FreightCasts

When illness or injury forces a truck driver off the road, the financial fallout can be immediate and devastating. The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund steps in as a vital safety net, offering financial aid for essential needs like rent, insurance, and vehicle payments. Beyond crisis support, they provide crucial wellness programs, from smoking cessation to cancer screenings, helping America's highway heroes stay healthy and on the job.

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Weekly AAR rail traffic numbers are in, showing a continued strong week for rail freight in North America. We dive into the data, examining intermodal and carload volumes, and what these trends signal for the second half of the year. Plus, editor Bill Stephens shares his exclusive experience riding Union Pacific's Big Boy, the world's largest operational steam locomotive, on its historic East Coast tour.

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The Strait of Hormuz has introduced a permanent risk premium into the global oil market, fundamentally altering price dynamics for crude and diesel. Despite some recent drops from March highs, experts like John Kingston warn that supply won't snap back quickly.

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For years, the yard has been a forgotten 'dark spot' in the supply chain — unseen and unoptimized. Now, YMX Logistics is changing the game with its autonomous yard operating system. Combining AI, computer vision, and electrification, they're transforming labor-driven functions into controlled systems, driving millions in value by turning a cost center into a strategic asset

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The freight market is gearing up for a dynamic second half of the year, driven by capacity constraints rather than pure volume increases. Get ready for tighter conditions and potentially higher costs as industrial and retail sectors recover. Craig Fuller breaks down the latest SONAR data, Cass Freight Index, and container flows from China to reveal what's truly shaping the market.

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The Supreme Court’s ruling on broker liability is shaking up the freight industry, putting real-time carrier intelligence in high demand. Freight fraud is evolving beyond physical theft, with sophisticated identity deception costing millions. GenLogs' Danielle Spinelli shares how their data provides critical insight into carrier operations, helping brokers and shippers prevent scams and tighten security.

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Live from FreightWaves' Domestic Supply Chain Summit, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent bring you a special edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? featuring three conversations focused on the future of supply chain operations, freight technology, carrier compliance, and risk management.

First, Tom Hurwitch, Founder and Principal of Basis Solutions, explains why the next evolution of logistics isn't simply exchanging data—it's operationalizing it. Learn how leading shippers are leveraging AI, automation, and integrated supply chain visibility to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and move toward autonomous decision-making.

Next, Andrew Wimer of Descartes joins the show to break do...

In this episode, we kick things off at the nation's busiest container gateway, where frontloading is fueling a massive early peak season surge. The Port of Los Angeles handled over 840,000 TEUs in May, up seventeen percent from a year ago, driven by strong inventory replenishment, concerns about fuel costs, trade-policy uncertainty, and preparation for upcoming retail seasons. Loaded imports surged twenty-six percent year-over-year, rebounding sharply from May 2025 when import traffic was severely undercut by Liberation Day tariffs on China.

Meanwhile, the truckload market's upswing is officially ushering in driver pay hikes across the sector. Joliet-based carrier GP...

The logistics world is seeing average tariff rates jump by 10x! Curtis Spencer of IMS Worldwide breaks down how Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are no longer just a good idea, they're essential for cutting costs and building resilient supply chains. Learn about duty deferral, re-export benefits, and merchandise processing fee caps that can save your business millions.

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The 2026 State of Logistics Report confirms volatility as the new normal, not a cyclical blip. Logistics costs saw an unusual drop this year, driven by a soft freight market and lower ocean rates, marking a supply-driven downturn. Kohran Acar explains the five strategic implications for building supply chain resilience, from prioritizing asset productivity to leveraging AI for enhanced collaboration and automation.

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Are your fleets investing in the wrong AI dashcam technology? Nuclear verdicts and climbing insurance costs mean you can't afford to treat dashcams like commodity hardware. Dr. Stefan Heck, CEO of Nauto, explains the critical difference between reactive and predictive AI, highlighting how advanced systems can prevent collisions and save lives. Learn why accuracy, speed of detection, and real-time driver coaching are crucial for true safety.

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Autonomous trucks are heading to the I-35 corridor between Laredo and Dallas, promising to revolutionize cross-border freight. Andrew Culhane from Torc Robotics discusses how driverless technology can tackle persistent delays at the border and enhance efficiency for the entire supply chain. The strategic importance of this route and the regulatory landscape are paving the way for commercial launch by 2027.

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining a brutal new wave of financial distress hitting the transportation and logistics sector. Over the past ten days, trucking companies, truck dealers, and logistics providers have filed for bankruptcy protection while hundreds of workers faced layoffs nationwide. Notable filings include Laredo-based Triple RRR Carriers, a cross-border trucking company that operated a fleet of 177 power units, and Dallas-area logistics provider Alan Ritchey Inc., which will lay off 232 employees beginning in September.

Next, we shift to the truckload sector where a strategic acquisition is poised to expand growth opportunities across...

In this segment of FreightWaves Today, Alex Guirguis, Co-Founder and CEO of Off The Record, breaks down the severe implications of traffic tickets for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders. Guirguis explains why drivers should treat traffic tickets as legal matters rather than simple bills, detailing the unique and strict penalties that apply specifically to commercial drivers. He also shares how Off The Record is helping drivers protect their livelihoods by simplifying the legal process.

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The freight market is in a regulatory-driven bull cycle unlike any we've seen. Seth Holm, CEO of West Brow Capital, breaks down the shocking truth about trucking capacity, revealing that potentially only a fraction of carriers meet minimum safety requirements.

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QXO CEO Brad Jacobs sees AI and robotics automation as the biggest trend since humanity began, poised to transform the freight and logistics industry. Jacobs outlines his vision for an automated trucking future, the role of technology in M&A, and his playbook for building multi-billion-dollar enterprises. Discover why he believes automation will drive efficiency and precision across the supply chain, from brokerage to warehousing.

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The Supreme Court ruling has fundamentally changed compliance for freight brokers. Highway CEO Jordan Graft breaks down what this means for safety standards, risk management, and combating evolving fraud vectors like impersonation and double brokering.

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The recent Supreme Court decision on broker liability caught many by surprise. Attorney Doug Marcello explains why this unanimous ruling is a game-changer, potentially leading to 'nuclear settlements' and placing freight brokers in the role of "excess insurers" for trucking companies. This means heightened due diligence and compliance are critical now more than ever.

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In this packed Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dive into a fully loaded show breaking down the critical intersections of safety, compliance, and cutting-edge technology in the freight industry . The duo starts with a look at some of the latest headlines making waves across logistics, including a bizarre $1.7 million cargo theft case and a major geopolitical agreement opening up the vital Strait of Hormuz . Turning the focus to risk management, Kameron Sanchez and Samantha Leamon from the Marquee Insurance Group stop by to discuss how carrier expectations are shifting and why taking...

In this episode, we kick things off in Washington, where a renewed push to tax Chinese cargo ships has agricultural shippers warning of catastrophic consequences for U.S. crop exporters. Democratic Senators Mark Kelly and Elizabeth Warren are pressing the Trump administration to reinstate port fees on Chinese vessels, charges that were suspended until November after China applied reciprocal fees. The Agriculture Transportation Coalition warns the proposals threaten the very existence of large segments of U.S. agriculture by denying them the ability to continue exporting.

Next, we head west to examine how the nation's busiest container...

Amazon’s expansion into the LTL market is raising big questions across the transportation industry. In this episode, Craig Fuller, Tom Albrecht, and attorney Matt Leffler examine why Forward Air could be a strategic acquisition target for Amazon and what such a move would mean for carriers, brokers, and shippers.

The conversation explores Forward Air’s unique airport-to-airport network, the controversial Omni Logistics merger, and the legal battles that reshaped one of freight’s most closely watched companies. The panel also breaks down Amazon’s growing logistics ambitions and whether it can successfully build or buy its way into...

Welcome back to a Friday edition of What The Truck?!
Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent kick off the show with their signature banter before diving into some of the biggest stories shaping freight, transportation, and supply chain today.
In this episode:
* Amazon’s latest move into the LTL market and what it could mean for established carriers
* Craig Fuller’s analysis of Amazon’s freight strategy and whether acquisitions like Forward Air make sense
* The Transportation Intermediaries Association’s (TIA) push for FMCSA guidance following the Montgomery case
* How rising liability concerns and insuranc...

In this episode, we kick things off with a massive milestone for autonomous trucking as ⁠Volvo Autonomous Solutions plans to remove safety drivers from its trucks in early 2027⁠ and begin fully driverless operations on U.S. highways. The company currently runs commercial freight daily in Texas with safety drivers aboard, but projects it will have over three hundred autonomous trucks operating by the end of 2027, with industrial scaling beginning in 2028 and revenue approaching three billion dollars within five years.

Over on the rails, ⁠agricultural retailers are raising serious alarm bells about the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern mega-merger⁠ and its...

Fedex Freight spins off, Amazon announces its entry into the LTL carrier space, and Arcbest announces an early GRI. Is this the biggest news month LTL has seen?   

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Everybody says trucking is broken.

Rates are soft. Insurance costs are crushing carriers. Operating expenses keep climbing. Every week another trucking company shuts its doors, another owner-operator parks the truck, and another driver wonders if it's still worth it.

So here's the question:

If trucking is so bad right now, how are some fleets and owner-operators still finding a way to win?

On this episode of Brake Check, Charles Gracey sits down with two trucking leaders attacking that problem from completely different angles.

JR Elrod, President of BAR Transportation...

Thousands of people enter trucking every year looking for a better future. Many are chasing freedom. Some are trying to build wealth. Others are leaving careers they have spent decades building in hopes of creating something of their own.

Some make it. Many don't.

In this episode, Adam sits down with Victor "Bigg Vic" Newton, founder of Bigg Vic TV and one of the most recognized voices in trucking entrepreneurship. Before trucking, Vic spent 28 years as a barber, building relationships, serving customers and mastering a trade. Then he made a decision many people only talk...

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a historic first for American energy exports as federal regulators have approved construction of a five-billion-dollar floating platform to produce liquefied natural gas for export in U.S. waters. The controversial project, led by Delfin Midstream of Houston, will be located forty miles off the coast of Louisiana and is expected to begin production in 2030, with Samsung Heavy Industries constructing the platforms and MOL of Japan also connected to the venture.

Meanwhile, the e-commerce giant's full entry into the less-than-truckload market is sparking fierce debate over whether Amazon...

In Episode 6 of Fraud Watch, Phil Brink sits down with Malcolm Harris, host of What the Truck. The conversation focuses on trust, verification, and the future of freight. Malcolm shares his perspective on how the industry is changing and where transportation may be headed in the years ahead. They discuss the balance between relationships and technology, the impact of fraud on daily operations, and the challenges companies face as the industry evolves. The episode also includes a few thoughts on the NBA Finals and the importance of competition.

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On this episode of What the Truck?!, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down Amazon’s latest logistics moves—from expanding warehouse robotics across Europe to officially entering the less-than-truckload (LTL) market. What does increased automation mean for workers, shippers, and the future of supply chains?

The duo also dives into a growing crackdown on customs fraud, exploring how whistleblowers, tariff enforcement, and the False Claims Act are reshaping international trade. Plus, they unpack rising ocean freight rates, resilient container volumes despite geopolitical disruptions, and what the latest trade data may be signaling for freight markets.

La...

In this episode, we kick things off by examining a massive competitive move that could fundamentally reshape the less-than-truckload landscape. Amazon announced the full expansion of its LTL service to all destinations, rolling out a traditional hub-and-spoke network capable of moving palletized freight anywhere nationwide at lower costs than legacy carriers. The service includes next-day live pickup, same-day drop-trailer options, real-time GPS tracking, and automated appointment scheduling, positioning the e-commerce giant as a serious threat to incumbent trucking companies like FedEx Freight, Old Dominion, and Estes.

Next, we shift over to the autonomous trucking sector, where PepsiCo...

What if trucking's biggest problems aren't being ignored...

What if they're being protected?

On this episode of Brake Check, Charles Gracey sits down with two of the most outspoken voices in trucking to tackle the issues drivers, carriers, and owner-operators are talking about across America.

First, Charles Claburn joins the show. With 30 years behind the wheel, more than 3 million accident-free miles, and decades spent advocating for truck drivers, Claburn shares his unfiltered perspective on retention, training, truck parking, regulations, and why so many trucking companies continue making the same mistakes.

Then...

In this episode, we kick things off with heartbreaking news from the freight analysis community as Donald Broughton, the bowtie-wearing analyst of freight markets, has died suddenly at home on May 30th. Broughton, who founded Broughton Capital in 2017 and was not known to have been ill, had spoken at the Transportation Intermediaries Association's annual meeting in mid-April and appeared on CNBC in mid-May with a bullish freight outlook. His trademark bow tie and intimate knowledge of freight transportation data made him one of the industry's most respected voices for drawing conclusions about the broader economy.

Meanwhile, aggressive...

Welcome back to WithSONAR! In this episode, we’re walking through the latest enhancements to Key Market Insights—making it easier than ever to monitor the markets and modes that matter most to your business. Inside the dashboard, you can: Filter by Van or Reefer and search for specific freight markets Save your most-used markets for quick access Monitor tender rejections and spot market conditions in real time Track whether markets are tightening or loosening with directional insights from WRI Use the new AI Analysis feature for summaries of market shifts, demand drivers, and actionable strategies tailored to your busi...

Welcome to a packed Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosted by Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! In this episode, we dive deep into a multi-state cargo theft operation that recently led to eight indictments in New York after diverting $4.5 million worth of freight—ranging from beef and copper to massive hauls of cigarettes. Michael also shares a frustrating personal story about the disappearing security of airport valet tickets after his $3,000 Martin guitar vanished on a direct flight. On a brighter note, we highlight the Broker Carrier Summit’s exciting launch of the "Veterans in Logistics" initiative in Kansas City...

In this episode, we kick things off on the rails, where a powerful House committee is backing strict scrutiny for the proposed Union Pacific-Southern Pacific merger. The bipartisan House Appropriations Committee added language to the fiscal 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill during markup on June 2nd, urging the Surface Transportation Board to conduct a rigorous review of the $72 billion deal that would create the first all-freight transcontinental railroad. The committee specifically endorsed the STB's revised 2001 merger rules, which require applicants to not only preserve rail-to-rail competition but offer enhanced competitive options for railroad shippers.

Meanwhile...

What does it actually mean to be a "safe" carrier in today's freight market?

In this episode, Craig Fuller sits down with transportation attorney Matt Leffler to discuss the growing legal risks facing brokers, carriers, and shippers as negligent selection lawsuits continue to reshape the industry.

They break down the real-world impact of nuclear verdicts, the legal standards brokers are being held to, and why recent court decisions are forcing transportation companies to rethink carrier vetting, compliance, and risk management.

Whether you're a broker, carrier, shipper, transportation executive, or industry professional, this conversation...

Welcome to a Friday edition of What the Truck, hosted by Malcolm Harris! In this episode, Malcolm is joined by his co-host, Michael "The Dude" Vincent, to break down the latest news shaking up the logistics world and talk to the experts navigating the future of the supply chain.
From the rollout headaches of the FMCSA’s new Modus registration system to a deep dive into how AI is shifting from hype to a full-on survival tool in the nuclear verdict era—we’re covering it all. Plus, we explore how one trucking school is completely redefining what it mea...

In this episode, we kick things off by examining the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's rocky debut of its new Motus registration system. Since launching in mid-May, the platform has sparked widespread industry frustration as ⁠carriers struggle to link their DOT numbers and access critical registration tools⁠. While FMCSA leadership praised the rollout as a major milestone, industry consultants report clients are spending hours on hold with little clarity on when these access issues will be resolved.

Next, we explore a major new initiative designed to combat the freight industry's escalating fraud and cargo theft crisis. The Nati...

The domestic freight market continues to rip despite looming concerns around the economic fallout of the Iranian conflict. Dr. Zac Rogers joins the show to discuss the latest LMI reading.   

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Everyone keeps saying trucking is recovering.

So why are carriers still closing their doors?

Why are drivers still frustrated?

Why do brokers think the sky is falling?

And why does it feel like the people making money in freight are playing a completely different game than everyone else?

On this episode of Brake Check, we're cutting through the noise and exposing what's really happening inside trucking in 2026.

Michael Kroul, CEO of KTI, joins us to discuss freight markets, brokerage, shipper expectations, carrier relationships, technology, automation, and whether...