersection of Autonomous Vehicles and School Buses

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Ignite Your Leadership

The post March 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.

President Donald Trump promoted his second-term record in a wide-ranging speech at the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas on Friday, building on themes from his State of the Union address earlier in the week.

But he did not issue a highly anticipated endorsement just days before a heated U.S. Senate primary that’s pitted incumbent John Cornyn against two challengers, state Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt.

Before the event, Trump told reporters he had “pretty much” decided on who he would endorse in the midterm election contest, but wouldn’t do so Friday, according to a White House pool report.

While leaving the White House en route to Texas earlier in the day, Trump also suggested he might direct a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, saying the Cuban American community would appreciate such action.

“We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba after many, many years,” he told reporters. “They’re in big trouble, and we could very well (do) something good, I think, very positive for the people that were expelled or worse, from Cuba that live here.”

Tensions are high between the United States and Cuba. The Cuban government said Thursday its border patrol killed four Cuban expatriates living in the United States who sought to infiltrate the country in a speedboat.

Little discussion of energy policy

The Texas speech was advertised as an address on energy, and Trump spoke in front of signs reading “American Energy Dominance” and against a backdrop of oil tankers. 

But he hardly mentioned the issue apart from short sections at the start and end of his remarks in which he claimed credit for lowering gas prices. 

Instead, the president jumped from topic to topic, defending his administration’s controversial record on immigration enforcement and a military operation in Venezuela while attacking Democrats as out of touch and ramping up calls for election administration changes he said would keep the party from winning future elections. 

Among them are the House-passed SAVE America Act, which would require the public to produce a passport or birth certificate in most cases to register to vote. While it has little chance of Senate passage, Trump has continued to advocate for it.

He claimed, without evidence, that Democrats can only win elections by cheating. If Congress makes changes to national elections laws, the party would be shut out, he said.

“They will never win because their policy is no good,” he said. “They want men playing in women’s sports. They want transgender for everyone. They want open borders so that the world’s criminals can pour into our country, which we’ve done a good job. I’ll tell you what: ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has done such a great job.”

Midterm stakes

Trump joked early in the appearance that he was advised to not make political statements.

But several of his digressions were focused on elections this year and beyond.

After exulting, in sometimes exaggerated language, his record through one year of unified GOP control, he said it was crucial for Republicans to maintain their majorities in the U.S. House and Senate. 

Noting that Democratic members did not stand and applaud at several points of his State of the Union address, a point that Republicans have seized upon repeatedly as a campaign issue in the days since the speech, Trump said the Democrats were “crazy.”

“They’re crazy,” he said. “We got to win midterms. We brought this country back. We don’t want to lose the midterms. We got to win the midterms.”

Election forecasters project the most likely outcome of November’s midterms is for Democrats to gain control of the House while Republicans keep the Senate. Very few seats are seen as toss-ups.

Trump also teased a potential third presidential term, which would violate the Constitution’s prohibition of more than two terms. He said he was entitled to another term because an election was “stolen” from him, a reference to the 2020 election that he lost to Joe Biden and ever since has claimed, without evidence, wrongly decided.

“Maybe we do one more term. Should we do one more?” he asked the crowd. “Well, we’re entitled to it because they cheated like hell in the second.”

Texas Senate GOP battle

In the Senate contest, Trump shouted out Cornyn, Paxton and Hunt, without indicating which he might favor.

Election Day is Tuesday, though with three major candidates, it is likely headed for a May runoff between Cornyn and Paxton.

Trump wore a version of his signature red hat with the phrase “Gulf of America” across the front instead of the usual “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.

Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico early in his second term. Corpus Christi’s port is on the gulf.

Venezuela 

At the open and close of the roughly hourlong speech, Trump promoted his energy policy and criticized Biden for regulations that Trump said slowed energy production. 

By boosting production and bringing in oil from Venezuela after deposing leftist President Nicolás Maduro in January, Trump said he has brought down the price of gas and consumer products across the board.

Biden and congressional Democrats “waged a radical-left war on American oil and natural gas like you’ve never seen before,” he said. “They were killing our country…. All of that changed my first day back in office.”

The latest government statistics, though, show that energy costs in January were about the same as they were when Trump took office, dropping only .1%, while inflation in the economy as a whole stubbornly continues at about 2.4%.

U.S. involvement in Venezuela, following Maduro’s capture, would also help spur the energy sector, Trump said. 

The new government, led by Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, has been receptive to selling crude oil to the United States, where it will be refined, Trump said Friday. The arrangement would benefit both countries, he said.