FreightCasts

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

Autonomous trucking is moving from the drawing board to real-world operations — and the implications for the freight industry could be enormous. In this special edition of FreightWaves Today, we take an in-depth look at the future of automation with leaders across autonomous trucking, freight marketplaces, artificial intelligence and autonomous delivery. The episode explores how purpose-built autonomous vehicles could reshape the way freight moves, including the potential decline of traditional drop-trailer models and the rise of on-demand, dock-to-dock transportation. Industry leaders also discuss whether autonomous trucking will accelerate consolidation among carriers and brokers, and which companies could be best positioned for the transition. We also examine the business of autonomous transportation with Einride CEO Roozbeh Charafeddine, including the company's growth, its work with major customers such as Amazon, its 500-truck Tesla Semi commitment and its strategy for gradually introducing autonomous and electric vehicles into freight networks. Charafeddine also discusses Einride's defense business and how autonomous technology can remove people from dangerous transportation environments. uShip CEO Shawn Wu talks about the role of marketplaces in a changing freight environment, including the challenges of moving non-standardized and oversized freight, marketplace trust and safety, cargo security, household moves and the current market for large and bulky shipments. The conversation then expands beyond trucking to autonomous delivery. AV Ride discusses its autonomous passenger vehicles and delivery robots, the role of platforms such as Uber and Grubhub, and the challenges of bringing autonomous delivery from dense urban areas and college campuses into suburban markets. We also examine how artificial intelligence could transform global trade, with a focus on the data and operational knowledge needed to make AI agents useful in real-world supply chain operations. From autonomous trucks and electric fleets to AI, delivery robots and the potential consolidation of the freight industry, this special edition looks at the technologies and business models that could define the next decade of transportation. Subscribe to FreightWaves for more coverage of the people, companies and technologies shaping the future of freight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris on FreightWaves Today as they break down major freight news, market trends, and industry insights. In this episode, industry leaders discuss small carrier financial discipline, fleet repair innovations, and regional market volatility. In our Morning Minute: Teamsters President Sean O'Brien warns UPS of potential 2028 strike risks, Delaware breaks ground on a $669M container terminal project, and a cargo ship fire in China leaves 25 dead. Then, Dave Gilbert, Founder and CEO of National Funding, discusses why a full order book doesn't always signal expansion readiness, navigating high repair costs, and how small carriers can avoid cash flow traps. Julie has a breakdown of national tender rejections, spot rates, and headhaul vs. backhaul trends across key markets including Cincinnati, Detroit, Joliet, Miami, and Houston. And to wrap up the first hour, Andy Klobnock, COO of ServiceUp, breaks down their new partnership with Stellantis Pro One, detailing how centralized billing and AI agents are untangling fleet repair headaches. Then in our 2nd hour, Zach Strickland and economist D.J. Donahue break down the latest economic data and what it means for transportation, consumers and the broader freight economy. Zach is also joined by Thomas Wasson who helps Zach to explore the changing North American freight landscape. They discuss Mexican cross-border trucking, cabotage enforcement, falling Laredo freight volumes, shifting Mexico trade flows and the growing influence of data-center construction on freight demand. Data-center investment is generating demand for electronics, steel, concrete and open-deck capacity even as traditional consumer demand remains relatively muted. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Friday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Malclolm and Michael Vincent kick off the show with some banter before diving into major freight industry headlines and expert interviews. Key Industry Headlines Colorado Federal Court Ruling: U-Haul was dismissed as a defendant in a Colorado federal court trial following a fatal June 2024 accident where steel beams fell off a truck. The judge cited lack of clarity regarding whether the driver was hauling for U-Haul or Monique Trucking. Massive Drug Ring Busted: Roberto Lopez was sentenced to nearly 19 years in prison for his role in a trucking-based drug ring that moved cocaine and millions in cash across the southeast using stashes and falsified logistics. Fatal Chinese Shipyard Fire: A fire aboard the Liberia-flagged dry bulk carrier Ocean Melody at the Qingdao Beihai Shipyard resulted in 25 confirmed deaths. Border Produce Drug Seizure: DEA and CBP agents in South Texas uncovered 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside a shipment of cabbage. Featured Guests Johannes Ariens (CEO, Range Zero Emissions): Breaks down the strategic consolidation of West Coast zero-emission commercial vehicle operations, including partnerships with Ziegler Truck Group and Hyundai Translead. He discusses scaling medium- and heavy-duty battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell fleets, navigating incentive structures, and redesigning dealership models to account for 40% to 60% less vehicle maintenance. Diane Hutson (Executive Director, Saint Christopher Truckers Relief Fund): Highlights the non-profit's milestone of delivering over $5.5 million in financial assistance to ill and injured drivers. She details their free preventative health initiatives—including cancer screenings, smoking cessation programs, and vaccines—and calls on industry leaders to help connect drivers directly to these critical resources. ⁠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 with a stark warning from the Teamsters union as ⁠President Sean O'Brien puts UPS on notice for a potential strike in 2028⁠, two full years before contract negotiations typically turn contentious. Among the key demands are protections against benefit rollbacks, restrictions on autonomous trucks, and a highly unusual provision allowing regional unions to strike mid-contract over unresolved grievances. Next, we explore major maritime infrastructure developments as ⁠construction officially begins on Delaware's massive $669 million container terminal along the Delaware River⁠. The Delaware Container Terminal will feature a 45-foot berth depth capable of handling post-Panamax vessels up to 16,000 TEUs and is projected to create nearly 6,000 new jobs once fully operational by late 2028. Finally, we cover a devastating incident in China where ⁠a deadly fire aboard a cargo ship at a Qingdao shipyard claimed 25 lives⁠ during repair operations. The blaze erupted Thursday morning aboard the Liberia-flagged dry bulk carrier Ocean Melody, with authorities launching an investigation into the cause of the tragedy that left 42 people aboard at the time of the incident. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's driving freight costs higher — fuel, tight capacity, inflation, or all of the above? On this episode of Freightonomics, Zach Strickland and economist D.J. Donahue break down the latest economic data and what it means for transportation, consumers and the broader freight economy. Producer prices are rising, with energy playing a major role. Diesel prices have surged, putting additional pressure on trucking and transportation costs, while elevated tender rejection rates point to a freight market that remains tight. The show also examines consumer credit, historically high credit card rates and what slowing credit growth could signal for consumer health and future freight demand. The conversation then turns to trade policy and the latest tensions with Canada. Zach and D.J. examine proposed restrictions on Canadian imports, the potential economic impact and why some of the targeted trade flows may have a much smaller effect on overall freight volumes than the headlines suggest. In the second half, Thomas Wasson joins Zach to explore the changing North American freight landscape. They discuss Mexican cross-border trucking, cabotage enforcement, falling Laredo freight volumes, shifting Mexico trade flows and the growing influence of data-center construction on freight demand. Data-center investment is generating demand for electronics, steel, concrete and open-deck capacity even as traditional consumer demand remains relatively muted. The episode also dives into ocean freight rates, fuel costs, congestion and the impact of weather on trans-Pacific shipping. Finally, Zach and Thomas examine changing FMCSA data and what it really tells us about trucking capacity. The bottom line? Capacity is not meaningfully growing yet, and the industry may be moving toward a smaller, more closely vetted and safer carrier base — but at a higher price. ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market is heading into peak season with plenty of uncertainty. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Malcolm Harris and Zach Strickland break down the latest data shaping trucking, logistics and the broader economy. First, Eric Lemus of The Fulfillment Lab joins the show to discuss new Commerce Signal data showing operator margin cushions nearly disappearing as shipping costs rise faster than revenue. With parcel costs up sharply and peak-season surcharges approaching, retailers and 3PLs face growing pressure to control transportation spend while managing lean inventories. Lemus also explains why diversifying carrier strategies could deliver significant savings. Then, Zach dives into the latest SONAR data, including tender rejection rates, tender volumes, spot rates, diesel prices, imports and the potential for tighter capacity as retailers replenish inventory heading into Q4. Weather is also taking center stage. Ben Hershey of DTN explains how AI-powered weather intelligence and crash-risk forecasting can help fleets anticipate dangerous conditions, improve routing decisions and keep drivers moving safely. The discussion also examines what the developing El Niño pattern could mean for winter weather, freight corridors and mountain passes across the country. In the second hour, Zach is joined by FreightWaves economist D.J. Donahue to unpack the latest economic releases, consumer credit, transportation inflation, tariffs and the growing influence of AI and data-center construction on the economy and freight demand. Finally, Thomas Wasson returns to discuss major transportation and international trade issues, including U.S.-Mexico cross-border freight, cabotage enforcement, changing freight flows, maritime rates and the latest FMCSA carrier data. The conversation takes a close look at whether trucking capacity is actually growing — and what recent regulatory changes could mean for the carrier base. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Lovan has seen how trucking companies die. Not slowly, from rates. Fast, from one crash. Before he became an advisor at J. J. Keller, Josh was Director of Safety and Security for a major carrier — the man in the room when the accident call came in, when OSHA showed up, when the lawyers started prepping for trial. He's sat in the depositions. He's watched a single wreck, with shared fault and complicated facts, turn into a verdict big enough to erase a company. And before trucking, he was a law enforcement detective running undercover operations — which is exactly the background you want advising fleets on security in the middle of a cargo theft epidemic. Here's what he'll tell you that most safety conversations won't. The lawsuit doesn't start when the crash happens. It starts years earlier — in the driver file you didn't complete, the camera footage you never reviewed, the coaching conversation you skipped because the truck was making money. When the plaintiff's attorney gets your records, they're not looking for the accident. They're looking for the pattern. And most small carriers are handing them one without knowing it.We get into what actually gets carriers destroyed in litigation, how to use dash cams to coach drivers instead of policing them, the safety management cycle that turns compliance from paperwork into protection, the hours-of-service exceptions most small carriers misuse, what a mock audit catches before the real one does, and — from a former undercover detective — how thieves and fraudsters are actually targeting carriers right now, and what stops them. Good drivers are made great on purpose. This episode is the blueprint. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rate confirmation looks legit. The authority checks out. The email looks right. The money looks good. Then the freight disappears .... or you deliver it and nobody pays you. Freight fraud isn't just getting bigger. It's getting smarter. Stolen identities, fake carriers, double brokering, strategic theft and criminals who increasingly know exactly how to look legitimate long enough to get your truck .... or your customer's freight. On this episode of Brake Check, we're putting BOTH sides of the transaction in the same room. Jason Schaftlein, General Manager of McLeod Express, breaks down how a real carrier decides which brokers deserve its trucks, the red flags that kill a load, what five-truck fleets can verify themselves, what it really costs to operate compliant equipment, and what happens when legitimate carriers compete against bad actors. Then former Chicago Bear and Bear Down Logistics President Desmond Clark takes the broker's chair. What does a broker actually verify before trusting a carrier? How do legitimate small fleets avoid getting treated like criminals? How fast should brokers pay? What does running actual equipment teach a broker? And yes .... we go straight at BROKER TRANSPARENCY. Then comes the question underneath this entire mess: How the hell did freight build a system where carriers don't trust brokers, brokers don't trust carriers...and criminals learned to exploit BOTH? No fluff No conference-panel answers Just two people sitting on opposite sides of the freight transaction explaining who they trust, who they don't, and WHY. If you're a carrier, owner-operator, freight broker, dispatcher, 3PL, shipper or fleet owner, watch this before you book your next load. Because the paperwork can look perfect. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE PERSON BEHIND IT IS. #Trucking #FreightFraud #FreightBroker #OwnerOperator #TruckingIndustry #DoubleBrokering #CargoTheft #Logistics #TruckDrivers #Freight ⁠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 massive milestone in cross-border commerce as US-Mexico trade smashed the monthly record at nearly $95 billion in July. Two-way trade surged 27.5% year over year, with Mexico now firmly holding its position as America's number one trading partner ahead of Canada and China. Laredo, Texas, retained its crown as the nation's busiest international trade gateway, handling nearly $37 billion in commerce while experiencing tight trucking capacity.Meanwhile, federal regulators are giving carriers some breathing room during a major technology transition. We discuss how FMCSA suspended enforcement of biennial update requirements and stopped deactivating USDOT numbers for missed filings. The relief covers deadlines on or after June 1, 2026, and remains in place while registrants transition to the agency's new MOTUS system, which launched in May.Finally, we unpack the federal government's aggressive crackdown on alleged CDL fraud as ICE launched a tip line for reporting suspected commercial driver's license fraud in partnership with the Department of Transportation. The tip line comes shortly after federal officials removed over 110 commercial driver training schools from a federal registry, with HSI already receiving more than 1,000 leads involving CDL-related businesses suspected of unsafe practices and potential connections to human smuggling, drug trafficking, and cartel activity.Follow the FreightWaves NOW PodcastOther FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Malcolm Harris and Julie Van de Kamp break down the latest developments shaping freight, transportation and global supply chains. The show leads with escalating trade tensions as Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on nearly $20 billion of U.S. goods, while President Donald Trump raises the possibility of further changes to trade with Mexico, Canada and the European Union. The hosts examine what the uncertainty could mean for cross-border freight, manufacturers, shippers and transportation costs. Then, Jason Murray, CEO and co-founder of Shipium, and Penny Allen, SVP of AI Product and Engineering, join the show to discuss Shipium's new "Always-On Audit." They explain how AI-powered, continuous auditing can track shipments in real time, identify billing and data issues, catch problems before they become costly and automate freight-payment reconciliation. The team also digs into the deadly Amazon cargo jet crash at Miami International Airport with FreightWaves air and parcel expert Eric Kulisch. Eric provides an update on the NTSB investigation, the sequence of events surrounding the Boeing 767 freighter's runway overrun and the potential implications for air cargo operations at one of the country's key international gateways. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm and The Dude dissect recent CargoNet reports regarding Labor Day cargo theft spikes, questioning the data manipulation versus real-world risk. They also dive into former President Donald Trump's comments on trade deficits and cross-border supply chains with Mexico and Canada. Keith Miao (CEO of Birdstop) and Carl Rundell (President & CEO of Truck Specialized Parking Services) discuss how autonomous drone technology and node networks are being deployed across major freight corridors. They explain how real-time aerial data is helping solve the nationwide truck parking crisis—starting with critical trade routes between Detroit and Windsor, Canada. Guy Yehiav (President of SmartSense) breaks down the physical and digital vulnerabilities in today's supply chains. From "no stop zones" to GPS spoofing and stealth pallet trackers, Guy highlights how organized crime is getting smarter and how shippers can better protect high-value freight ⁠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 the massive trade escalation adding serious costs and uncertainty across North American supply chains. Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs of up to fifty percent on nearly ⁠twenty billion dollars worth of U.S. goods following the collapse of bilateral trade negotiations⁠ in August. These duties target hundreds of American products, from steel and aluminum to dairy, clothing, furniture, and industrial equipment, impacting one of the world's largest bilateral trading relationships. Meanwhile, investigators are piecing together critical details from Sunday's deadly cargo jet crash at Miami International Airport. National Transportation Safety Board officials revealed that ⁠the Amazon Boeing 767 freighter was carrying over thirty-two thousand pounds of contact lenses⁠ and failed to deploy critical systems meant to slow the aircraft upon landing. The plane hovered well past the normal runway zone, ran off the runway at one hundred eighty-one miles per hour, and plowed into vehicles and fences, leaving five people dead. Finally, we unpack President Trump's dramatic escalation of trade rhetoric against America's largest trading partners. During a September fourth Oval Office news conference, ⁠Trump suggested the U.S. could stop trading with Mexico and other countries where it runs large trade deficits⁠, claiming America could prosper by reducing its dependence on foreign trade. Trump singled out Mexico, Canada, and the European Union, arguing the U.S. could eliminate trade deficits simply by refusing to trade with those markets. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠⁠ Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of FreightWaves Today, the team breaks down the latest freight market developments as the industry heads into fall peak season. Topics include the deadly cargo plane accident at Miami International Airport, rising truckload tender rejections, spot and contract rate trends, strong intermodal demand and what the latest SONAR data signals for the weeks ahead. The episode also explores record-high diesel prices and their impact on carriers and brokers, along with the evolving legal and regulatory landscape facing the trucking industry. Plus, the team looks at autonomous trucking, automation and the potential for consolidation across freight and logistics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trucking is spending a fortune on AI and automation. But what if fleets are automating the WRONG damn thing?AI can quote freight, process tenders, move data, predict maintenance problems and eliminate hours of back-office work. What it CAN'T do is lead your people.On this episode of Brake Check, Charles puts both sides of trucking's technology revolution in the hot seat. Grace Sharkey of Orderful has lived freight from nearly every angle .... brokerage executive, FreightWaves journalist and now freight-tech insider. We break down AI in trucking, freight automation, EDI, back-office technology, carrier productivity and how small fleets can separate REAL technology from another expensive demo with “AI” slapped on the front. What should a 20-truck carrier automate FIRST? What should stay human? How do you prove a technology investment actually delivers ROI? And how can you tell the difference between a real AI product and somebody who simply wrapped a shiny dashboard around an API?Then Dr. Vernard “Doctor V” Jenkins of Knight-Swift Supply Chain takes the other side.With 29 locations and roughly 10 million square feet of operations, Doctor V tackles leadership, employee retention, frontline management, AI implementation, change management and developing the next generation of transportation leaders. Because a dashboard can tell you WHAT happened. It still takes a leader to figure out WHY. And then we put $100,000 on the table:SOFTWARE OR PEOPLE?You can only choose one.If you're a fleet owner, trucking executive, owner-operator, freight broker, logistics professional, operations leader or anyone considering AI and automation, watch this before buying another piece of technology.The future isn't about choosing humans OR machines.It's knowing which damn job belongs to which.AUTOMATE THE WORK. NOT THE PEOPLE.#Trucking #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #FreightTech #TruckingIndustry #Automation #Logistics #FleetManagement #TruckDrivers #Leadership #SupplyChain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off with a tragic cargo jet accident that has crippled half of Miami International Airport's operations. An Amazon Air Boeing 767 freighter operated by 21 Air overran a runway during landing, struck multiple vehicles on a nearby road, and caught fire, leaving five people dead and five seriously injured. Listen in to learn how two of Miami's four runways remain closed following the deadly Amazon cargo jet accident, causing massive flight disruptions while the National Transportation Safety Board investigates the runway excursion that occurred at one hundred thirty miles per hour. Shifting gears to the rails, we examine a rare display of Democratic Party unity just weeks before crucial midterm elections. More than one hundred House Democrats are demanding that railroad workers come first in the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern mega-merger review by the Surface Transportation Board. The eighty-five billion dollar deal would create the first transcontinental freight railroad and the largest rail network in U.S. history, but union leaders warn that Union Pacific's lifetime employment offer does not fully protect some critical positions. Finally, we cover a critical visa enforcement dispute threatening to disrupt cross-border freight flows between Mexico and the United States. Mexican trucking industry leaders are intensifying calls for clarity after a trucker protest raised the stakes in the escalating Mexico-U.S. B-1 visa dispute with drivers blocking the Mexicali-Calexico East border crossing. Mexico's National Chamber of Freight Transportation estimates more than twenty-five thousand visas have been revoked from commercial drivers, potentially disrupting time-sensitive shipments including medical products, technology, food, and perishables. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today takes a look back at some of the biggest conversations shaping freight and transportation in this special edition featuring a collection of standout interviews from the summer. Malcolm Harris and the FreightWaves team dig into the real-world performance of the Tesla Semi with Inter-coastal Trucking's Bob Lewis, including driver feedback, range, charging infrastructure, maintenance savings and where electric trucks make the most sense in a fleet. The show also explores the state of the rail freight market with Telegraph's David Correll, including rail volume forecasts, coal exports, tank car availability, AI data center construction and the growing gap between truck and intermodal pricing. Freight market strategy takes center stage with RXO Chief Strategy Officer Jared Weisfeld, who discusses the ongoing capacity correction, tightening freight markets, shipper concerns, routing guide failures, spot versus contract rates and why he believes the industry could be entering a multi-year freight recovery. Mitsubishi HC Capital America's Kirk Mann joins the conversation to examine the equipment financing market, the impact of the freight recession on small carriers, truck values, lending conditions and what fleets are doing as the market begins to recover. Finally, Ken Adamo of EASE Logistics weighs in on current freight volumes, seasonality, intermodal growth, contract repricing and the question of whether new capacity is actually entering the trucking market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Malcolm Harris and Zach Strickland break down the latest developments shaping freight, logistics and the broader economy. The show opens with the latest headlines, including an EPA proposal that could change how diesel exhaust fluid warnings work, a series of commercial vehicle safety enforcement blitzes and rising Pacific container rates amid strong peak-season demand and port congestion. Then, Ainsley Williams, VP of Automation and Innovation at Kenco, joins the show to discuss the expansion of Kenco's Innovation Lab in Chattanooga from 10,000 to 30,000 square feet. She explains how the larger facility will allow Kenco to test interconnected warehouse robotics, automation systems and emerging technologies in a real-world environment before deploying them for customers. Zach then dives into the latest SONAR data, examining the impact of Labor Day on tender rejections, freight volumes and spot rates across van, reefer and flatbed markets. Later, Matt Pyatt, CEO and co-founder of Arrive Logistics, joins the show to discuss Mubadala Capital's majority investment in Arrive, the company's growth strategy and what the deal means for its future. Pyatt also shares his outlook on freight demand, capacity, truckload rates and why he believes the market remains highly susceptible to disruption. Finally, the FreightWaves team examines the latest JOLTS and ADP employment data with economist D.J. Donahue, looking at what the numbers reveal about the labor market and the health of the economy. Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest news, data and analysis from across the transportation and logistics industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers comes on to discuss the latest LMI results from August.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who the hell gave them a CDL .... and why did it take a family paying the price before Washington started listening?This episode of Brake Check isn't an attack on professional truck drivers. It's an investigation into the systems, safeguards, bad actors and policymakers that are supposed to keep unqualified drivers from ever getting behind the wheel of a commercial truck.Professional truck driver and father Marcus Coleman joins Charles  after taking his family's story to Congress. His daughter Dalilah suffered catastrophic injuries in a crash, and Marcus is now fighting for Dalilah's Law and stronger accountability throughout the commercial driver licensing system.We dig into the questions Washington needs to answer:How does an unqualified driver get a CDL? Where can the licensing and verification process fail? Who is responsible when safeguards aren't followed? What would Dalilah's Law actually change? And why does government so often react AFTER somebody pays the price?Then Zach Meiborg, owner of Meiborg Transportation, joins the conversation.Meiborg isn't just talking about supporting Dalilah's family — they're opening their Rockford, Illinois headquarters September 26 for the Stand With Dalilah Charity Motorcycle Ride.But we also tackle another side of the same accountability problem: legitimate motor carriers spending real money to hire qualified drivers, maintain equipment, follow hours-of-service regulations and operate legally while bad actors can gain an unfair advantage by cutting corners.Running illegal isn't innovation. Cheating isn't competition. And a government-issued piece of paper shouldn't replace actual qualification.This episode is about CDL standards, trucking safety, driver qualification, hours-of-service compliance, FMCSA enforcement, bad carriers, Dalilah's Law and government accountability.Professional truckers deserve better than being lumped together with operators who never should've been on the road.Families deserve better than finding out where the system failed after the crash.And policymakers?CONGRESS, IT'S YOUR TURN.#Trucking #CDL #TruckDrivers #TruckingSafety #FMCSA #Congress #Transportation #TruckingIndustry #OwnerOperator #BrakeCheck Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a pitch aimed at truckers on every platform right now. Brokers are eating your margin. Cut out the middleman. Get your own authority. It's not hard — you just need a mentor. And there's always a mentor selling. Trent Tulloh is one of them. He runs Forever Freight Broker, a Tampa training company that teaches drivers and dispatchers to become freight brokers. His reason is personal — his father was an owner-operator who lost his business to bad brokers, and Trent built his company to make sure truckers stop getting the bad end of the stick. I respect the wound. Today we test the remedy. Because this show doesn't platform pitches — it pressure-tests them. So Trent came in knowing the format: the claim goes on trial. Is brokering actually the answer for a struggling carrier, or is it a second business bolted onto a first one that isn't working? What does it really take — the bond, the credit, the shippers who don't know your name? And how does "it's not hard" survive a world where the Supreme Court just ruled that anyone selecting carriers can be sued for choosing wrong? He gets every chance to make his case. His numbers, his students, his story. And you get what this show owes you — the pitch, cross-examined, before you pay for it. Somebody's leaving this conversation with a different opinion. Might be him. Might be me. Might be you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off in Washington, where the public comment period has just closed on a major Environmental Protection Agency proposal that could fundamentally reshape how diesel engine systems operate. Listen in to learn how the EPA's controversial plan to replace engine deratement with warning signals has drawn nearly two hundred submissions spanning industry praise and sharp environmental criticism, while the proposal also includes nonconformance penalties allowing manufacturers to pay fines and continue selling current products. Next, we explore the results of a sweeping series of state enforcement blitzes where inspectors uncovered thousands of safety violations and placed ninety-nine drivers out of service across six states. Texas authorities led with a brutal operation in the Permian Basin that posted a staggering forty-seven point six percent vehicle out-of-service rate, averaging five point five violations per inspection and signaling dramatically heightened enforcement exposure for carriers operating through major freight corridors. Finally, we examine the ocean freight market as trans-Pacific container rates climb to fresh highs on resilient peak-season demand and severe port congestion caused by typhoons hammering Chinese and regional Asian facilities since mid-July. Asia-to-U.S. West Coast spot rates increased to seven thousand six hundred twenty-one dollars per forty-foot unit, while a succession of disruptions at Shanghai and Ningbo has forced carriers to omit port calls and adjust vessel rotations, creating significant capacity constraints supporting freight rates across multiple trade lanes. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is transforming freight operations, but how far can automation go — and what happens when location intelligence, rail networks and energy markets collide? On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Malcolm Harris and Julie Van de Kamp break down the biggest stories and trends shaping transportation and logistics. The show opens with three major headlines: an alleged Texas grain theft ring involving more than 170 loads, a federal crackdown on 110 commercial driver training schools, and the latest developments in Yellow Corp.'s bankruptcy and pension settlements. Then, EAIGLE CEO and founder Amir Hoss joins the show to explain how AI-powered computer vision is automating truck gates and yards. The discussion covers unmanned and paperless facilities, real-time yard visibility, fraud prevention, data accuracy and the path toward fully autonomous yards. HERE Technologies' Bart Coppelmans discusses the next phase of AI in logistics, including spatial reasoning, location intelligence and the importance of connecting planning, execution and analytics. He explains how AI can help fleets make better routing decisions while keeping humans in control of critical decisions. For the weekly rail segment, Trains Magazine editor Bill Stephens and Trinity Rail Chief Commercial Officer Charlie Moore break down the latest rail traffic numbers, railcar demand, intermodal growth, coal shipments, tariffs and steel costs. They also discuss the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, rail service reliability and what could drive railcar demand into 2027. Finally, FreightWaves editor-at-large John Kingston takes a deep dive into surging diesel prices, refinery constraints, Russia-Ukraine disruptions, the Strait of Hormuz and what historically high diesel costs could mean for trucking and the broader economy. Plus, Julie breaks down the latest manufacturing and logistics data, including the August PMI and Logistics Managers' Index, with a look at transportation capacity, utilization, pricing and what the numbers could mean heading into peak season. Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest news, analysis and data covering trucking, freight, logistics, rail and supply chain. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #Logistics #SupplyChain #AI #Rail #Diesel #Freight ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm and Michael kick off September with a jam-packed Wednesday episode celebrating driver appreciation and cutting-edge freight tech Rusty Kirby, VP of Transportation and Logistics at Pilot Flying J, breaks down the 2026 Road Warrior contest featuring a custom Kenworth truck built by the Diesel Brothers plus $50,000 in cash! Rusty also discusses Pilot's elite driver rewards program and the crucial role truck drivers play in everyday life. Nate Veeh, AVP of Business Development at Altitudes, shares surprising vehicle data analyzed across 104 World Cup matches in 16 cities. Learn how post-match exits spike traffic congestion and harsh braking, and why cities like Atlanta and Kansas City had dramatically different traffic outcomes. Sean Dehan, VP of Strategy and Corporate Development at Truckstop, pushes back on the claim that traditional load boards are outdated. He discusses how AI assistants like "Ava" are transforming load matching into an intelligent, contextual marketplace for carriers and brokers Kurtis McBride, CEO of Miovision, explains how their AI platform "Mateo" creates digital twins of intersections to modernize traffic control, reduce citizen response times, and enable real-time traffic 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 with a massive organized crime investigation that has rocked the agricultural sector across Texas. Authorities have linked three men to an alleged theft ring involving one hundred seventy-six grain loads valued at over eight hundred thousand dollars, spanning more than nine million pounds of stolen agricultural product. The inquiry now covers over two hundred confirmed or potentially stolen shipments, with additional arrests remaining possible as investigators unravel this elaborate network. Next, we explore a sweeping federal crackdown on substandard driver training facilities as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy orders the emergency shutdown of one hundred ten commercial driving schools nationwide. These schools collectively certified more than five thousand drivers who were later cited for failing to meet federal English-language proficiency requirements during roadside inspections, raising serious questions about the quality and integrity of commercial driver training across the country. Finally, we cover the winding down of one of trucking's most significant bankruptcies as defunct Yellow Corporation reaches settlement agreements totaling up to five hundred twenty-six million dollars to resolve remaining withdrawal liability claims with four multiemployer pension plans. If approved by the federal bankruptcy court in Delaware, the liquidating trust would finally be able to make distributions to creditors, bringing an end to a legal battle that began when the carrier filed for bankruptcy in August twenty twenty-three. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FreightWaves Today hits the road for a special episode live from ShipStation Global headquarters in Austin, Texas, as Craig Fuller and Zach Strickland break down the latest forces shaping freight, logistics and the broader economy. The show opens with a look at the current freight and economic environment, including rising transportation and warehousing costs, inventory management challenges and the growing gap between truckload and intermodal pricing. Craig and Zach discuss why shippers are becoming more selective with inventory and SKUs, how uncertainty around demand and interest rates is influencing supply chain decisions, and what elevated costs could mean for the remainder of the year. They also dive into the extraordinary investment surrounding AI and data centers. With corporate profits climbing and massive infrastructure projects driving industrial activity, Craig and Zach examine how the AI boom is affecting railroads, construction, manufacturing and blue-collar employment. They also discuss the growing community backlash against hyperscale data centers and why the technology industry's messaging around AI could become an increasingly important part of the conversation. Then, ShipStation Global CEO Tom Madine joins the show to discuss the combination of ShipStation and Worldwide Express and what the newly integrated company is building for shippers. Madine explains how ShipStation Global is bringing together ShipStation's e-commerce shipping technology with Worldwide Express' transportation and freight expertise to create a more unified logistics platform. The goal is to give small and midsized businesses the ability to manage more of their supply chain from a single place instead of jumping between different providers and systems. A major focus is ShipStation's newly launched LTL offering. Madine explains why LTL was one of the most requested additions from ShipStation customers and how integrating freight directly into the platform can simplify inbound inventory movements, middle-mile transportation and other shipping needs that previously required merchants to leave the ShipStation ecosystem. The conversation also explores why transportation decisions can't simply come down to finding the cheapest rate. Service reliability, damage risk, estimated arrival times, carrier selection and the consequences of a failed shipment can all dramatically change what "best" means for an individual shipper. Craig, Zach and Madine discuss how data and intelligence can help businesses make better transportation decisions, particularly for smaller companies that don't have dedicated logistics teams or the resources to constantly monitor freight market cycles. Madine also lays out ShipStation Global's larger vision: bringing parcel, LTL, truckload, final mile and potentially additional transportation modes together into a more unified experience. He explains why simplifying logistics could be especially valuable for entrepreneurs and SMBs already balancing everything from finance and accounting to marketing, inventory and product development. Finally, the conversation turns global. Madine discusses ShipStation's presence across North America, Europe and Australia, the company's hundreds of parcel-carrier API connections and its ambition to become a truly global shipping technology platform. Topics include: • ShipStation Global's new LTL offering • The ShipStation and Worldwide Express combination • Bringing parcel, LTL and truckload together• Freight market cyclicality and SMB shippers • Using data to improve carrier and shipping decisions • Why the lowest freight rate isn't always the best option • Rising transportation and warehousing costs • Inventory management and changing shipper behavior • Truckload versus intermodal economics • AI, data centers and industrial freight demand • Corporate efficiency and the AI investment boom • The growing economic importance of hyperscale data centers • ShipStation Global's international expansion • The future of multimodal shipping technology FreightWaves Today brings together the latest freight market intelligence, transportation news and conversations with the leaders shaping global supply chains. Subscribe to FreightWaves for more interviews, market analysis and breaking news from across trucking, logistics, technology and the global supply chain. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fuel additives. Miracle MPG claims. Injector cleaners. Cheap replacement parts. And, of course, Washington taking its cut before you burn a single gallon. So on this episode of Brake Check, we're asking one question:WHO THE HELL IS EATING YOUR GALLON? First, Jessica Crabtree, Director of Technical Services at Power Service Products, brings the chemistry. We're separating legitimate diesel fuel science from expensive snake oil and digging into fuel economy, diesel additives, injector deposits, fuel contamination, cetane, regens, DPF problems, winter fuel gelling and preventive maintenance. How do you know whether a fuel additive actually works? What should legitimate MPG testing look like? Can injector deposits really hurt fuel economy? What does an unnecessary regen actually cost? And when somebody promises a massive improvement in MPG...WHAT PROOF SHOULD YOU DEMAND BEFORE SPENDING A DOLLAR? Then we follow your diesel dollar straight to Washington.Policy veteran James Edwards of ELITE Strategic Services joins us to break down the massive surface transportation bill moving through Congress, truck parking funding, autonomous trucking policy, the Highway Trust Fund, the 24.4¢ federal diesel tax, potential alternatives to fuel taxes, and who should actually pay for America's roads. Because at today's diesel prices, fractions of a mile per gallon matter. Taxes matter. Downtime matters. And bullshit gets VERY EXPENSIVE. If you're a truck driver, owner-operator, fleet owner, carrier, maintenance professional or trucking executive, watch this before somebody promises to save you money at the pump. At $5.65 a gallon, don't buy miracles. DEMAND RECEIPTS. #Diesel #DieselFuel #Trucking #FuelPrices #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #FuelEconomy #DieselAdditives #TruckingIndustry #HighwayBill Follow the Brake Check Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to WithSONAR! In this episode, we walk through the Intermodal Dashboard and how it brings national and lane-level market intelligence together in one place. With intermodal becoming an increasingly attractive alternative as transportation costs fluctuate, this dashboard makes it easier to understand where the savings are and how market conditions are changing. Access the Intermodal Dashboard Directly Here: https://sonar.surf/intermodal-dashboard You'll learn how to: Compare truckload and intermodal spot and contract rates Monitor domestic and international intermodal volume Track ocean import activity as a leading demand indicator Identify the top lanes with potential intermodal savings Compare lane-level truckload and intermodal rates and trends Use volume and rate data to support smarter transportation decisions

The freight industry is facing a major wave of regulatory, economic and operational changes. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Craig and Julie breaks down the latest developments affecting trucking, freight brokers, autonomous trucks, railroads and cross-border freight. The show opens with the FMCSA crackdown on CDL schools, including the shutdown of hundreds of driving schools over concerns involving English-language proficiency, facilities and instructor qualifications. The discussion examines what tougher barriers to entry could mean for trucking safety, capacity and the broader freight market. The hosts also dive into a major Penske liability case, the future of the independent contractor model and the potential impact of new legal precedents on freight brokers and motor carriers. They discuss the latest movement on the FMCSA freight broker transparency rule, which could require brokers to maintain electronic transaction records and provide them to carriers or shippers upon request. The episode also explores California's autonomous truck regulations, including the state's million-mile testing requirement and a legal challenge from the California Teamsters. With autonomous trucking continuing to advance, the conversation looks at the growing battle over technology, regulation and trucking jobs. Joining the show is Dr. David Correll of Telegraph, who discusses his company's latest six-month freight rail outlook. Harrell shares his forecast for rail carload and intermodal volumes, the potential for coal exports, tank car availability, the impact of energy prices and the massive industrial demand being created by AI data center construction. He also explains why the widening price gap between truckload and intermodal transportation could continue shifting freight from trucks to rail. The team then examines the rapid growth of U.S.-Mexico cross-border freight, with Laredo and other border markets seeing significant increases in transportation activity amid nearshoring and changing global trade patterns. Later, Josh Lovan of J.J. Keller joins the show to discuss carrier vetting, freight broker compliance, safety management and the growing legal risks facing brokers after major nuclear verdicts. Loving outlines what companies should be doing now to create a defensible carrier-vetting process, including reviewing CSA and roadside inspection data, documenting carrier-selection decisions and consistently enforcing safety standards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent on this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? as they dive into the biggest stories shaping the freight, logistics, and supply chain landscape!In this episode, we break down: $400K Cargo Theft Recovery in Arizona: How quick police coordination and cross-department communication led to back-to-back stolen load interceptions on I-40 and I-10. Freight Data Disputes (Motive vs. Highway): A look into the temporary data-sharing friction between Motive and Highway, performance guarantees, and the growing debate over who owns and monetizes carrier data. NHTSA Fuel Efficiency Regulations Update: Analyzing the Trump administration's shift toward regulating complete vehicles over individual components, and what it means for fleet costs and engine efficiency. 2027 Trailer Leasing Market Trends: Ed Benton, SVP of Sales at Premier Trailer Leasing, joins to talk about trailer availability, supply pressure, and how fleets can navigate equipment flexibility heading into 2027. High Schoolers Earning CDLs: Executive Director of Zeta CDL School, Josh Claman, discusses how their program helps high school seniors earn a CDL before graduation to create clear, high-paying career pathways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off in California, where organized labor is aggressively challenging the state's newly implemented autonomous truck framework. The California Teamsters filed suit in Alameda County Superior Court, arguing that the DMV improperly fast-tracked driverless truck testing regulations through an expedited process reserved for minor updates. Despite the legal challenge, the permit queue continues to move forward with Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI already holding drivered testing permits. Meanwhile, two powerful trucking industry groups are sounding the alarm over a recent appellate court decision they say could fundamentally upend the entire carrier liability model. The American Trucking Associations and the Truckload Carriers of America filed a joint amicus brief requesting a full en banc hearing to reconsider a Fifth Circuit ruling that found Penske Logistics liable for a fatal crash involving a double-brokered driver the company knew nothing about. The associations warn that if the precedent stands, the entire trucking industry may have been violating federal leasing regulations for decades. Finally, we cover a long-awaited federal transparency rule for freight brokers that has cleared a critical Washington checkpoint. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sent its broker transparency rulemaking to the White House on August twenty-seventh, marking the first concrete movement since the comment period closed in March twenty twenty-five. The rule would require brokers to maintain transaction records electronically and provide copies to carriers or shippers within forty-eight hours of a request. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Craig Fuller and Matt Leffler on this episode of Freight Expectations as they break down the biggest stories reshaping the freight and logistics industry: A look at the rising tide of organized rail and trucking theft, how Mexico is tackling cargo crime, and where the bipartisan CORCA legislation stands in Congress. Analyzing Chris Spear's early departure from the American Trucking Associations and the long-standing debate surrounding the "driver shortage" narrative. Two tech giants clash over ELD data access and API fees—what this means for small fleets, freight brokers, and load availability. How the AI-driven data center boom is driving industrial freight demand, and why NIMBYism and political battles are heating up. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments! ⁠Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices