In this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute, we investigate a major class-action filing aimed at stopping the California DMV from canceling nearly 20,000 commercial driver's licenses due to administrative errors. The Lawsuit Targets California DMV Over Administrative Failures Affecting 20,000 CDL Drivers argues that these cancellations disproportionately affect the Sikh community and pose an immediate risk to the stability of the supply chain. We also break down critical leadership updates in maritime governance, including the Senate confirmation of former Maersk executive Stephen Carmel as the administrator of the Maritime Administration. As the Marad chief, FMC nominee confirmed, these new appointees are set to fill vital gaps in the agencies that regulate U.S. ocean and port logistics. Finally, we discuss the rejection of an ambitious rail initiative after Amtrak turns down the ‘Transcontinental Chief’ proposal, citing a lack of a fundamental business case for the 72-hour transcontinental service. AmeriStarRail now plans to lobby Congress to force negotiations for the drive-aboard train service in hopes of launching by the 2028 Olympics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson sits down with Adam Kahn from Netradyne to explore how the company has evolved over the past decade—and how fleet technology has changed right along with it. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Netradyne reflects on its early days in video telematics and the shift from basic visibility to true, AI-powered context. Adam shares how advancements in edge computing, multi-camera systems, and intelligent alerts are helping fleets move beyond reactive safety programs toward proactive coaching, recognition, and real driver buy-in. The conversation also dives into how fleets are using the platform today—from improving safety and reducing litigation risk to uncovering operational insights around loading, unloading, detention, fuel efficiency, and last-mile challenges. Adam discusses recent partnerships, evolving adoption strategies for driver-facing cameras, and why transparency and flexibility are critical to successful deployments. Looking ahead, the episode explores how generative AI and prompt-based video search are poised to transform fleet operations, allowing managers to ask smarter questions and get faster, more meaningful answers—without changing their entire business model. Whether you’re a fleet operator, safety leader, or technology enthusiast, this episode offers a forward-looking look at where video telematics is headed and how Netradyne is shaping the future of connected fleets. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Daily, we explore the rising cost of rigidity as new regulations and market shifts challenge supply chain agility. We analyze how the FRA caps non-English rail crews at 10-mile border zone to create cross-border capacity bottlenecks and discuss New legislation could upend truck broker margins by imposing steep surcharges on carriers with safety violations. Shippers face a difficult balancing act as Inventory management strategy shifts once again toward leaner models, potentially risking stockouts if demand spikes in 2026. Meanwhile, ocean carriers are adopting split strategies, with significant Ocean rates as the New Year promises a good ‘blanking’ for US East Coast, driving up rates while West Coast capacity expands. In the equipment sector, REPOWR’s data shows it cost more in ‘25 for a short-term dry van rental despite a weak market, driven largely by tighter network security efforts. Finally, we look at the Canada Post, mail carriers tentatively agree on labor deal, which secures weekend delivery but locks in operational rigidity by rejecting dynamic routing. We also briefly touch on the STB asks comments on ‘completeness’ of rail merger application as regulators review the 7,000-page document regarding the UP-NS deal. This regulatory scrutiny adds another layer of complexity to an industry already grappling with rapid structural changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every December, thousands of volunteers and hundreds of truck drivers move in unison for one mission: remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom. In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Courtney George, Director of Transportation and Industry Relations for Wreaths Across America, to explore the heart of a program that relies on the trucking community to carry more than just freight — they carry legacy, gratitude, and remembrance. Courtney shares how Wreaths Across America mobilizes drivers, carriers, communities, and families across the country to ensure veterans are honored with dignity. We talk about the emotional impact on drivers, the logistics behind such a massive mission, and why goodwill still matters in a world that feels divided and distracted. This one’s bigger than trucking — it’s about purpose. Follow The Long Haul Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss how Canada Post, mail carriers tentatively agree on a labor deal after a difficult period involving strikes and work slowdowns. The proposed five-year contract includes wage increases and the introduction of weekend parcel delivery, though it excludes the corporation's demands for dynamic routing and load leveling. We also examine why new legislation could upend truck broker margins by imposing a 10% surcharge on contracts involving carriers with multiple safety violations. This bill aims to hold brokers directly accountable for carrier safety, a shift that could challenge smaller brokers with data-intensive tracking requirements regarding violation histories. Finally, we look at the announcement that Stord to double e-commerce fulfillment capacity in Kentucky through a $40 million investment in a new facility and advanced automation. This expansion complements the company's recent acquisition of Penny Black, a software solution designed to personalize the post-purchase customer experience through custom packaging inserts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to #WithSONAR! This week, we’re diving into Custom Dashboards and showing you how to tailor SONAR pages specifically to your network. In this session, you’ll learn how to: • Access and share custom dashboards in SONAR • Create dashboards from scratch or use the Dashboard Wizard • Build and customize Chart Widgets to analyze volume, capacity, seasonality, and market trends • Drill datasets down by market, equipment type, and lane • Use Map Widgets to visualize capacity and volume across markets, regions, or states We’ll also walk through recent map enhancements, including easier dataset selection, custom market overlays, and AI-generated summaries that provide actionable insights tailored to your role. Custom dashboards are available with all Enterprise SONAR logins, giving you the flexibility to monitor the markets that matter most to your business. 📩 Have questions? Reach out to cs@gosonar.com or your Account Manager. 💡 Subscribe for more quick SONAR insights every week! #freight #freighttech #gosonar #sonar #softwareasaservice #logistics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final What The Truck?!? episode of 2025, Malcolm Harris sits down with one of the most genuine voices at the intersection of trucking, music, and hustle, Devin Tribble, known to fans as 2Hott.This isn’t just a conversation about freight or hip-hop. It’s a real, unfiltered story about survival, faith, discipline, and how earning a CDL became an escape route from the streets and a foundation for building something bigger.2Hott opens up about his rise as an independent artist, the inspiration behind “Trucker Anthem,” balancing life over the road with life in the studio, and why consistency matters more than clout. From breakdowns and long nights behind the wheel to viral moments and personal loss, this episode captures what it really means to grind and keep going.Whether you’re a driver, an entrepreneur, an artist, or someone looking for a way forward, this episode delivers perspective you won’t forget.Special thanks to Descartes MacroPoint for supporting What The Truck?!? and helping keep freight visible, connected, and moving. Listen in and close out 2025 with one of the most authentic conversations of the year. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor⁠ ⁠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 the Daily from FreightWaves, we dive into the escalating risks facing global logistics, starting with a $200K cargo theft that exposes growing fraud schemes in trucking industry and highlights the sophisticated digital deception threatening shippers. Impersonators posing as a global engineering firm used fake paperwork to steal merchandise from a small business, underscoring a reported 29% spike in cargo theft incidents. We also analyze the historic UP, NS: Merger will create 10,000 single-line service lanes, shift 105k truckloads to rail, a strategic move designed to reverse a decade-long decline in rail market share. This massive consolidation targets "watershed markets" and aims to reduce transit times by up to 70 hours on key routes by eliminating costly interchanges. In regulatory news, the New York City bill that targeted Amazon won’t get taken up in 2025, avoiding a potential legal battle over interstate commerce despite having supermajority support in the City Council. Meanwhile, infrastructure concerns take center stage after over-sized cargo strikes six Oklahoma overpasses, forcing closures and prompting an emergency declaration for expensive repairs along the Will Rogers Turnpike. Legal scrutiny intensifies as a judge denies summary judgment in deaf driver applicant’s rejection, allowing a discrimination suit against Wilson Logistics to proceed to trial. On the global front, the Federal Maritime Commission is escalating a dispute as the US weighs sanctions as Spanish port ban escalates over denied docking access for U.S.-flagged vessels bound for Israel. Finally, we discuss the critical distinction highlighted in The Difference Between a Truck Owner and a Business Owner in Trucking, emphasizing how intentional systems—not just hustle—are essential for survival. This episode challenges listeners to consider whether they are building a fragile operation dependent on personal effort or a durable business asset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BNSF CEO: Rail merger still a “significant threat” to economy, consumers covers the intensifying opposition to the proposed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger, as rival BNSF warns of potential service failures and higher rates. CEO Katie Farmer argues that the deal fails to meet regulatory requirements and offers public benefits that could otherwise be achieved through simple collaboration. We also analyze the "Chart of the Week" in Inventory management strategy shifts once again, which highlights a move toward leaner inventories after periods of over-ordering and destocking. This strategy increases the value of agile transportation services but carries the risk of missed revenue opportunities if demand suddenly spikes. Finally, we look at a discrimination lawsuit in Judge denies summary judgment in deaf driver applicant’s rejection, where a federal judge ruled that a case against Wilson Logistics will proceed to trial or settlement. The suit alleges the company illegally refused to hire a qualified deaf driver who held a valid federal hearing exemption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into what it takes and why it’s important to upgrade your fleet in the offseason. Our guests, Travis Ross Sr. Sales Engineer and Megan Bafford Market Development Lead at EROAD break down the how behind the why of upgrading fleets and what it can do for long-term successful partnerships.  Winter downtime is your fleet’s opportunity to transform. Tune in to Running on Ice as we explore EROAD’s cold chain solutions and telematics-driven SOP optimization for next year’s success. ⁠Smarter Cold Chain Monitoring | EROAD USA⁠ For more information, subscribe to ⁠Running on Ice the newsletter⁠ or podcast. ⁠Follow the Running on Ice Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris breaks down the biggest stories shaping freight as we head toward the end of 2025. Malcolm covers major industry headlines including the pending Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger, long-term investment at the Port of New York and New Jersey, consolidation in auto transport logistics, and a high-profile cargo theft case that underscores ongoing risk across the supply chain. The show features an in-depth conversation with Valentina Jordan, CEO and co-founder of Nauta, and Rafa Santiago, COO and co-founder, as they unveil Nauta’s AI-powered inventory optimization engine. They explain how SKU-level visibility, harmonized data, and agentic AI workflows are helping shippers reduce stockouts, improve fill rates, and create more predictable freight flows that benefit truckers, 3PLs, and brokers alike. The discussion explores real-world customer wins, faster time to value, and how better inventory planning leads to smoother routes, consistent loads, and stronger revenue across the network. Later in the episode, Malcolm is joined in studio by Virind Gujral, CEO and founder of EV Bots. Virind shares his journey from fleet operations to building autonomous robotic solutions for EV fleet charging. He explains how EV Bots is tackling one of the biggest barriers to electric fleet adoption by eliminating driver downtime, optimizing charging costs, and automating vehicle inspections and maintenance checks. The conversation dives into Chattanooga’s growing innovation ecosystem, pilot deployments, and what the future holds for electric fleets and logistics automation. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your freight being run by the Sinaloa cartel? In this high-voltage second episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller and Matt Leffler explore why cargo theft has exploded into a $30 billion industry - making it a larger “mode” of traffic than the entire U.S. barge market. The hosts go scorched-earth on the “driver shortage” propaganda, explain why local police won’t help you find your stolen TVs, and break down why the CORCA act might be the only thing standing between your load and a criminal syndicate. Plus, find out why Craig is an “enemy of the state” to industry insiders and why Matt is obsessed with the dwarf planet Ceres. It’s unscripted, unfiltered, and potentially the most dangerous hour in freight media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of FreightWaves Daily, we analyze why the freight market has shifted into panic mode with rejection rates doubling and spot rates climbing significantly. We break down the perfect storm of weather, holiday demand, and regulatory crackdowns that are rapidly removing carrier capacity from the road. We then turn to the escalating constitutional showdown in California, where the state plans to reissue 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs despite federal warnings. The FMCSA has threatened to withhold highway funding or even decertify the state's entire commercial licensing program if officials proceed with the plan. In rail news, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have filed a historic application to create America's first transcontinental railroad, uniting western and eastern networks. This massive merger aims to convert interline lanes to single-line service, potentially shifting millions of truckloads off the highway and onto the tracks. The U.S. Postal Service is making a desperate pivot by opening its last-mile network to retailers and logistics companies in a bid to stave off insolvency. This strategy allows shippers to bid on volume and pricing for same-day or next-day delivery using the USPS infrastructure. Facing a 1,500% surge in organized crime, industry leaders are pressuring lawmakers to pass legislation that federalizes the fight against cargo theft. The proposed bill would lower the threshold for federal intervention and create a coordination center to track transnational criminal rings. Finally, we cover Maersk’s recent test transit through the Red Sea and RPM Freight’s strategic acquisition to enter the luxury vehicle transport market. Volatility is baked into the 2026 landscape, so tune in to understand how these shifts impact your supply chain planning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have officially submitted their nearly 7,000-page application to the Surface Transportation Board to create the nation's first Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern file historic rail merger application. If the merger meets regulatory approval, the companies anticipate the deal will be finalized and the new network operational by early 2027. In an effort to restore financial viability, the United States Postal Service is opening its US Postal Services wants retailers to compete for last-mile delivery network to retailers and logistics companies willing to bid for the service. Postmaster General David Steiner's new strategy will begin accepting bids early next year, with service potentially launching in the third quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, DHL Global Forwarding has committed $1.5 million to expand DHL drops $1.5 million to expand cold storage at LAX capabilities near Los Angeles International Airport. This investment targets the growing demand from pharmaceutical and life sciences shippers while strengthening Los Angeles' role as a critical gateway for temperature-sensitive cargo. Stay tuned to FreightWaves TV for new episodes of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Freight Expectations, and Running on Ice later this afternoon. Listen now for a concise summary of today’s top logistics stories before heading into the new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join FreightWaves for our December State of Freight webinar as we wrap up a volatile year and project the key drivers for the transportation market in 2026. Hosted by Julia Becker, VP of Media Operations, this session features deep-dive analysis from strategic experts Zach Strickland (Head of Freight Market Intelligence) and JP Hampstead (Strategic Analyst). The team explores the surprising "peakiness" of the 2025 holiday season and examines why traditional market cycles are shifting. Using real-time data from the SONAR platform, this webinar breaks down the core metrics every shipper, carrier, and broker needs to understand to navigate the year ahead. Key Discussion Points Tender Rejections & Spot Rates: Why rejection rates surged to 11.9% and the implications of the sharp trajectory in spot market pricing. Inventory Shifts: The transition from "just-in-case" to "just-in-time" inventory strategies and how lean management is increasing freight velocity. Capacity Volatility: An analysis of the continued exit of small and mid-sized carriers and the regulatory pressures—including English language proficiency enforcement—impacting driver availability. Economic Tailwinds & Headwinds: The impact of recent Fed rate cuts, unemployment figures, and the looming review of the USMCA trade agreement on flatbed and dry van demand. The Rise of Short-Haul: A look at the 11% growth in local fulfillment freight and what it reveals about consumer buying patterns. AI in Logistics: Where mid-sized fleets should focus their tech investments, from route optimization to back-office automation. ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens if Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merge into a true transcontinental railroad? On this episode of Bring It Home, JP Hampstead sits down with SONAR’s Mike Baudendistel to unpack why shareholders overwhelmingly support the merger, why some shipper groups are opposed, and the impact it could have on U.S. and North American reindustrialization. ⁠Follow the Bring It Home Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Daily, we explore the historic downturn in the trucking market where compliant carriers are struggling against rates that have fallen well below operating costs. We examine claims that labor arbitrage and CDL fraud are tilting the playing field by allowing non-compliant fleets to undercut the market. We also investigate a potential regulatory ticking time bomb as the administration considers rescheduling marijuana, a move that could inadvertently strip the DOT of its authority to test drivers. With marijuana accounting for nearly 60% of positive drug tests, the industry is urgently pushing for a safety carve-out to prevent liability risks. Global operations are facing their own chaos, illustrated by FedEx struggling to manage pilot accommodations after grounding its MD-11 fleet during peak season. On the ocean side, carriers like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are dropping Baltimore from key services, citing the risks associated with the long transit up the Chesapeake Bay. Geopolitical tensions are also rising as a massive sale of global port assets has stalled because China is demanding a controlling interest in Panama Canal facilities. This move highlights the growing struggle for control over critical trade choke points in the global supply chain. Finally, we look at how technology is stepping in to help fleets build resilience, from Nirvana Insurance raising $100M to create an AI-driven operating system for risk management. We also discuss a new partnership between OTR Solutions and SONAR that embeds real-time rate intelligence directly into carrier workflows to help them negotiate with confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute breaks down how OTR Solutions partners with SONAR to bring data-driven rate intelligence directly to carriers. The integration empowers fleets to benchmark their performance against market conditions and negotiate with greater confidence. In the M&A sector, the podcast highlights that RPM Freight acquires Dealers Choice Auto Transport to expand its finished vehicle logistics capabilities. This strategic move adds white-glove service for luxury vehicles to RPM's network while opening new OEM opportunities for Dealers Choice. Finally, the briefing examines the legislative landscape as trucking, retail pressure lawmakers to pass anti-theft bill amid a surge in sophisticated cargo theft. Industry leaders argue that a unified federal response is essential to tackle the complex, transnational criminal networks targeting the supply chain today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you’re running a small fleet, a single breakdown can crush your margins and throw your week off track. In this episode of The Long Haul, we sit down with Tyler Robertson, founder and CEO of Diesel Laptops, to talk about why every small carrier needs diagnostic tools in their own hands—not locked behind a shop’s schedule or inflated repair fees. We dig into: What makes Diesel Laptops different from other diagnostic tools How owner-ops and small fleets can cut downtime, negotiate smarter, and stay in control Real-world examples of small carriers using diagnostics to protect their bottom line Why shops and dealers don’t want you to have this tech (but you should anyway) If you’ve ever been stranded with a blinking check engine light and no answers, this is the episode that might just save you thousands. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to WHAT THE TRUCK?!?. Host Malcolm Harris returns for a year-end episode packed with critical insights on freight fraud, cargo theft, trucking finance, and what the industry needs to watch heading into 2026. This episode features four powerhouse guests tackling the biggest risks and opportunities facing trucking and logistics today: DZ Patterson, Director of Investigative Services at Travelers, breaks down the realities of modern cargo theft, including strategic theft, GPS spoofing, fake breakdown scams, and how shippers, brokers, and carriers can harden their supply chains through better communication, layered security, and smarter verification. Andrey Chabanov and Trevor Hoffman from Wellspring introduce a high-yield savings platform built specifically for truck drivers and working Americans. Drawing from real-world trucking experience, they explain how drivers can protect their cash from inflation, improve liquidity, and build smarter emergency and business savings without lockups or minimums. Dale Prax, Strategic Fraud Advisor at Truckstop and Founder of FreightValidate, delivers a deep dive into freight fraud, carrier identity verification, FMCSA enforcement, and the real-world scams impacting brokers and owner-operators. He outlines where fraud is headed next, why collaboration and transparency matter, and what practical steps carriers can take today to protect themselves. The episode also covers key industry headlines, including supply chain reform efforts in Washington, ongoing layoffs impacting freight demand, and why cash discipline and operational efficiency remain critical in the current market. If you’re a driver, broker, shipper, or logistics professional, this is a must-watch conversation to close out the year informed and prepared for what’s next. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices