FreightCasts

In this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp dive into the latest industrial data, market updates, and expert interviews across the freight, logistics, energy, and rail sectors. In the morning minute we have the 3 top stories of the day including: Congress pushes to tie USPS executive bonuses directly to 95% on-time delivery metrics via the bipartisan "No Bonuses for Bad Service Act", Werner Enterprises CEO Derek Leathers addresses seasonal spot market trends, capacity tightening, and rate outlooks, and Michigan regulators suspend Northern Michigan University's CDL training program amid a nationwide fraud crackdown. Our first guest, Tom Kloza, Chief Energy Advisor at Gulf Oil, breaks down rising diesel prices, global refining capacity constraints, and how emerging drone warfare poses unprecedented risks to oil infrastructure. In the SONAR update, Julie gives a detailed look at current tender rejections sitting at 13.5%, rising import container volumes, domestic rail mode shifts, and carrier authority changes. Then Patrick Kelleher, CEO of GXO Logistics, stops by to discuss peak season expectations, rapid growth in AI data center construction, manufacturing re-shoring, and tests with humanoid robotics in the warehouse. Trains Magazine's Bill Stephens is back with the latest numbers from Association of American Railroads (AAR) weekly volume data, strong non-coal carload gains, and a federal court ruling upholding the FRA's two-person crew rule. And lastly, Jeff Dangelo, CEO of Fura, announces the acquisition of High Rise (their 7th deal) and explains how AI is streamlining operations and unlocking massive EBITDA improvements for small-to-midsize brokerages. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Cornell returns to Fraud Watch as nearly $100 million in data-center freight has been stolen since early June. Phil and Scott discuss criminals targeting security escorts, stolen cargo turning up in retail stores, and why six or seven out of every 10 stolen loads may now leave the United States. They also examine altered bills of lading, cartel involvement, drug smuggling through commercial transportation, and what companies need to do before they become the next target. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? is hosted by Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent. The show, sponsored by Gnosis Freight, features three industry guests covering international trade, trucking community tools, and autonomous AI logistics: Trey Boring (President at IMS Worldwide Incorporated): Trey discusses his nearly four decades of navigating international trade, foreign trade zones (FTZs), tariffs, and reshoring strategies. He outlines how FTZs help companies defer duty payments, manage inventory control, and adapt to shifting global supply chains. Additionally, he shares details about his volunteer work as Senior Vice Chair for Cigars for Warriors, a non-profit sending premium cigars and supplies to deployed U.S. service members. Alex Mai (Mutha Trucker News): Alex reflects on his journey building one of the nation's largest trucking communities and content platforms. He introduces his new platform, Driver Open Door, designed to bridge the communication gap between drivers and fleet leadership. The platform features an anonymous "bat signal" chat feature that routes urgent driver concerns directly to executive leadership using AI, aiming to lower turnover rates and improve driver retention. Abdul Basharat (CEO of Cartage): Abdul breaks down the practical application of AI in global logistics. He introduces Wilson, an autonomous logistics operator trained on specialized supply chain models to handle routine emails, quotes, and coordination tasks. Abdul explains how AI agents allow lean operational teams to automate the majority of repetitive freight tasks so humans can focus on complex edge cases. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT⁠ ⁠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 in Washington, where lawmakers are aggressively tying executive pay to actual delivery performance at the struggling Postal Service. A bipartisan bill ⁠barring USPS executives from receiving bonuses until on-time delivery hits ninety-five percent⁠ was approved by the Senate Homeland Security Committee last week. The No Bonuses for Bad Service Act comes as the mail carrier missed its on-time target for all eight delivery categories in fiscal year 2025, lost twenty-five billion dollars over the last three years, and reported a two point five billion dollar loss for the third quarter. Next, we shift over to the truckload sector, where Werner Enterprises is shrugging off recent spot market softness and doubling down on the supply-driven recovery. Speaking at Deutsche Bank's Chicago Industrials Summit Tuesday, ⁠Chairman and CEO Derek Leathers told investors the company remains unfazed by the seasonal slowdown⁠ in July truckload spot market trends. Leathers estimates that eight hundred fifty to nine hundred CDL schools have been forced to close due to insufficient training standards, powering Werner's turnaround with the company's one-way truckload fleet seeing revenue per truck per week jump twenty-eight percent year over year in the second quarter. Finally, we cover the nationwide crackdown on fraudulent CDL training programs as state regulators in Michigan join the fight. The Michigan Department of State ⁠issued a summary suspension to Northern Michigan University Truck Driving School on August fifth⁠ following an investigation that uncovered multiple alleged violations. Among the most significant allegations, regulators said the school provided behind-the-wheel instruction to students without first verifying they possessed valid commercial learner's permits and allowed students to sign blank instructional documents that were subsequently completed. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to today's episode of FreightWaves Today! In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge technology, Q2 financial results, supply chain strategies, and market dynamics shaping the logistics and transportation industry. Here is what we cover in today's show: AI-Powered Freight Execution with Overroute Alex Reed, Founding CEO of Overroute, joins the show to discuss the official launch of their AI-led freight execution platform. Developed in a year-long co-design partnership with J.B. Hunt, the platform uses AI agents to automate shipment coordination, detect exceptions, and streamline customer communications directly within existing carrier systems. Alex breaks down how the technology works day-to-day, how exceptions are handled, and the role of human oversight in AI-driven logistics. RXO Q2 Earnings & Market Share Growth Drew Wilkerson, Chairman and CEO of RXO, breaks down the company's Q2 financial performance and market strategy. RXO reported strong volume growth across its business, with truckload volume outperforming the market by growing 2%. Drew shares how a 42% spot mix drove gross profit per load, the impact of agentic AI on operational productivity, and why he believes the freight market is in the early stages of a recovery. Managing Summer Retail Surplus & Returns Amrita Bhasin, Co-Founder and CEO of Sotira, returns to discuss how retailers are navigating late-summer return spikes and excess seasonal inventory heading into fall. Amrita explains how Sotira leverages AI to match overstock inventory with secondary buyers and donation markets—helping brands protect their bottom line while keeping surplus goods out of landfills. Transportation M&A & Freight Market Capacity Craig Decker, Managing Director at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, provides an inside look at the dealmaking environment across logistics and transportation. Craig explores how capacity leaving the system—rather than a surge in demand—is driving early signs of freight market recovery, and what buyers and sellers need to know about transportation M&A activity heading into 2026. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trucking says it has a DRIVER SHORTAGE. So why are some  carriers still burning through drivers at 90%+ turnover? Maybe trucking doesn't have a recruiting problem. Maybe it has a job worth keeping problem. On this episode of Brake Check, Charles Gracey digs into why professional drivers leave and why the industry's answer always seems to be recruiting MORE people instead of fixing what sends them out the door. Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, CEO of Garner Transportation Group and former ATA Chair, breaks down what her fleet does differently to retain drivers and faces tough questions about the disconnect between drivers, carriers and the organizations representing trucking in Washington.Then Charles brings on fellow SiriusXM Road Dog host Dan Ronan joins the conversation to tackle the numbers, the driver cycle and what drivers are saying that trucking's boardrooms still aren't hearing. We get into: 90%+ driver turnover The “driver shortage” debate Pay and unpaid working time Home time and dispatch Why good drivers actually leave Recruiting vs. retention The ATA-driver disconnect What successful fleets do differently Whether trucking has built jobs people actually want to keep You can recruit veterans, women, younger drivers and every other untapped workforce in America but if the job doesn't change, you're just pouring more people into a leaking bucket. Stop replacing drivers. Start giving them a reason to stay. This is Brake Check. Let's go full stop. #Trucking #TruckDrivers #DriverShortage #TruckingIndustry #TruckDriver #Freight #OwnerOperator #DriverRetention #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 with a massive consolidation move reshaping the finished vehicle logistics market. Jacksonville-based Proficient Auto Logistics announced a one hundred thirty million dollar agreement to acquire California-based Hansen & Adkins, a deal that will push the combined company's market share to roughly 25 percent of the new car hauling market. The acquisition will more than double Proficient's fleet to over seven hundred twenty-five company-owned units and add four hundred million dollars in annual revenue, with the deal expected to close in mid-August as the auto haul industry faces rising regulatory pressures and tightening capacity. Next, we explore a brewing battle in the parcel sector where a Senate bill aimed at solving Zip code confusion is triggering fierce pushback from postal leadership. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee endorsed legislation requiring the U.S. Postal Service to designate unique Zip codes for eighty-three communities, but Postmaster General David Steiner is warning that the mandate would cause irreparable harm to both the organization and its customers. Steiner claims implementation would cost well over eight hundred million dollars, completely erasing last quarter's hard-fought performance gains for an agency that has lost nearly fifteen billion dollars over the past twenty-one months. Finally, we break down strong second-quarter results from one of the nation's largest freight railroads as BNSF Railway reported pre-tax earnings rising nearly fourteen percent on higher volume and revenue. Parent company Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that BNSF's earnings climbed to two point zero six billion dollars as revenue increased fourteen point six percent to six point five six billion, driven by a six and a half percent volume surge and higher revenue per unit. Consumer products traffic grew nine point three percent thanks to increased West Coast imports and tightening truck capacity, while agricultural and energy shipments jumped eleven and a half percent, though the railroad's operating ratio deteriorated slightly as fuel costs surged sixty-eight percent year over year. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's show, we dive into the shifting macro landscape, major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, and new solutions for fleet electrification:  Freight Market Shakeout: Ryan Farlow, Industrials Senior Analyst at RSM, discusses how regulatory enforcement, small-carrier cost pressures, and changing capital costs could trigger a capacity shakeout to rebalance freight pricing.  Enterprise AI at Scale: Adrian Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Ripple, breaks down their record enterprise deployment with global freight forwarder JAS, detailing how bespoke AI automation transforms core workflows.  Autonomous Tech Milestones: Raquel Urtasun, Founder and CEO of Waabi, explains how the Waabi Driver achieved zero-retraining AI generalization by seamlessly transferring to the Volvo VNL Autonomous platform without new data.  Electrification Solutions: Pat White, VP of Commercial at OptiGrid, highlights how battery-integrated fast chargers enable fleets to bypass long utility delays and slash deployment timelines from years to weeks. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your week started with the fastest 45 minutes in freight! On today's episode, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down the latest supply chain headlines, crazy cargo fraud cases, and the evolving landscape of global trade. In This Episode: Headline News: Justin Turner named CEO of Mariner Logistics, a breakdown of the Little Debbie snack delivery fraud scheme, Indiana's massive truck inspection crackdowns, a driver's $510K fuel card fraud, and how new parcel surcharges boosted USPS revenue to $20B. Cargo Theft & Modern Security: Danny Ramon (Director of Intelligence at Overhaul) joins the show to walk through a real-time $500,000 electronics theft recovery in California. We dive into how cargo theft has evolved beyond traditional break-ins, the critical importance of continuous monitoring and law enforcement coordination, and why vetting brokers and carriers before pickup is your best line of defense. Overcoming Regulatory & Document Bottlenecks: Patrick Van Hull (Supply Chain Industry Consultant at Tungsten Automation) breaks down the operational reality of navigating tariffs and trade policy changes. Learn how document-heavy workflows—from bills of lading to customs entries—create massive supply chain bottlenecks, and how AI and automation are helping leaders build truly resilient operations. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT⁠ ⁠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 major leadership change at an integrated asset-backed 4PL that's betting big on carrier verification technology. Mariner Logistics recently ⁠named Justin Turner as chief executive officer⁠, handing the Coppell, Texas operation to an executive who spent the past decade scaling brokerages and freight tech companies, including a critical role helping Flock Freight grow revenue from roughly ten million dollars to more than five hundred million dollars. The company's proprietary Sentinel Protocol continuously scores carriers and lanes rather than checking them once at signup, applying multi-source verification to every shipment. Meanwhile, consolidation is accelerating in the managed logistics sector as ⁠Tampa-based BlueGrace Logistics acquired Idaho 3PL Truk TMS⁠, a broker focused on less-than-truckload transportation with a heavy concentration in the Pacific Northwest. Truk TMS had been operating as a BlueGrace partner and will now have full access to the company's technology platform and carrier network of over two hundred fifty thousand carriers, marking BlueGrace's third acquisition in recent years. Finally, we cover a freight fraud scheme that highlights the vulnerabilities in distributor delivery verification as ⁠Pennsylvania authorities filed fifteen criminal charges involving fraudulent Little Debbie delivery invoices⁠. The City of Washington Police Department alleges that distributor James Powell created fake invoices showing Little Debbie products reaching Pennsylvania retail stores when the deliveries never occurred, using forged employee signatures to falsely verify receipt of merchandise. Powell now faces multiple felony counts including forgery, theft by deception, and fraudulent business practices, with authorities seeking over seventeen thousand dollars in restitution. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens to trucking when autonomous technology collides with driver jobs, highway safety and an increasingly challenging legal environment? On this episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller is joined by Matthew Leffler and Julie Van de Kamp for a wide-ranging conversation about some of the biggest issues shaping the future of trucking. The discussion examines the complicated debate surrounding autonomous trucks and what increased automation could mean for professional drivers and the broader freight workforce. While technology promises new efficiencies and potential safety improvements, the transition raises major questions about jobs, responsibility and how quickly the industry should embrace autonomous operations. The conversation also turns to trucking's legal environment and the impact of nuclear verdicts. The group discusses why juries can be particularly unforgiving toward large trucking companies, how emotion can influence courtroom outcomes and why a carrier's investment in safety can become critically important when an accident ends up before a jury. Craig, Matthew and Julie explore questions including: Will autonomous trucking eliminate driving jobs or simply change them? How should the industry balance technological progress with protecting workers? Why are trucking companies especially vulnerable in jury trials? How much does emotion influence nuclear verdicts? What responsibility do carriers have to invest aggressively in safety? Can companies ever completely protect themselves from catastrophic verdicts? What happens when a fatal crash puts a price on corporate decisions and safety practices? It's a conversation about technology, people, safety and liability as trucking attempts to navigate a rapidly changing future. ⁠Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining a major safety recall affecting nearly six thousand brand-new Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. PACCAR is pulling model year 2027 vehicles due to a critical defect in the power distribution center that could cause drivers to lose engine power, antilock brakes, or windshield wipers without any dashboard warning. The problem originated from contaminated soldering at a supplier facility, though PACCAR estimates only 0.3 percent of recalled trucks actually have the defect. Meanwhile, a sophisticated fraud operation is targeting heavy-duty trucking suppliers across Western Canada as twelve businesses shipped truck tires, engine oil, and trailer parts on fraudulent credit card orders that initially appeared legitimate. Saskatchewan RCMP launched an investigation in March after companies across the province discovered that approved transactions ultimately failed, with callers having provided credit card details that prompted shipments before the payments declined. Finally, we cover a massive workforce reduction in Ohio as International Motors lays off 1,341 employees following the sale of its Springfield facilities to Canadian manufacturer Roshel. The sale is expected to close October 2nd, effectively ending the facility's contract manufacturing agreement with a major automotive company and paving the way for Roshel to transform the sprawling campus into a U.S.-based production hub for commercial, specialty, and armored vehicles. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers joins to show to discuss the latest LMI and the continued uncertainty that plagues supply chains.  ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of FreightWaves Today, co-hosts Zach Strickland and Julie Van de Kamp break down the latest market-moving headlines across the freight, logistics, and supply chain landscape. Driver Pay & Payroll Trends: Mike Ritzema, President and Founder of Superior Trucking Payroll Service, joins the show to discuss the Driver Pay Index reaching a record 170.04. He walks through what real payroll data reveals about rising driver compensation, surging turnover rates in June, and how carrier owners can adjust pay structures to navigate tightening margins. Scaling D2C Cold Chain Fulfillment: Juan Camilo Meisel, Founder and CEO of Grip, dives into the fast-growing world of direct-to-consumer perishable logistics. Juan shares insights on shipping over $3 billion in temperature-sensitive goods, why frozen products are leading the charge, and the strategic addition of industry veteran John Hummel as President of Grip Fulfillment to drive their next phase of expansion. Freightnomics & Macroeconomic Update: On the second half of the show, Zach Strickland and DJ Donahue break down the latest ISM manufacturing data, ADP labor metrics, and modal shifts between truckload and intermodal. Plus, Dr. Zack Rogers drops in for his monthly analysis of the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI), breaking down inventory cost deltas, capacity contractions, and what to expect heading into Q4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Brake Check Vacation Special, host Charles Gracey runs back two of the most critical regulatory, legal, and safety compliance conversations facing the trucking industry today. First, Brandon Wiseman and Rob Carpenter from Trucksafe join the show to break down what FMCSA's new MODUS registration system actually means for carriers and brokers. They dive into the legal fallout of recent Supreme Court rulings, discuss what's inside the massive new Highway Bill proposal (including controversial hair follicle testing provisions), and tackle the question: Are small fleets being regulated out of existence? Then, Sam Watts (Director of Safety & Loss Control at 10-4 Truck Insurance) joins to separate real fleet safety culture from "safety theater". Sam shares hard truths about driver pay structures, continuous CDL monitoring, fighting nuclear verdicts, and how carriers can protect their bottom line before a single crash happens. ⁠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 the latest quarterly results from third-party logistics provider RXO, which posted a mixed second-quarter performance. While net income remained at a five cents per share loss, the company achieved what it described as a ⁠historic sequential increase in profit per load driven by a massive jump in truckload spot mix⁠. That spot mix surged to forty-two percent in the second quarter, up from just thirty-three percent in the first quarter, as the strengthening freight market provides a tailwind for the broker. Next, we explore the encouraging turnaround at Forward Air, which is showing real signs of recovery following what analysts have called a messy merger with freight forwarder Omni Logistics. The company reported ⁠its best quarterly performance since the January 2024 combination, with consolidated revenue climbing nine percent year-over-year⁠ and consolidated adjusted EBITDA rising eighteen percent to ninety-three million dollars. The expedited freight segment led the charge with a solid twenty-four percent year-over-year revenue increase, benefiting from less-than-truckload freight that had previously been lost to a depressed truckload market now returning. Finally, we cover the heavy-duty truck market where North American Class 8 net orders totaled twenty-two thousand units in July, down thirty-one percent from June. However, industry analysts are clear that ⁠the slowdown reflects limited production availability rather than softening freight demand⁠, with calendar-year 2026 production essentially sold out. Through July, 2026 Class 8 net orders are running one hundred twenty percent higher than the same period last year, underscoring robust replacement demand and improving fleet utilization. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down critical news across the freight and logistics landscape, from financial health and quarterly earnings to regulatory shifts, market indices, and tariffs. James Gellert, Executive Chairman of Rapid Ratings, joins to discuss financial health across middle-market and private companies. He highlights cash-conversion cycle pressures, rising leverage, PE hold extensions, and how high-interest environments affect supply chain counterparty risk. Jay Edlin, CEO of Wove, stops by the studio to share how their AI-powered ingestion engine helps customs brokers and shippers navigate HTS updates and Section 301 tariff changes in real time. Trains Magazine Editor Bill Stephens breaks down North American rail traffic data. Excluding coal, carload growth remains strong alongside intermodal gains, pointing to continued industrial economy momentum. CEO Geoff Anderman discusses STG Logistics emerging from bankruptcy with a restructured balance sheet, the current state of drayage and intermodal demand, and ongoing modal conversion opportunities. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this hump day edition, Malcolm and The Dude dive into football playbook contests, fast-moving retail trends, new LTL technology, and sustainable supply chain tracking solutions. Jing Jing Chen (VP of Growth, Basic 3PL): Breaks down how e-commerce and viral social media trends are rewriting the traditional retail calendar. She explains how modern fulfillment centers and flexible warehousing adapt to handle sudden, viral demand surges—moving inventory in 72 hours instead of 72 days. Patrick Sugar (EVP of Operations, Saia LTL Freight): Discusses Saia's national expansion and the launch of Rev. Patrick shares operational insights into meeting changing customer expectations around speed, real-time visibility, reliability, and expanded last-mile capabilities. Dr. Brantly Fulton (CEO & Co-founder, Lamar Global): Takes us under the hood of single-use supply chain tracking. He shares how Lamar Global uses flexible electronics, roll-to-roll printing, and eco-friendly zinc batteries to solve complex reverse logistics and provide real-time temperature, humidity, and condition monitoring for cold chain and life sciences.  ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT⁠ ⁠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 the harsh financial realities facing the truckload sector, where Pamt Corp. posted its seventh consecutive quarterly net loss and a staggering 110.6% adjusted operating ratio in its truckload division. Despite slashing its fleet by over four hundred tractors in three years, the company is finally seeing emerging signs of relief with a four percent sequential increase in revenue per loaded mile and constrained driver supply creating potential rate correction opportunities ahead. Next, we explore a major consolidation in the specialized bulk sector as Canadian hauler Trimac Transportation acquired California Freight, a bulk food-grade logistics provider operating eight terminals across California and Nevada. This strategic acquisition brings approximately five hundred tractors and tank trailers hauling raw milk, plus over four hundred thousand square feet of food-grade storage space that aligns directly with Trimac's long-term growth strategy. Finally, we break down another critical win for shippers in the ongoing legal battle over vicarious liability, where a Texas appeals court blocked liability claims against Atlas Aerospace in a fatal 2018 trucking collision case. This marks the second recent Texas court decision rejecting shipper liability for failing to control carrier selection, while C.H. Robinson continues its aggressive appeal of the massive six hundred four million dollar Lipe vs. Lupus Superior verdict. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig and Julie cover the entire supply chain spectrum in this packed episode! GEODIS CEO Laura Ritchey recaps her first year leading the company, while John Brooks introduces the new WOW Supply Chain Activity Index from Warehouse on Wheels. Plus, Sope Creek Capital's Kevin Nolan breaks down recent earnings and freight trends, Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka celebrates a record-breaking month, and FreightWaves' Eric Kulisch unravels the mystery of a ghost fleet of unbranded cargo planes. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson is joined by Sean Dehan, Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Truckstop. Together, they dive deep into the changing landscape of the freight industry, exploring how brokers and carriers can navigate a post-Montgomery world, fight rising freight fraud, and adapt to shifting market dynamics. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Global Protection Corp., the company behind ONE® Condoms, never expected a routine shipment to become a $1.7 million cargo theft. The company wasn't hacked, yet it still became the victim of a sophisticated cyber-enabled scheme that forever changed how it approaches supply chain security. In this episode of Fraud Watch, Ryan Findling and Milla Impola share their story, the lessons they learned, and why they believe verification over speed is one of the strongest defenses against modern cargo theft. Questions for the Global Protection team? Contact them at info@globalprotection.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Brake Check! In this episode, Charles sits down with industry leaders to cut through the fluff, break down current market trends, and deliver real trucking talk. Michael Kroul (CEO of KTI) discusses navigating spot rates, building long-term carrier relationships, and the role of legal risk management and AI in modern freight brokerage. Tyler Johnston (GM of Operations at Mercer Transportation) breaks down the true cost of operating in 2026, the myth of the “Freight Super Cycle,” and why consistency outperforms chasing rates. ⁠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 manufacturing surge that's creating serious momentum across the freight landscape. July's Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing PMI jumped to 55.6, the highest reading since May 2022 and well ahead of analyst expectations. This manufacturing recovery is showing up directly in ⁠less-than-truckload volumes, with four publicly traded LTL carriers reporting tonnage up 2.6 percent year over year⁠ in the second quarter, and preliminary July results showing even stronger growth at 5.1 percent year over year. Next, we discuss a major driver misclassification case as ⁠drayage drivers who hauled for STG Logistics in New Jersey are eligible for a piece of a more than $2.2 million payout⁠ following the settlement. The suit, which dates back to 2023, was the first filed under a 2021 New Jersey law targeting employers who misclassified full-time workers as independent contractors. Eligible drivers can receive a lump sum based on their earnings from January 2017 to the present. Finally, we explore how a strategic investment is expanding global widebody cargo capacity as ⁠Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings completed its transaction to take a 49 percent stake in Iceland-based Air Atlanta⁠, the all-cargo carrier and lessor announced on Monday. As part of the deal, Atlas subsidiary Titan Aviation acquired fourteen widebody freighter aircraft owned by Air Atlanta and leased them back, while Air Atlanta's CEO and vice presidents acquired a 51 percent controlling interest in the operating companies. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig and Julie have a jam packed show to start of the week! FreightWaves Finance Editor, Todd Maiden, starts things off talking railroad earnings. He breaks down how major carriers like Schneider National handily beat expectations, signaling the early stages of a capacity-constrained rate recovery. Schneider captured double-digit rate increases on contract renewals during Q2. Zak Andersoe, Chief of Staff and VP of Corporate Relations at BNSF, outlined why the railroad strongly opposes the proposed merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). He explains how the merger creates an unprecedented level of market power (over 50% market share in the combined entity), which BNSF argues will ultimately raise prices and reduce competition for shippers—particularly bulk and carload shippers who lack competitive alternatives. Trent Broberg, CEO of FullBay, highlighted key trends and operational pressures across heavy-duty maintenance shops. Brian Fielkow, EVP of Risk Resources at Acrisure, detailed how safety directly drives productivity and enterprise value. Alex Tabarrok, Chair in Economics at George Mason University, presented findings from a white paper on autonomous vehicle (AV) adoption and opposition. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to WithSONAR! In this episode, we break down SONAR's latest Peak Season SITREP and highlight the key datasets you should be monitoring to stay ahead of changing market conditions. From capacity and demand to imports and spot rates, we'll walk through the indicators shaping the second half of the year and show you where to find them in SONAR. Check out the Peak Season SITREP here: https://sonar.surf/sitreps?tab=peak-season-capacity-convergence Save the charts to your 'My Dashboards' here: https://sonar.surf/sharepage/02389c4e-62ea-46f9-bdf4-debd22243c1f In this episode, you'll learn: How current capacity conditions compare to previous years Why tender rejections remain one of the most important leading indicators What freight volumes, fuel prices, and Port of Los Angeles imports are signaling for Q4 Which regions are experiencing the greatest market pressure How spot and contract rates are trending heading into peak season

Welcome to a Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with your hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! We are officially kicking off August with a wild ride through the latest freight news and diving into the future of logistics tech with two incredible guests. Malcolm and Mike run through a mind-boggling roundup of recent freight crime and poor decisions: $20M Smuggling Bust: Customs officers at the Calexico Port of Entry seized 1,002 pounds of cocaine hidden under the wooden floorboards of a flatbed hauling rebar. Discount Store Heist: The California Highway Patrol recovered more than $500,000 in stolen cargo merchandise from a discount retail store in Rialto. Million-Dollar Truck Theft Ring: Two men were arrested in South Carolina after stealing 13 semi-trucks and 3 trailers over the course of three years. Bud Light Bumper Cars: A driver in a 2022 Freightliner crashed into nine stopped vehicles in Erie, PA, and allegedly fled the scene on foot while carrying a case of Bud Light. USPS Lottery Theft: A Florida mail carrier was arrested for stealing a resident's mail and cashing their $2,600 winning lottery ticket. Louisiana CDL Bribery: A massive bribery scheme was uncovered where over 120 people paid around $5,000 each to obtain fraudulent CDLs with the help of corrupt DMV employees The Innovators: AI in Logistics Paul Singer (Co-founder & CEO, FleetWorks): Coming hot off being named a Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startup, Paul joins the show to discuss how FleetWorks is revolutionizing the industry. Leveraging his experience at Uber Freight, Paul explains how their AI agents (Chet and Sophia) help brokers and carriers automatically match freight, negotiate rates, and handle unstructured communications via phone, email, or text. Amir Haas (Founder & CEO, Eagle): Amir breaks down how Eagle is digitizing and securing manual freight yards. By automating gate check-ins with AI, they are stopping fake licenses, catching damaged or empty trailers, reducing dwell time, and saving facilities an average of $500,000 a year on labor costs. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT⁠ ⁠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 how Schneider National is aggressively pushing rates higher in a tight capacity environment. The Green Bay-based carrier handily beat second-quarter expectations and raised its full-year outlook, declaring that ⁠the truckload market is only in the early stages of rate recovery⁠ as it captures double-digit increases on contract renewals. Next, we explore the autonomous trucking sector where Aurora Innovation is spelling out exactly what its driverless technology will cost carriers. The Pittsburgh-based developer reported a second-quarter loss of two hundred seventy million dollars and ⁠detailed the per-mile pricing behind its two distinct business models⁠, targeting different revenue ranges for its transportation-as-a-service and driver-as-a-service offerings. Finally, we cover the rapidly evolving enterprise artificial intelligence landscape as a leading CEO argues that ⁠the competitive battleground has shifted away from model quality entirely⁠. Speaking at the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Chicago, Reindeer's founder explained that large language models are becoming commoditized and that the real edge now lies in the maintenance layer—detecting when workflows drift and adjusting agents without costly engineering intervention. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight industry is facing one of its biggest legal challenges ever. Craig Fuller and Matt Leffler analyze the $604 million C.H. Robinson verdict, unpack the court's borrowed employee finding, explore why brokers across the country are calling the case an existential threat, and examine what comes next as the decision heads toward appeal. ⁠Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a action-packed Friday episode of FreightWaves Today! Host Craig Fuller, Julie Van de Kamp, and guest host Max Fuller dive deep into the latest earnings releases, critical market shifts, and major legal developments rocking the supply chain industry. In this episode, we cover: Spotlight on ArcBest: President & CEO Seth Runser joins the show to discuss ArcBest's impressive Q2 performance, signs of an early demand recovery, their strategic rebranding (consolidating Molo and Panther), and the launch of the new ArcBest View platform. Freight Market Deep Dive: A breakdown of 5 key market pillars—from capacity exits and durable spot rates to shifting driver recruiting dynamics. C.H. Robinson & Earnings Roundup: Senior Editor John Kingston drops by to unpack C.H. Robinson's earnings call, headcount reductions, and the lingering overhang of recent litigation. Legacy Carriers & Market Supercycle: Covenant Logistics Founder & CEO David Parker sits down to discuss Covenant's transition away from one-way OTR, driver market constraints, rising insurance burdens, and why we might be in the early stages of a freight supercycle. Freight Expectations: Transportation attorney Matt Leffler breaks down the massive $604M Lupus Superior nuclear verdict against C.H. Robinson, the legal concept of vicarious liability/co-employment, and why this case represents an existential threat to the freight brokerage model. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the fastest 45 minutes in freight! On this end-of-July edition of What the Truck?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down the latest industry headlines and sit down with top leaders in supply chain technology and fleet operations. In this episode: Headlines & Legal Dramas: A breakdown of the latest updates surrounding the Louisiana staged-accident scam and attorney Vanessa Motta's denied request for a new trial. Plus, a look at the fallout from high-profile broker liability cases and nuclear verdicts. Reinventing Freight with Tech & EVs: Sami Khan, Co-Founder and CEO of Novoia, joins the show to discuss how AI, electrification, and autonomous hub-and-spoke models are reshaping over-the-road freight. He shares real-world performance data on their Tesla Semis and explains how AI is freeing up dispatchers to focus on high-value tasks. Tackling the Technician Shortage: Matt Trapp, VP of Operations at Cox Fleet, stops by to talk about the real challenges facing fleet maintenance. Learn how Cox Fleet is recruiting the next generation of tech-savvy mechanics—including military veterans—and why leadership is the key to technician retention. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT⁠ ⁠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 with a massive equipment theft bust as law enforcement officers across the Carolinas recovered ⁠thirteen semi-trucks, three trailers, and two motor vehicles worth over one million dollars⁠ during an ongoing Florence County investigation. Two North Carolina men face grand larceny and conspiracy charges for allegedly stealing nine commercial motor vehicles between November 2022 and October 2025, with the eighteen-vehicle recovery highlighting the critical importance of fast reporting and secure parking controls. Next, we explore the less-than-truckload sector where ⁠XPO delivered record-breaking second-quarter results that crushed Wall Street expectations⁠ with adjusted earnings per share of one dollar and seventy cents. The Greenwich-based carrier's LTL unit posted a seventy-nine point nine percent adjusted operating ratio, three hundred basis points better year-over-year, with management declaring the industry is still in the early innings of a multiyear double-digit rate growth cycle. Finally, we cover how ⁠Saia's softer full-year margin outlook sent shares tumbling twelve percent⁠ in midday trading Thursday despite delivering better-than-expected quarterly earnings. The Johns Creek carrier now expects to hit the lower end of its guidance range, with the addition of thirty-three new service centers since 2022 dragging on margins as these fresh facilities still trail the legacy network with operating ratios in the low-ninety percent range. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcom and Julie are live from the Westin in downtown Chattanooga at the Univar Solutions Carrier Kickoff Event. Key Segments & Highlights Rob McRae (VP of Transportation, Univar Solutions): Explains the strategy behind Univar's Carrier Kickoff and why investing in face-to-face relationships with carriers—especially in the specialized chemical and liquid bulk space—creates long-term reliability and market protection. Details what it takes to be awarded "Shipper of Choice," including driver engagement, internal talent recruitment, and maintaining disciplined, service-focused carrier scorecards. Brad Hadley (VP of National Accounts, Saia LTL Freight): Analyzes the industry shift of shipments moving from truckload to less-than-truckload (LTL) as truckload capacity tightens and rates rise.Highlights Saia's capital investments, terminal expansions, and their internal "Dock-to-Driver" training program designed to develop CDL drivers from within. Brian Riley (VP of National Account Sales, Arrive Logistics): Breaks down the "trilogy" relationship between shippers, carriers, and service providers. Discusses how shippers can navigate tightening capacity, handle lower-volume "tail" lanes, and adopt proactive contract adjustments to avoid volatile spot market pricing. Ben Caplenor (EVP of Operations, LRT Solutions): Shares insights on operational growth, prioritizing service and safety amidst industry headwinds, and how smaller carriers can leverage cost-effective technology to free up team bandwidth. Tyson Wimberly (SVP of Sales & Revenue Management, Covenant Logistics): Discusses Covenant's evolution into a full-service logistics organization, its focus on alternative fuel sustainability, and the critical importance of predictable scheduling and fair pay for professional truck drivers. ⁠⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can trucking survive if diesel hits $6 a gallon? And if it does...will AI be the difference between staying profitable and shutting the doors? On this episode of Brake Check, we tackle two of the biggest forces reshaping trucking today. Senior Market Analyst Phil Flynn of The PRICE Futures Group breaks down where diesel prices are really headed, what could send fuel above $6 per gallon, how geopolitics, refinery capacity, and oil markets impact every load you haul, and what fleets should be doing before the next price spike....not after it. Then, Ava Davis from Alvys separates AI fact from fiction. Every software company claims to have AI....but what's real, what's hype, and what actually saves carriers time and money? We dig into AI-powered dispatch, fraud detection, operations, automation, and the tools that are giving smart fleets a competitive edge. Inside this episode: Could diesel really hit $6? Where oil prices are headed through the end of 2026. The biggest risks to fuel prices. What every fleet should watch before buying fuel. The truth about AI Fake AI vs. real AI. How AI is changing the workforce. The smartest moves carriers can make to protect their margins. Whether you're an owner-operator, fleet owner, dispatcher, broker, or trucking executive, this episode delivers practical insights you can use to prepare for what's coming next. The question isn't whether trucking is changing. The question is whether your business will change fast enough to survive it. Subscribe to Brake Check for unfiltered conversations with the people shaping the future of trucking. ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the Craig and Julie as they dive deep into a jam-packed Wednesday broadcast covering the latest Q2 earnings, market trends, rail updates, and freight technology! In This Episode: Market Dynamics & Q2 Earnings Overdrive: The hosts unpack earnings season highlights across the supply chain, analyzing surging revenue metrics, tight capacity, and how asset-based carriers like Werner Enterprises, Night-Swift, and Old Dominion (posting an unheard-of 70.1 operating ratio!) are navigating the market recovery. Trailer Optimization with Repower: Chris Hines, CEO of Repowr ("The Trailer Whisperer"), discusses the launch of TOP (Trailer Optimization Platform). Learn how automating execution layers and managing trailer pools helps carriers eliminate empty miles, improve driver retention, and stop revenue leak. Inside an Employee-Owned Fleet: Brent Nussbaum, CEO of Nussbaum Transportation, shares why transitioning to an ESOP in 2018 transformed their culture, maintained an impressive ~30% turnover rate, and created sustainable growth. Plus, a look at how Nussbaum is leveraging their new pricing technology, BidRight. Rail Industry & STB Merger Updates: Bill Stevens, Editor of Trains Magazine, drops in for the weekly Association of American Railroads (AAR) report. The team breaks down carload and intermodal trends, along with key takeaways from the "Future of Rail" symposium regarding Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern's proposed transcontinental merger. OEM Market Analysis: Chris Versace (Chief Investment Officer at Tematica / Portfolio Manager at TheStreet Pro) analyzes transport stocks, UPS's restructuring struggles against Amazon Flex, and PACCAR's strong demand outlook amidst the impending EPA 2027 emissions pre-buy. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a Wednesday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? — the fastest 45 minutes in freight! Hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down the biggest news and trends across the supply chain, from high-stakes freight security to the future of electric fleet infrastructure. On This Episode: Tragic Rail Container Smuggling Incident: The hosts cover a disturbing story reported by FreightWaves' Phil Brink regarding seven migrants who tragically lost their lives inside a sealed rail container in Texas and the 11 defendants facing life sentences. They analyze the criminal smuggling networks, carrier liability, and differences between maritime and rail security regulations. EV Infrastructure Realities with EV Realty: Patrick Sullivan, Co-Founder & CEO of EV Realty, joins the show to discuss what it actually takes to support commercial electric trucks. He breaks down the industrial real estate and power grid challenges facing fleet electrification, why drayage and regional routes are leading adoption, and how data drives fleet hub locations. Tackling Freight Fraud with Cipher & Row: John Nolan, Co-Founder, CEO, and Chief Systems Architect at Cipher & Row, stops by to discuss the escalating issue of freight fraud. He explains how AI-driven packet scanning, carrier vetting, and timestamped audit trails help brokers protect themselves against reincarnated carriers and compliance risks. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from Chattanooga, Tennessee, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp broadcast from the Future of Rail Symposium to break down the latest shifts transforming the freight and logistics industry. In this episode, Craig and Julie dive deep into the critical role of freight rail as the backbone of the American industrial economy. They discuss recent market shifts, safety technology investments, regulatory updates, and why AI-driven data center expansion and energy sector growth are creating massive opportunities for rail networks. Plus, they examine the ongoing fallout from recent legal precedents impacting freight brokers and trucking liability. Later in the episode, Zach Strickland (Head of Freight Market Intelligence) sits down with FreightWaves rail and intermodal expert Stuart Charles to dissect the latest SONAR market data. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trucking industry just entered a new era...and "we didn't know" may no longer be enough. After the Montgomery v. Caribe decision, brokers are facing unprecedented scrutiny over how they select motor carriers. Then came another massive Texas verdict involving Home Depot and C.H. Robinson, raising new questions about broker liability, negligent selection, and whether every catastrophic truck crash is now a lawsuit waiting to happen. At the same time, freight fraud and cargo theft continue to explode, costing the industry hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Identity theft, stolen MC numbers, double brokering, cargo theft rings, and organized fraud are forcing carriers, brokers, and load boards to rethink how freight moves across America. In this episode of Brake Check, Charles Gracey sits down with TIA President & CEO Chris Burroughs, former TIA Chairman Jeff Tucker, and Truckstop General Counsel Lynsey Pickenpaugh for one of the most important conversations in trucking this year. Inside this episode: What Montgomery v. Caribe really changed The legal impact of the latest Texas nuclear verdict Is every broker now exposed to negligent selection lawsuits? Why 92% of carriers have no federal safety rating Should FMCSA define what a "safe carrier" is? The future of broker liability How modern freight fraud actually works Identity theft, stolen MC numbers, and cargo theft What Truckstop is doing to stop fraud before it starts The one mistake carriers and brokers can't afford to make Whether you're a truck driver, owner-operator, carrier, freight broker, safety director, attorney, shipper, or fleet executive, this episode explains what has changed, what hasn't, and what every transportation professional needs to understand before the next load moves. The rules are changing. The lawsuits are getting bigger. The fraudsters are getting smarter. Are you ready? Join the conversation in the comments: Should FMCSA define what makes a carrier "safe," or should the industry remain responsible for making that decision itself? #Trucking #Freight #BrokerLiability #FreightFraud #CargoTheft #Transportation #FMCSA #TruckingNews #OwnerOperator #FreightBroker #Logistics #BrakeCheck #CDL #SupplyChain #MotorCarrier #TruckingIndustry ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Freight Waves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down one of the most transformative developments in recent logistics history: a staggering $640 million nuclear judgment involving C.H. Robinson that has sent shockwaves through the brokerage industry and freight markets. Plus, we explore how AI data center expansion is reshaping flatbed and bulk capacity, the latest trends in last-mile retail delivery, and a custom tech solution built specifically for truck drivers! Dennis McCaffrey, SVP of Enterprise Sales at RXO, drops by to share war stories from the early days of ExpressOne and XPO. He breaks down how RXO scaled into the 3rd largest freight broker, the power of managed expedite platforms, and what the next 12–18 months look like for capacity. Hackathon Winner Spotlight: RateSafe: Hackathon winner Sean Conley (VPA & Director of Business Development at Vantage Logistics) introduces RateSafe—an app built using Sonar's API that cuts through the noise to tell drivers what not to book based on personalized operating costs and home-time expectations. Last-Mile Delivery & Retail Trends: Jake Stein, VP of Retail Growth at Burke, breaks down the shift from ultra-fast delivery to extreme reliability, multi-carrier last-mile orchestration, and the realistic timeline for drone delivery. The "Capacity Tax" & AI Data Centers: Blake Ezell, VP of Customer Success & Support at IntelliTrans, joins to challenge the market recovery narrative. Discover how hyperscale AI data center construction is quietly consuming massive amounts of flatbed and bulk capacity—creating a bidding war for specialized freight. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! On today's show, we're diving into the biggest headlines shaking up supply chains, trailer leasing traps, and a complete shift in how LTL shipper performance is measured. What we cover in this episode: Headlines: The massive $600M nuclear verdict against C.H. Robinson, a $290M cocaine bust hidden in Ecuadoran banana shipments, cartel business fronts, and the latest biweekly logistics layoff roundup. Trailer Leasing Realities: Ed Behnen (SVP of Sales at Premier Trailer Leasing) drops by the studio to talk about avoiding the "low rate" lease trap, fighting off Facebook Marketplace equipment scams, and leveraging telematics to protect your assets. Flipping the LTL Scorecard: Lance Healy (Co-Founder & CEO of FreightFAX) breaks down how FreightFAX is turning the tables by scoring shippers instead of carriers on a 900-point scale, tracking dwell times, claim rates, and "freight karma." Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This jam-packed episode of FreightWaves Today covers major industry-shaking news, featuring a massive nuclear lawsuit judgment against C.H. Robinson, key updates across intermodal rail,yard security technology, and last-mile logistics. The show opens with the fallout from a $604 million nuclear lawsuit verdict handed down in Dallas County Court against C.H. Robinson and motor carrier Lupus Superior following a fatal multi-vehicle pileup in Mississippi. Cassandra Gaines, Founder of Carrier Assure, and FreightWaves journalist John Kingston join to analyze what this landmark post-Montgomery decision means for freight brokers nationwide. Later in the show, the hosts speak with Paul Svindland (CEO of Mallory Alexander and former CEO of Celadon) about his career navigating distressed supply chain companies, before exploring yard security, booming rail earnings, and the impact of the housing slowdown on last-mile delivery. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices