FreightCasts

Freight rates continue to feel pressure from fuel and capacity shortfalls while the economy continues to sustain despite ongoing inflation concerns.  ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today kicks off the fourth quarter with a packed episode covering autonomous trucking, freight market conditions, driver appreciation and the latest issues shaping transportation. Malcolm Harris and Zach Strickland break down the morning's biggest freight headlines, including new commercial trucking and cross-border enforcement legislation, a bizarre autonomous-trailer theft involving Plus AI, and growing challenges around cross-border freight between the U.S. and Mexico. Then, Kodiak's Daniel Goff and PrePass CTO Chas Worcester join the show to discuss Kodiak's partnership with IKEA as a driverless launch shipper and its work with PrePass to connect autonomous trucks with roadside inspection systems. They explain how autonomous vehicles are being tested for safety, how enhanced inspections work and what the path toward nationwide deployment could look like. Zach Strickland delivers a SONAR market update, examining tender rejection rates, truckload capacity, spot rates, early-October freight demand and the continued growth of domestic intermodal. The episode also features a conversation with Samsara's Kelly Soderlund about the company's first Driver Appreciation Month and its new Driver Perks program, including discounts and benefits designed for professional drivers. Later, Zach and Thomas Watson dig deeper into the fourth-quarter freight outlook, economic indicators and the impact of elevated diesel prices on carriers and transportation costs. Plus, get the latest details on the upcoming F3: Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, taking place October 27–28. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trucking bought the AI,  Now SHOW ME THE DAMN MONEY! AI is recruiting drivers. Reading contracts. Building RFQs. Automating workflows. Booking freight. And every trucking-tech company suddenly has “AI” somewhere in the pitch. Cool....RIGHT? DOES ANY OF IT ACTUALLY MAKE THE CARRIER MONEY? On this episode of Brake Check, Charles skips the keynote buzzwords and puts trucking's AI boom to the test. First, Christy Choice from Tenstreet takes us inside the recruiting machine. Where should AI replace busywork? Where should a HUMAN still pick up the phone? Is lower driver turnover actually better retention, or are drivers simply staying put because the freight market has them trapped? And what are carriers already paying for that they barely use? Then FreightWaves truck-tech analyst Thomas Wasson joins us fresh off Trimble Insight 2026 in San Diego. We're digging into AI agents, TMS automation, recruiting technology, driver tools and what real carriers like Alvis and Spartan are actually doing with this technology after the demo ends. Forget “efficiency.” HOW MUCH MONEY DID IT SAVE? Forget “automation.” WHAT WORK DISAPPEARED? Forget “AI-powered.” PROVE IT.... Because with diesel around $6.38 a gallon and margins already getting squeezed, carriers don't need another expensive screensaver with a monthly subscription. They need technology that EARNS ITS DAMN KEEP. SOUND OFF: What's one job inside a trucking company you would happily hand to AI TOMORROW...and what's one job you would NEVER let it touch? #Trucking #AI #FreightTech #TruckDrivers #TruckingIndustry #Tenstreet #TMS #Automation #Logistics #FleetManagement #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every week somebody watches a YouTube video about box trucking and decides it's their way out. Non-CDL. Low barrier to entry. Amazon Relay. Home every night. Six figures. The content makes it look straightforward. And for a period of time it was, which is exactly why so many people got in, got humbled, and got out. Jessica Miller and her husband became owner-operators in 2020. She was an interior designer before that, nothing to do with trucking. They started renting trucks, bought their own, lost them to maintenance, went back to renting, and figured out through trial and error what actually makes a box truck operation work. They've cleared over a million dollars in four years running one to two trucks locally in Richmond, Virginia, almost entirely through Amazon Relay. But this episode isn't really about Amazon Relay. It's about the discipline that most carriers never develop, whether they're running a box truck or a Class A. Knowing your cost per mile. Knowing when to add a truck and when not to. Understanding that revenue is not profit. Staying in a lane that actually makes money instead of chasing a lane that looks good on camera. The box trucking boom brought a lot of people into this industry who had no business being here. Jessica has a front-row seat to what that did to Amazon's requirements, to local freight rates, and to the reputation of an entire segment of the market. That's the conversation worth having. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off in Washington, where a Texas congressman has introduced sweeping legislation aimed at overhauling trucking safety and cross-border enforcement. Named after eight-year-old Barron Ritchey, who was tragically killed when a wheel assembly struck his family's vehicle, the bill would require mandatory English-proficiency tests for all commercial drivers and impose fines of up to $100,000 per vehicle per day on foreign carriers caught illegally hauling domestic freight. The legislation also targets chameleon carriers and would establish a pilot program using GPS and geofencing technology to identify foreign-domiciled carriers suspected of cabotage violations. Next, we explore a bizarre cargo crime story out of California that took a remarkably unexpected turn. When thieves stole two PlusAI trailers bearing NVIDIA branding from the company's Fremont warehouse, they expected high-value autonomous trucking technology but instead found 40,000 pounds of sand used for simulated loads during manual testing. In a stroke of luck, both trailers were discovered just hours later outside a Newark office, abandoned with all the sand still intact after the disappointed thieves opened the back doors and found nothing worth stealing. Finally, we examine how the massive nearshoring boom is running into serious operational headwinds at the U.S.-Mexico border. Industry executives warn that a shrinking pool of cross-border drivers, tougher customs enforcement, and increasingly sophisticated cargo theft are making cross-border freight movements more difficult and expensive. Cargo theft in Mexico's key Bajío manufacturing region has surged eleven percent year-over-year, with criminal organizations now deploying GPS jammers, inside information, and violent tactics that render basic tracking systems inadequate for freight security. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the third quarter comes to a close, FreightWaves Today looks at the forces shaping freight heading into Q4 — from cargo theft and diesel prices to record-setting intermodal volumes and the evolution of electric trucking. The show opens with a look at a coordinated national cargo-theft enforcement operation that recovered roughly $635,000 in stolen freight, followed by an update on falling diesel prices and new cold-storage warehouse safety requirements in California. Then, Sarit Tamir, founder and CEO of a computer-vision company, explains how warehouses can use cameras they already have to identify hidden sources of lost capacity, including idle dock doors, congestion, blocked aisles and forklift bottlenecks. The episode also features a SONAR intermodal update, with domestic rail container volumes reaching a new annual high and shippers continuing to shift freight from truckload to rail in search of significant cost savings. The discussion examines whether railroads, terminals and drayage providers can keep pace as intermodal volumes continue to grow. Trains Magazine editor Bill Stephens joins the show to break down the latest rail traffic data, including growth in intermodal, chemicals and metals, while discussing drayage capacity, rail service and the bankruptcy of Brightline. Finally, FreightWaves' Adam Wingfield shares his firsthand experience driving a loaded Tesla Semi. A longtime skeptic, Adam discusses the truck's acceleration, regenerative braking, camera-based visibility, maintenance advantages and the remaining questions around range and long-haul applications. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm and Mike review recent news, including a breakdown of approximately 1,850 industry layoffs across several states, notable drug and weapon seizures involving semi-trucks on I-69 in Michigan and I-40 in Arkansas, and upcoming events like the Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga. Then they're joined by Matthew Muester, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, He talks about the volatile diesel market heading into Q4. He breaks down how geopolitical conflicts, crude oil prices (~$90/barrel), and skyrocketing refining margins ($108/barrel crack spread) have pushed total diesel costs to around $200 per barrel. He also shares insights on Canadian crude imports, the long-term outlook for the Keystone XL project, and expectations for diesel pricing into 2027. Finally they have Jefferson Barr, Chief Marketing Officer at Netstock, who discusses insights from Netstock's latest supply chain report. He explains how small-to-midsize businesses (SMBs) are navigating a complex landscape of simultaneous disruptions—such as shifting lead times, freight costs, and raw material access—and emphasizes how leveraging data analytics helps "star" performers outperform "stragglers" in inventory management. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a landmark law enforcement operation that dealt a major blow to cargo theft networks nationwide. The ⁠coordinated National Supply Chain Blitz resulted in multiple arrests and approximately $635,000 in recovered stolen freight⁠, including thirty stolen transformers worth roughly $600,000 that were located at a Massachusetts facility using fraudulent documentation. Next, we explore how California is tightening regulatory oversight of cold-storage facilities following a devastating industrial fire. Governor Gavin Newsom ⁠signed new legislation requiring emergency financial resources and authorizing significantly higher penalties for safety violations⁠ at large cold-storage warehouses after the massive eight-day Lineage fire in Los Angeles triggered a state emergency declaration and widespread public health concerns. Finally, we cover some welcome news for truckers as ⁠retail diesel prices dropped nearly fifteen cents per gallon⁠ from their recent all-time highs. The decline ends a three-week streak of record-breaking weekly prices and is being driven by increasing crude oil flows out of the Persian Gulf approaching pre-war levels. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today looks ahead to the fourth quarter and holiday peak season with an in-depth discussion of freight market conditions, capacity, operating costs and the broader economy. Covenant Logistics Group Founder and CEO David Parker joins the show live in Chattanooga to discuss the company's strategy of moving away from commoditized truckload freight and deeper into specialized, service-intensive operations, including poultry transportation, expedited freight and logistics supporting AI data-center construction. Parker shares his outlook for peak season, contract rates, capacity, driver pay, diesel costs and the potential impact of autonomous trucking and electric trucks. The episode also examines major industry headlines, including Daimler Truck North America's opposition to proposed NOx noncompliance penalties, Trimble's strategic review of its transportation and logistics business, and uncertainty surrounding U.S. port fees on China-linked and China-built vessels. The SONAR market update explores tender rejections, spot and contract rates, freight volumes and the tightening capacity environment. With tender rejections around 14%, the discussion examines why the market can remain healthy without reaching the extreme tightness seen during previous freight booms. Economist Jason Miller joins the show for a broader look at the freight economy, including diesel prices, regulatory enforcement, capacity exits, consumer spending, energy markets, interest rates, housing and the driver labor market. Miller also discusses how AI and data-center investment are supporting industrial freight while weaker consumer activity creates potential headwinds. The episode closes with a discussion of changing student-loan policies and their potential implications for consumer spending and freight, along with an update on FreightWaves Today's new one-hour-plus format. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is trucking finally at the bottom...or are we still digging? Diesel is around $6.53 a gallon. Rates remain under pressure. Capacity keeps leaving. Cash is getting tighter. And trucking has been hearing the same promise for what feels like forever: “THE RECOVERY IS COMING.” Cool....WHEN? On this episode of Brake Check, Charles follows the money with two guests looking at the trucking market from completely different angles.First, John Larkin, Senior Investment Partner at Venture 53, brings decades of transportation and Wall Street experience to the questions every carrier wants answered: Are we finally at the bottom? How many more trucks have to disappear before rates move? Is freight volume or excess capacity the bigger problem? Who breaks first at $6.53 diesel? And when does buying another truck become an investment instead of a really expensive gamble? Then we put $1 MILLION on the table. Trucking capacity, Freight technology, Brokerage, Warehousing, or cash. Where would John Larkin put HIS money today? Then Jacob Thomas from AtoB joins us to attack the problem from the cab instead of Wall Street. At $6.53 diesel, fuel discounts aren't pocket change anymore. We're breaking down fuel-card savings, where discounts actually come from, hidden costs, fuel fraud, cash flow, working capital and the mistakes that make expensive diesel even MORE expensive. Because surviving this freight market isn't just about waiting for rates to recover. It's about having enough damn money left WHEN THEY DO. SOUND OFF IN THE COMMENTS: If you had $250,000 in cash TODAY, what are you doing? BUY A TRUCK? PAY DOWN DEBT? INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY? OR SIT ON THE CASH? And the bigger question: IS TRUCKING FINALLY AT THE BOTTOM? #Trucking #Freight #Diesel #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #FreightMarket #TruckingIndustry #FreightTech #DieselPrices #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a fierce regulatory battle over proposed non-compliance penalties that could allow engine makers to simply pay fines rather than meet the drastically tighter nitrogen oxide standard taking effect in 2027. Daimler Truck North America is publicly resisting this controversial loophole, warning that PACCAR's suggestion of treating 6,000–7,000 per-engine penalties as an acceptable business strategy undermines Congressional intent and threatens the investments made by companies that developed compliant technology over the past decade. Next, we explore the freight technology sector where a potential blockbuster divestiture remains in limbo as Trimble keeps multiple interested parties on the hook for its transportation and logistics business. Speaking at the company's Insight 2026 conference, CEO Rob Painter offered no timetable or clarity on whether the strategic review with Goldman Sachs will result in a sale, spinoff, or no transaction at all, even as Trimble continues investing aggressively in new AI-powered tools like Arc Agent. Finally, we discuss a critical regulatory gap that has U.S. port-entry fees targeting China-linked vessels scheduled to resume in November despite last week's broader trade truce extension through January 2027. The discrepancy leaves liner operators and cargo interests in limbo, awaiting formal USTR action to align the maritime-fee suspension with the newly extended diplomatic accord, as no such notice had been issued as of September 28. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris break down the biggest stories shaping freight and logistics, from autonomous trucking and artificial intelligence to fraud, cargo theft and the evolving freight market. The show leads with Aurora Innovation's plan to scale to more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030, prompting a discussion about truck utilization, the future ownership of autonomous assets and how widespread autonomy could reshape freight brokerage. The hosts also examine a $105 million alleged trucking investment fraud scheme and proposed changes to Mexico's customs law that could affect cross-border freight through increased inspections and potential cargo seizures. In the featured interview, Gabriel Ribeiro of Hey Bubba AI discusses how carriers are actually adopting AI, where smaller fleets can begin, and why data security and human oversight remain critical. Ribeiro explains how AI can automate load discovery and negotiation, connect with TMS, telematics, email and phone systems, flag discrepancies in freight documents, provide driver support and create hands-free workflows designed to reduce distraction. The episode also features a SONAR market deep dive, examining rising diesel prices, elevated but relatively stable spot rates, tight capacity, tender rejections and the potential impact of automotive and housing demand heading into peak season. The hosts revisit freight fraud and cargo theft, discuss emerging last-mile delivery technology including drone delivery, and preview the upcoming F3: Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dig into a busy week in freight, from trucking investment fraud and cargo theft to the future of brokerage and autonomous trucking.The show opens with a look at a $105 million alleged semi-truck investment scheme that reportedly involved hundreds of investors and promises of guaranteed weekly returns. Malcolm and Michael break down the warning signs investors should have noticed and the broader lessons around fraud in trucking. The conversation then turns to the evolution of cargo theft, as cyber-enabled schemes increasingly allow criminals to obtain shipment information, impersonate legitimate carriers and steal high-value freight before a truck even arrives. Michael also weighs in on the changing role of brokers and the growing pressure for technology and data to deliver more value across the freight ecosystem. The hosts examine a major RICO lawsuit involving C.H. Robinson and carriers, discussing what the allegations could mean for the brokerage industry, potential discovery of internal communications and the broader question of how brokers create value in a changing transportation market. They also take a look at Aurora's ambitious autonomous-trucking plans, including its goal of operating more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030. Then, Bill Cooper, vice president of sales at Fleet Management Solutions, joins the show to discuss the business impact of truck downtime and why preventative maintenance is becoming a strategic advantage. Cooper explains how mobile maintenance can bring the garage directly to a fleet, helping companies perform inspections, preventative maintenance and repairs without taking vehicles out of service unnecessarily. The conversation explores how fleets can combine telematics, fuel data, maintenance information and real-world operating conditions to create more customized maintenance plans and improve uptime. Cooper also discusses the technician shortage, training, the growing complexity of fleet equipment and preparing maintenance teams for electric and autonomous vehicles. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining Aurora Innovation's aggressive expansion strategy as the autonomous truck developer charts a path toward massive commercial scale. Listen in to discover how ⁠Aurora plans to deploy more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030⁠, targeting over five billion dollars in revenue with a sixty percent gross margin. Most of this ambitious growth hinges on transitioning from Aurora owning the trucks to carriers taking ownership under a Driver as a Service model, where carriers pay eighty-five cents or more per mile for the driving technology. Next, we explore a shocking case that federal prosecutors are calling a massive Ponzi scheme in the trucking sector. We break down how ⁠a Nevada man allegedly defrauded hundreds of investors out of $105 million⁠ by selling truck leases with promises of guaranteed passive income. Investigators claim approximately seventy-five million dollars from newer participants went toward earlier payouts, while more than twenty-five million dollars funded luxury purchases including real estate, sports cars and jewelry. Finally, we head south to examine ⁠a proposed Mexican customs law overhaul that could trigger major border delays and cargo seizures⁠ for cross-border freight operations. The legislation would grant Mexican customs authorities greater power to initiate verification procedures and would eliminate an existing fifty percent undervaluation threshold associated with precautionary seizure, potentially impacting thousands of customs operations valued at nearly ninety million dollars. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we walk through Quick Rates, SONAR's Chrome extension that gives your team access to real-time rates and market conditions directly from your browser Already have a SONAR login? Click the link below to download the Chrome Extension to your browser! ⁠https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/sonar-quick-rates/dhibohccgihfbghgkcnlnmgddnphafdm⁠

Join host Malcolm Harris and Zach Strickland for today's episode of FreightWaves Today as they dive into the current freight market dynamics, artificial intelligence, and crucial risk management strategies. In Block A, Malcolm sits down with Will Bewley, Co-Founder & CEO of WoFlow, to cut through the noise and negative press surrounding artificial intelligence. Will breaks down how WoFlow approaches AI transformation in practical terms, how businesses can leverage AI to navigate today's constrained capacity environment without just adding another tool, and the critical importance of data quality. He also addresses common fears about AI replacing logistics jobs and shares where he sees the technology heading next. In Block C, Andy Kuchar, President of Centerline Insurance Company and Chief Risk Officer for Watkins Associated Industries, returns to the show to discuss trailer insurance gaps. Andy highlights three key warning signs that a company might have an uninsured exposure, unpacks common misconceptions surrounding trailer coverage, and explains why brokers, agents, and leasing companies need to pay close attention. Drawing on over 25 years of risk management experience, Andy also touches on nuclear verdicts, rising litigation costs, and offers actionable advice for transportation companies reviewing their overall insurance programs. Plus, stay tuned for the latest market intelligence during our SONAR Update, along with key industry developments in the Morning Minute. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight visibility used to answer one big question: Where is my load? Now the question is becoming: Can I trust what I'm seeing? On this episode of What The Truck?!?, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are joined by Andrew Wimer, Associate General Manager at Descartes, to break down the next phase of freight visibility and how multiple tracking signals can give brokers, carriers and shippers a clearer picture of what's actually happening with a load. Wimer explains Descartes MacroPoint ELD Plus, which combines ELD and mobile app tracking into a single session. Instead of relying on one source, the platform can track the truck, trailer and driver simultaneously. If those signals stop telling the same story, transportation teams have another data point to help identify tracking gaps, incorrect information or potentially suspicious activity. They also discuss why drivers still play an important role in freight visibility, how better tracking can accelerate proof of delivery and time to cash, and why accurate driver, truck and trailer information remains critical.Plus, Malcolm and Michael break down some of the biggest stories in trucking, including: Florida troopers recovering stolen tractor-trailers carrying tires and lithium-ion batteries Thieves cutting into a trailer to steal Black Angus beef in Philadelphia 16 trucking and transportation companies entering bankruptcy proceedings A cargo theft survey showing major losses for loss prevention professionals What proposed diesel export restrictions could mean for fuel markets Can two independent tracking signals make freight visibility more reliable and help transportation companies catch problems before it's too late? Watch the full episode to hear Andrew Wimer explain where freight tracking is headed next. Subscribe to FreightWaves and What The Truck?!? for more conversations on trucking, freight technology, cargo theft, logistics and the people moving the industry forward. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into a deeply troubling federal lawsuit filed by dozens of Mexican truck drivers who allege they were recruited with false promises and subjected to coercive labor practices. Twenty-nine plaintiffs are now suing California-based Omega Compliance Solutions and several U.S. carriers, claiming⁠ they were lured across the border with fraudulent visa promises and trapped through forced-labor tactics⁠ including passport confiscation, unlawful deductions, and deportation threats when they tried to leave. Next, we explore how the logistics giant is setting new benchmarks in last-mile delivery with a massive technology and compensation rollout. Amazon is installing⁠ 360-degree Netradyne cameras on half its Rivian electric vans and injecting $1.9 billion to boost driver pay⁠ by an average of 16 percent nationwide, forcing competitors across the parcel sector to keep pace with both its advanced AI-backed safety systems and rising wage floor. Finally, we cover a strategic acquisition expanding cold chain visibility for some of the most temperature-sensitive freight in healthcare and life sciences. Temperature-control systems provider Copeland has⁠ acquired Dickson to integrate cloud-based monitoring technology⁠ that alerts pharmaceutical and food shippers of potential losses before they occur, combining Dickson's compliance platform with Copeland's 200 million HVAC and refrigeration installations across 40 countries. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today goes live from Green Bay, Wisconsin, as hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp sit down with some of the biggest names in transportation and technology to discuss the state of freight, innovation and automation. Jim Filter, President and CEO of Schneider, breaks down today's freight market, including tightening capacity, driver recruiting, intermodal opportunities, cargo theft and the changing liability landscape. He also discusses the potential impact of the proposed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern combination and makes the case for Green Bay as one of America's premier freight cities. Craig Dickman, Managing Partner at TitletownTech, explores Green Bay's freight and startup ecosystem, how transportation develops strong problem solvers and where AI, optimization and emerging technologies could take supply chains next. Brian Figueroa, Managing Director, Transportation at KBX, joins the conversation to discuss the state of freight and Green Bay's deep connection to transportation and logistics. Finally, Kendra Phillips, VP of Global Transportation Management at Ryder System, Inc., discusses how AI and automation are transforming transportation management and helping companies identify inefficiencies, improve decision making and build smarter freight networks. What does the freight market look like from inside one of America's biggest transportation hubs, and where is the industry headed next? Watch the full episode for insights from the leaders moving freight, investing in its future and building the technology that will shape what comes next. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Logistics #SupplyChain #GreenBay #FreightTech ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diesel just crossed $6.29 per gallon nationally. For the first time in history.That's not a headline to scroll past. That's a number that should stop every owner-operator and small carrier in this industry dead in their tracks and force them to look at their actual cost structure right now — today — before they take another load. Because most of them haven't. This episode is a solo. No guest. Just me, the data, and the math that too many carriers are avoiding because they don't want to know what it says.We're going to talk about where diesel is, how we got here, where it might go, and — most importantly — how to calculate what this fuel environment is actually costing you per mile, per load, and per month. Because the difference between a carrier who survives this and one who doesn't isn't which loads they take. It's whether they know their real numbers. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diesel is above $6 a gallon. But what if the pump isn't the only place your trucking company is getting crushed? One carrier analyzed by Magnus Technologies was reportedly more than $53,000 behind through August because of the timing of its monthly fuel-surcharge resets.Read that again. $53,000. GONE. BECAUSE OF THE MATH. On this episode of Brake Check, Charles  goes after both sides of the squeeze hitting carriers right now: keeping good drivers when margins are disappearing and making damn sure your fuel surcharge is actually recovering what diesel is costing you. First, Brad Hackett, Director of Recruiting & Safety at Jett Express, breaks down the “Big Four” behind driver retention: pay, equipment, home time and respect. When fuel destroys your margin, which one do you protect? What actually keeps a driver from leaving for a few cents more? And can running a genuinely safe operation become a recruiting advantage Because seeing FUEL SURCHARGE on the rate confirmation doesn't automatically mean you're getting your money back.And at $6-plus diesel, guessing whether you're profitable isn't good enough. Six-dollar diesel hurts when you buy it. Bad math makes it hurt AGAIN when you don't get it back. CHECK THE DAMN MATH. SOUND OFF: How often does your fuel surcharge reset .... weekly, monthly or quarterly? And have you actually checked whether it's covering your real fuel increase? #Trucking #Diesel #FuelSurcharge #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #TruckingIndustry #DieselPrices #Freight #FleetManagement #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major technology partnership pushing heavy-duty autonomous trucking toward highway operations. Swedish company Einride announced it will build its next-generation autonomous driving system on⁠ Nvidia's Hyperion platform, a compute and sensor architecture designed for Level 4 autonomy⁠. The two companies will collaborate to extend Hyperion's compute, sensor, and safety architecture to the demands of heavy-duty freight, with Einride expecting its fleet footprint to reach 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles by 2028. Shifting gears to the rails, we examine a major merger review that hit a significant snag despite officially moving forward. The Surface Transportation Board declined to dismiss the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern application, but a pointed concurring opinion from board member Richard Kloster revealed⁠ the merger application is shallow and lacks detail on how competition concerns will be addressed⁠. Kloster's skepticism is particularly notable because Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena appeared with President Trump in the Oval Office in September, and Trump subsequently called the merger a good idea. Finally, we explore how fleet technology giant Samsara is going after a massive opportunity hiding in plain sight. The company launched its Fuel Command Center, a new dashboard that⁠ consolidates total and recoverable fuel spend while targeting $2 billion in potential savings⁠ across its U.S. customers in the first six months of 2026 alone. The platform pulls transactions from any fleet's existing fuel card, integrates Coast's spend controls directly, and combats fraud by tying card authorization to vehicle location. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp sit down with leaders from trucking, logistics, transportation law and rail to examine the forces shaping freight markets. John Ferguson, founder and CEO of Pivot Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., joins the show in studio to discuss the state of freight, current supply chain conditions and the trends transportation companies should be watching. Drew Singleton Wilder, founder and CEO of Vicarious Liability Risk Management, and Greg Reed, partner at Hanson Bridgett, tackle transportation risk and liability, including legal exposure across transportation relationships and what businesses should understand about managing risk. Trains Magazine Editor Bill Stephens provides perspective on developments across North American freight rail and what changes in the sector could mean for shippers and the broader supply chain. Pam Polyak, founder of Polyak Trucking and Polyak Consulting, brings an operator's perspective to the conversation, discussing the realities facing carriers and owner-operators as they navigate changing freight demand, costs and operating conditions. Subscribe to FreightWaves for more transportation and logistics news, analysis and interviews. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Logistics #SupplyChain #Freight #Transportation #Rail #FreightRail #TruckingIndustry #RiskManagement ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the FreightWaves Enterprise Fleet Summit, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down the strategies, technologies, and operational shifts required to scale trucking operations during volatile market cycles. In this episode: Chris Hines, CEO of REPOWR, discusses TOP (Trailer Optimization Platform)—the industry's first system designed to execute trailer repositioning rather than just analyzing data. He breaks down how fleets can eliminate idle trailer time, optimize asset allocation, and turn static trailers into revenue-generating assets. Hayden Cardiff, VP of Safety Solutions at Descartes, explores the gap between regulatory compliance and real-world safety. He shares insights on predicting driver risk before accidents occur, building proactive driver coaching programs, and leveraging AI to identify leading safety indicators. Event Highlights & Giveaways: Details on upcoming FreightWaves events, including the Brokerage Compliance Symposium and F3: Future of Freight Festival, plus a special showcase of the Away Travel convertible backpack giveaway. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a sobering wave of financial distress as⁠ at least sixteen trucking and transportation companies entered bankruptcy proceedings in less than a month⁠. The geographically widespread filings include both Chapter 11 reorganizations and Chapter 7 liquidations, spanning carriers from small owner-operators to mid-sized fleets operating dozens of trucks across general freight, last-mile, agricultural and specialized operations. Rising diesel fuel prices and elevated operating costs continue to squeeze margins in an already challenging freight environment. Over on the rails, Alabama is pushing forward with a massive infrastructure project as⁠ construction remains on schedule for the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility's early 2027 opening⁠. The $100 million, 272-acre terminal will provide direct CSX rail service connecting inland shippers to the Port of Mobile, creating a rail alternative to truck drayage. At full operation, the facility is expected to handle up to 60,000 container units annually and will be equipped with two rubber-tired gantry cranes scheduled for delivery in late 2026. Finally, we unpack a major legal battle over federal trucking rules where⁠ judicial questioning showed more skepticism toward the Department of Transportation's position than toward plaintiffs challenging recent FMCSA changes⁠. During oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Lujan v. FMCSA, judges questioned the DOT's rationale for narrowing acceptable documentation to only an unexpired passport and Form I-94, particularly when non-domiciled applicants can provide ten years of driving history. The new rule, which went into effect this spring, no longer accepts Employment Authorization Documents as proof of eligibility for commercial driver's licenses. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market is shifting as carriers, brokers and shippers head toward Q4. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, we break down the latest trucking industry news, freight rates, insurance risks, fuel prices, capacity trends and the outlook for the 2026 peak season. In this episode: Trucking litigation & legal developments — We examine the latest developments in the Super Ego case and discuss the growing legal exposure facing carriers, brokers and other participants in the freight ecosystem. Cargo theft — Florida authorities recover stolen tractor-trailers in a coordinated cargo theft investigation, highlighting the continued threat of freight and equipment theft. Driver safety & crash risk — New Samsara data shows how combinations of risky driving behaviors can dramatically increase crash risk and why fleets are increasingly focused on identifying patterns rather than isolated safety events. Transportation insurance — Andy Sharpe, founder and CEO of MeshVI, joins the show to discuss real-time insurance verification, missing asset risk, certificate of insurance accuracy, insurance fraud and the growing importance of vehicle- and driver-level coverage data. Freight market update — We look at tender rejections, spot rates, intermodal volumes, freight demand and regional market conditions as the industry approaches peak season. Houston freight market — Houston has rapidly shifted from one of the loosest markets to one of the tightest, providing an important look at changing capacity conditions. Diesel & energy prices — Diesel prices continue to climb, putting additional pressure on trucking costs and potentially influencing both freight rates and consumer demand. Q4 freight outlook — We discuss whether peak season will be muted, how capacity exits are affecting the market, and what current conditions could mean for freight rates heading into 2027. Contract rates & routing guides — We examine changing shipper routing-guide strategies, the narrowing gap between spot and contract rates, and why double-digit contract rate increases could be on the table for 2027. Fuel markets with John Kingston — John Kingston joins us to discuss oil, diesel, geopolitical developments and the energy factors affecting trucking and transportation. Key topics: trucking news, freight market update, freight rates, truckload market, spot rates, contract rates, diesel prices, trucking insurance, cargo theft, carrier capacity, routing guides, peak season, transportation logistics, freight demand, supply chain, trucking industry and 2027 freight outlook. Subscribe to FreightWaves for daily coverage of the trucking, freight, logistics and supply chain industries. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Freight #Logistics #SupplyChain #Truckload #FreightRates #Diesel #TruckingNews #Transportation #TruckingIndustry ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

$7 DIESEL? FMCSA CRACKDOWN. WHAT'S NEXT? This may be one of the biggest Brake Check conversations we've put together. Two problems are hitting American trucking at the same damn time: The cost of running is exploding... The rules for running are getting tighter.... And instead of asking somebody on social media what they THINK about it, we're going straight to the people who actually know. FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs joins Charles Gracey to talk about what's happening inside the agency right now ... the recent Safety Innovation Expo, CDL integrity, training providers, English proficiency enforcement, ELDs, fraud, bad actors, hours of service, truck parking and the technology FMCSA believes could actually make trucking safer. The question we're putting directly to the Administrator: WHEN DOES THE PROFESSIONAL TRUCKER ACTUALLY FEEL THE DIFFERENCE Then energy analyst Phil Flynn of The PRICE Futures Group joins us as diesel pushes deeper into historic territory. Why can crude get cheaper while diesel gets MORE expensive? What does the exploding diesel crack spread actually mean? Why is America exporting diesel while American truckers are getting crushed at the pump? Would stopping exports actually lower prices — or create an even bigger mess later? Would more drilling fix it? Do we need more refining? Would a trucker shutdown actually move diesel prices? And the question nobody wants to ask: COULD DIESEL HIT $7? Then Phil gets the HARD STOP: One lever. More drilling. More refining. Restrict exports. Release reserves. Or let the market rebalance. WHICH ONE ACTUALLY HELPS THE AMERICAN TRUCKER? No slogans No social-media economics SHOW US THE MATH & RESULTS One guest runs the agency writing and enforcing trucking's rules. One guest has spent decades reading the energy market. And the American trucker? YOU'RE PAYING FOR BOTH....SO WE GET YOU THE ANSWERS YOU WANT! SOUND OFF: What's hurting your operation more right now ... FUEL, RATES, or REGULATION? #Trucking #Diesel #FMCSA #TruckDrivers #OwnerOperator #DieselPrices #TruckingIndustry #FuelPrices #Freight #BrakeCheck ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major legal development in the controversial Super Ego trucking network case. A federal judge has ⁠dismissed several counts against Aleksandar Mimic in a lawsuit filed by drivers⁠, though drivers' claims against Super Ego Holding and nine affiliated defendants remain fully intact. Court records reveal that an all-day settlement conference made significant progress toward resolving the case, even as the judge's dismissal reshapes the litigation. Next, we explore a coordinated cargo theft operation as Florida's task force ⁠recovered two stolen tractor-trailers hauling tires and batteries⁠ along Interstate 95. Troopers arrested one driver at a travel center on charges including first-degree grand theft of automobile tires worth over one hundred thousand dollars, though a second suspect fled on foot and remains at large. Finally, we unpack groundbreaking research from Samsara showing that ⁠just ten percent of the highest-risk drivers account for nearly half of all fleet crashes⁠. The company's Compounding Risk Report reveals that combinations of risky behaviors—like mobile phone use, distraction, and harsh braking together—create exponentially greater crash risk than isolated safety events, allowing fleet managers to focus coaching resources on the behavioral patterns most strongly linked to accidents. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market is shifting, cargo theft is getting more sophisticated, diesel prices are under pressure, and artificial intelligence is raising new questions for freight brokers and carriers. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, we break down the biggest stories shaping trucking, logistics, supply chains and transportation. We're also heading to Green Bay this week, and Ben Schill, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Paper Transport, joins the show to discuss the company's long-running logistics partnership with the Green Bay Packers, including how Paper Transport moves the team's equipment for away games. He also discusses trucking market conditions, dedicated freight, acquisitions, fleet growth and the company's strategy for building density in Wisconsin. In this episode: • Cargo theft and freight fraud: Two men allegedly posed as FedEx drivers to steal more than $680,000 in electronics from a Delaware warehouse. We also discuss an unusual Memphis case involving a $110,000 chicken shipment allegedly being used to settle a drug debt. • AI and freight brokerage liability: What does the future of AI-driven carrier selection look like following the Supreme Court's decision involving broker liability? We examine whether human brokers could become more important as artificial intelligence takes on more decision-making. • Paper Transport & Green Bay Packers logistics: Ben Schill explains how Paper Transport handles the Packers' equipment, including game-day gear, backup equipment and logistics surrounding away games. • Trucking market conditions: Paper Transport discusses the current dedicated freight environment, inflation, rates, fuel costs and why the trucking market feels more stable than it did previously. • Site selection and supply chain investment: Companies are reconsidering where to build factories, distribution centers and data centers as they navigate energy availability, labor constraints, infrastructure, tariffs and geopolitical risk. • Autonomous yard trucks: We explore the growing adoption of autonomous yard automation, including autonomous yard trucks, remote supervision, yard-management technology and what it could mean for trucking operations.• Truckload market & tender rejections: The FreightWaves SONAR update examines truckload rejection rates, freight volumes, capacity and the potential impact of peak season on trucking rates. • Diesel prices and the global energy crisis: We examine how disruptions in Russia and the Middle East are affecting crude oil, refining capacity, diesel fuel and transportation costs — and what higher energy prices could mean for trucking and supply chains. Whether you're a truck driver, owner-operator, carrier, freight broker, shipper, logistics professional, investor or supply chain executive, FreightWaves Today delivers the news, data and analysis you need to understand the freight market. Subscribe to FreightWaves for daily coverage of trucking, freight, logistics, supply chains, transportation technology and the global economy. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Freight #Logistics #SupplyChain #Transportation #Truckload #CargoTheft #FreightFraud #ArtificialIntelligence #AutonomousTrucks #Diesel #TruckingNews #FreightMarket ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining the latest developments in broker liability law and how they're unexpectedly reshaping the role of technology in freight brokerage. Industry experts now argue that ⁠the Supreme Court's Montgomery decision will actually make human brokers more valuable⁠ rather than less, as firms face tough questions about whether AI-driven carrier selection will hold up under courtroom scrutiny following fatal crashes. This shift could force brokerages to invest heavily in human oversight and robust compliance systems instead of relying purely on automated platforms. Next, we explore a brazen cargo security breach that highlights the vulnerability of standard warehouse pickup procedures. Delaware State Police arrested a California man after ⁠two suspects posing as FedEx drivers stole a $680,000 electronics load⁠ from a New Castle, Delaware, facility using fake driver's licenses and forged shipping documents. Troopers recovered the entire shipment intact at a nearby parking area, underscoring how fraudsters can exploit routine documentation checks to make off with high-value freight. Finally, we head south to Central Texas, where ⁠Tesla is planning a massive 538,000-square-foot distribution center⁠ in Mustang Ridge with an estimated construction cost of $1.44 million. The sprawling facility will add critical distribution capacity near Tesla's Gigafactory Texas manufacturing complex and the extensive cross-border supplier network in Mexico, supporting the automaker's rapidly expanding production operations. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The transcontinental mega-railroad debate takes center stage as Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern push for a historic merger. In this episode of Freight Expectations, hosts Matt Leffler and Craig Fuller break down the major regulatory, economic, and legal shifts rocking the freight industry. They dive into the heated opposition from BNSF, the resurfacing fight over 371.3 broker transparency in federal courts, rising diesel prices, and how upcoming midterms could impact critical freight legislation like the CORCA Act and Delilah's Law. ⁠Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Craig Fuller and Julie discuss how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are changing consumer behavior — and why those changes could have a measurable impact on freight volumes. The conversation explores declining food and beverage consumption, shifting demand for snacks, soda, alcohol and restaurant meals, and what those trends could mean for trucking and the broader freight economy. The show also covers the latest FreightTech 100, FreightWaves' annual list recognizing innovative companies across freight and supply chain technology. This year's list reflects the growing influence of artificial intelligence, automation and autonomous trucking. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when predictive AI, cross-border trucking disruptions, cargo theft and hidden supply-chain taxes collide? We're breaking it all down on this Friday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent cover the biggest stories impacting trucking, freight and logistics, including a sudden disruption at the U.S.-Mexico border, a bizarre cargo theft case in Nebraska, and the technology changing fleet safety. On this episode: Empiric Earth brings Nexar and Netradyne technology togetherZach Greenberger and Dr. Stefan Heck join the show to discuss the new company and how massive amounts of real-world driving data can help fleets measure, predict and prevent collisions. The conversation explores predictive safety, near-miss data, driver behavior, AI models, road hazards and how fleet managers can identify dangerous routes and driving patterns. Mexico lifts empty-truck restriction at Eagle PassA five-day disruption at the U.S.-Mexico border reportedly stranded hundreds of tractors after Mexican customs authorities restricted empty commercial trucks from crossing southbound at Eagle Pass. Malcolm and Mike examine what the disruption meant for cross-border trucking, capacity and freight flows. $250,000 in stolen speakers found inside a semiNebraska troopers discovered high-end commercial speakers and other merchandise inside a truck allegedly moving with fraudulent paperwork. The case raises plenty of questions about cargo theft, freight fraud and stolen loads. What is a “tax pyramid”?Gregg Berry of Numeral explains the lesser-known sales and use tax exposure that can accumulate at different stages of the supply chain. We break down how taxes can become embedded in the price of goods, why exemptions matter and how technology and AI can help companies identify potential tax liabilities. Plus: trucking banter, freight tech, supply chain insights, a look ahead to FreightTech 100, and plenty of the usual WHAT THE TRUCK?!? chaos. Subscribe to WHAT THE TRUCK?!? for daily trucking, freight, logistics, supply chain and transportation news. #WhatTheTruck #Trucking #Freight #Logistics #SupplyChain #Truckers #FreightTech #CargoTheft #FleetSafety #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #AutonomousDriving #CrossBorderTrucking #Mexico #EaglePass #Transportation #TruckDriver #FreightWaves ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Brake Check on FreightWaves TV, host Charles Gracey is joined by Lewie Pugh (Executive Vice President of OOIDA) & Dan Lindsey of the Broker Carrier Summit, to tackle the growing issue of "Chameleon Carriers" in the trucking industry. They dive deep into how bad actors exploit systemic loopholes—changing DOT numbers and carrier identities for a nominal fee to dodge regulatory oversight, enforcement, and safety accountability—and what this means for highway safety, honest truck drivers, and industry standards. Key topics discussed include: The anatomy of a Chameleon Carrier empire and how easy it is to exploit current regulations. The critical need for stricter carrier accountability, real training standards, and audited CDL schools. Legislative efforts, including the SAFE Act and new FMCSA registration updates. Why drivers often end up taking the fall for predatory carrier practices and poor oversight. ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining Tesla's ambitious push into the European freight market as the electric vehicle giant ⁠targets late-2027 customer deliveries for the Semi⁠ after demonstrations begin in the first half of that year. The first European trucks will roll off the Reno, Nevada production line, which is designed for fifty thousand units annually, and will feature a 342-mile usable range with the ability to recover more than sixty percent of range in just thirty minutes using Tesla's new Megacharger network of over one hundred stalls across Europe. Shifting gears to the rails, we examine how Norfolk Southern is positioning its proposed combination with Union Pacific as a transformative step for intermodal freight. According to the railroad's leadership, ⁠the proposed mega-merger is central to removing structural friction from the freight network⁠ by creating single-line service for roughly ten thousand existing lanes and eliminating approximately 2,400 railcar handlings and 60,000 car-miles per day. With Norfolk Southern's intermodal volume already up nearly fourteen percent year-over-year, the railroad argues that removing friction rather than simply undercutting truck prices is the key to capturing highway freight. Finally, we cover a critical new resource for freight brokers navigating heightened liability in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling. Cambridge Mobile Telematics has ⁠officially launched Freight Safety Intelligence, a platform that analyzes carrier driving behavior⁠ from the previous ninety days and generates real-time carrier-level safety scores. The platform leverages data from carriers' existing telematics systems without requiring new hardware, and it arrives at a crucial moment as brokers face increased exposure to negligent-selection claims following the Supreme Court's ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discussion on what the Fed hike means economically and to freight and also what to make of the still hot import market.  ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today dives into the latest forces reshaping freight markets, from rising carrier costs and cross-border trade tensions to stronger-than-expected import volumes and signs of tightening truckload capacity. Hosts Julie Van de Kamp and Zach Strickland break down J.B. Hunt's warning that higher diesel and driver costs are outpacing pricing gains, as well as the growing challenges around recruiting, retaining and developing qualified drivers. They also examine rising rail dwell at the Los Angeles–Long Beach port complex and what the divergence between rail and truck dwell times means for intermodal reliability. Peacock Tariff Consulting principal Kyle Peacock joins the show to discuss the breakdown in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, new Canadian tariffs and product bans, and the ongoing U.S.-Mexico talks over USMCA and automotive content requirements. The conversation explores how tariff uncertainty is reshaping freight lanes, supply chains and long-term planning for shippers and carriers. In the SONAR market update, Zach looks at rising tender rejection rates following Labor Day and a sharp post-holiday surge in truckload volumes. The data points to broad-based increases in rejection rates across major freight markets, while refrigerated freight continues its seasonal influence on the national market. The show also features Mark McEntire, the new CEO of Emerge, who discusses his shipper-focused vision for the company, the shift from episodic to continuous procurement, the growing role of AI and data in freight procurement, and Emerge's efforts to bring truckload, LTL, intermodal and other modes together on a single platform. Finally, FreightWaves writer Stuart Chirls joins the program to examine elevated U.S. container imports, including August's exceptionally strong volumes at major ports such as Long Beach and Charleston. The discussion looks at the forces driving import demand—from consumer goods to data-center construction—and whether elevated volumes will persist into the fall. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every load you've ever picked up from a warehouse got there somehow. Somebody moved it from a ship. Or from a rail yard. Or from a port depot. On a chassis. In a container. In a city like Chicago where the rail network is one of the most complex in the country and the congestion, the chassis shortages, and the steamship line politics can turn a straightforward pickup into an all-day event. That's drayage. And most truckers have never thought about it once. Sergio Manzo has been in it his entire career. Eight years as a driver moving containers through Chicago's rail yards. Now COO of Severo Trucking — the family business his family has been running for over three decades in one of the most demanding intermodal markets in the country. Today we're getting into a part of this industry that the load board crowd has never seen. And I think when you hear what drayage actually involves — the complexity, the discipline, the relationships you have to build — you're going to understand why the carriers who do it well are some of the most insulated operators in the business. Let's get into it. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

100% owner-operators. Turnover around 30%. In an industry where some fleets live with turnover north of 90%…HOW? That's what we came to Mercer Transportation in Louisville, Kentucky to find out. For Day 1 of Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Brake Check is LIVE from Mercer Town ... but we're not here for another corporate speech about how much drivers are “appreciated.” We want to know what appreciation looks like when it actually shows up in the numbers. Charles sits down with Chasity Hebner, Director of Recruiting, to talk recruiting, retention, why Mercer continues pushing to improve even with turnover around the 30% range, and what drivers actually need from the companies asking for their loyalty. Then Andrew “Dragon” Pendragon and Valerie Simms, Launch Success Managers at Mercer, take us behind the scenes of what happens AFTER recruiting makes the promise. Because signing an owner-operator is one thing. SETTING THEM UP TO ACTUALLY SUCCEED IS ANOTHER. What happens during those critical first days? Why does support matter? What does Mercer do differently? And can you really connect driver appreciation to retention? Forget the pizza. Forget the T-shirt. Forget the annual “thank you drivers” email. Maybe the best way to appreciate a trucker is to build an operation they actually WANT TO STAY WITH. Sponsored by Apex Capital, OOIDA and Hey Bubba. SOUND OFF IN THE COMMENTS: What is the ONE thing a carrier could do that would make YOU feel genuinely appreciated? And if you're an owner-operator.... what makes you stay, and what makes you walk? #BrakeCheck #Trucking #OwnerOperator #TruckDriverAppreciationWeek #TruckDrivers #DriverRetention #MercerTransportation #TruckingIndustry #FreightWaves #TDAW2026 ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today digs into the latest signals from across the freight and transportation markets — from weakening freight demand and rail volumes to record diesel prices, supply chain disruptions and the evolving role of technology in trucking and procurement. The team breaks down J.B. Hunt's latest commentary, softer consumer demand, tight capacity and what current tender rejection and truckload volume data are saying about the fall freight market. Energy advisor Tom Kloza examines the forces driving diesel and crude markets, the impact of disruptions in the Middle East and Russia, refining capacity, renewable diesel and what the next several months could mean for transportation costs. Daniel Silverfield, Head of Value and Selection for Amazon Business, explains how the B2B operation serves millions of business customers, simplifies procurement and uses AI and data to help companies consolidate purchases and find savings. Bill Stephens, Editor of Trains Magazine, joins the show to discuss the latest railroad data. North American rail traffic declined year over year, with weakness across several economically sensitive commodities, including chemicals, petroleum and autos. Michael Cainey from Highway joins the conversation on the challenges facing the brokerage and trucking markets, including fraud, carrier verification, tracking technology and how legitimate carriers can stand out in an increasingly complex freight environment. Plus, the latest SONAR data on diesel, spot rates, shipment volumes and tender rejections — and a look at what those numbers could mean as the freight market heads into peak season. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm and The Dude kick off another packed Wednesday show! From crazy cargo thefts to major supply chain insights, they dive into the biggest stories hitting the freight and logistics industry. Episode Breakdown: $500k+ Copper Theft: A look at a fictitious pickup in Illinois where thieves impersonated Schneider to steal half a million dollars worth of copper—and how GPS tracking helped crack the case. $1.5M Philadelphia Cargo Theft Ring: The hosts discuss a wild cargo theft ring involving stolen crab legs, TVs, and over $230,000 in brand-new dimes. $50M Drug Seizure in Nebraska: A routine commercial vehicle inspection along I-80 turns up nearly 20,000 pounds of marijuana and THC products hidden inside a semi-trailer. FMCSA Shuts Down 110+ CDL Schools: Breaking down the nationwide crackdown on fraudulent entry-level driver training providers across 20 states and online operations. Guest Feature — Special guest Alexander Style joins the show to discuss how unifying supply chain data creates a single source of truth, how tariffs and nearshoring affect cross-border freight, and how tech is solving information latency across global logistics networks. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today takes a deep look at where the freight market is headed, from tightening capacity and rising rates to regulation, industrial demand, global trade and the forces reshaping supply chains. Tom Albrecht of Reliance Partners joins the show to discuss the current freight cycle, drawing on decades of experience covering both trucking and rail. The conversation examines improving industrial demand, strong rail volumes, capacity constraints and the regulatory changes that could determine how long the current freight recovery lasts. Jason Miller weighs in on the demand side of the market, including the massive buildout of AI data centers and the possibility that traditional freight metrics are underestimating the amount of freight moving through the industrial economy. The discussion also looks at truck capacity, driver availability, equipment orders and the potential impact of interest rates on the freight cycle. Rush from Tabi breaks down how freight brokers are adapting to a more data-driven market. Tabi's Pricing Pressure Index, which measures the balance of pricing power between shippers and brokers, is showing a market that remains favorable to brokers but is beginning to normalize. The conversation explores spot pricing, margins, shipper behavior and why disciplined, data-driven brokers are outperforming those still chasing volume. Lakshman Achuthan, co-founder of the Economic Cycle Research Institute, brings a macroeconomic perspective, warning that global and U.S. industrial growth may be approaching a turning point. He explains how leading indicators are signaling slower growth ahead and discusses the risk of sticky costs, higher interest rates and a potential period of stagflation. The episode closes with a wide-ranging conversation about North American trade and supply chains, including the future of USMCA, sourcing strategies, U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade relationships, reindustrialization and national security. The discussion highlights how decades of integrated North American supply chains could be affected by changing trade policies and tariffs. Also featured: a look at the role of AI data centers, energy infrastructure and the challenge of balancing technological investment with regulatory and community concerns. Watch FreightWaves Today for the latest analysis on freight markets, trucking, logistics, rail, supply chains and the economy. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Logistics #Freight #SupplyChain #Truckload #Rail #FreightMarket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices