FreightCasts

Brake Check Live, we break down three developments every carrier should be watching closely. FMCSA has issued mandatory directives surrounding non-domiciled CDLs ... a move designed to restore licensing integrity, but one that could reshape compliance exposure overnight. At the same time, the insurance market continues to reveal cracks in what was once considered trucking’s last failsafe. Are carriers being judged by performance ... or by association? And finally, federal authorities have launched a multi-state sting targeting sham CDL training operations. If training has been scaled without accountability, what does that mean for sustainable safety? Joining the panel: Rob Carpenter Brandon Wiseman Truck Safe Consulting This is not a recap of headlines. This is a drivers lived experience, carrier-focused breakdown of risk, liability, and operational consequences. Brake Check is the industry wake-up call. ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to today's episode of our logistics podcast, where we first discuss how AscendTMS has entered the mergers and acquisitions space with its recent purchase of LoadPilot. InMotion Global's chief executive noted that LoadPilot's operations will soon halt as its loyal user base migrates to the newly acquired system. Next, we explore the implications of new federal guidance from the Department of Transportation regarding commercial truck parking. States must now comprehensively assess their parking capacity in their multimodal freight plans or risk losing vital National Highway Freight Program funding. Finally, we break down the financial troubles brewing for a major truck sales and service provider after Velocity Vehicles saw its debt rating downgraded for the second time in recent months. Both Moody's and S&P Global Ratings cited the company's high debt-to-earnings ratio and a soft truck market as primary reasons for these financial cuts. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down a volatile week in global logistics where political shifts and cartel violence are fundamentally redrawing the map of North American trade. The discussion centers on the "green gold" wars at the border, exploring a high-stakes reality where cross-border freight has shifted from a capacity challenge to a survival mission. Following the killing of a major cartel boss, violence along U.S.-Mexico freight corridors has surged, prompting shelter-in-place orders for U.S. citizens and a spike in cargo theft. Adding to the complexity, the hosts analyze the economic ripples of President Trump’s new 10% global tariff, implemented in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that blocked emergency trade powers. Shifting focus from the border to the facility, Justin Malone, Director of Field Safety at The Miner Corporation, joins the show to highlight why the loading dock—rather than the open highway—is often the most dangerous part of an operation. Malone breaks down the "handoff" moment where communication between drivers and facilities frequently fails, leading to life-threatening risks. He dives deep into the phenomenon of "trailer creep," explaining why this silent killer occurs and how basic safety tools like wheel chocks and dock locks are often dangerously ignored or misused. The conversation then turns toward the financial core of logistics technology with Matthew Everson, SVP of Sales & Marketing at IntelliTrans. Everson challenges the industry’s current obsession with visibility, arguing that tracking dashboards can become "money pits" if they aren't balanced against carrier economics. He asserts that the true financial center of gravity for shippers lies in carrier performance and selection, focusing on the specific KPIs that actually drive profitability. Amidst this tech-heavy discussion, Everson also notes Nashville’s rise as a critical emerging hub for both logistics and technology. The episode rounds out with a look at major industry headlines, starting with a judge’s approval of $150,000 UPS driver buyouts. The hosts debate whether this move signals a strategic labor reset or serves as a warning sign for the broader industry. Finally, the team covers the immediate logistical impact of a massive winter blizzard that has ground container terminals to a halt at major Northeast ports, adding further strain to an already pressured supply chain. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Freight Expectations, FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller and “The Armchair Attorney” Matthew Leffler dive into a historic day for the American supply chain. Following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling to overturn the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPA) for revenue generation, the duo analyzes the immediate legal and economic fallout for the trucking and shipping industries.From the potential for a massive West Coast import surge to the tactical shift toward Section 122 tariffs, Craig and Matt break down how this ruling creates a new “Black Swan” catalyst for freight demand. They also tackle the rising tide of ICE enforcement at truck stops, the legal complexities of abandoned cargo, and why the industry is finally embracing new, authentic voices over traditional associations. Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to WithSONAR! In this episode we're breaking down the key freight market indicators you should be watching to confidently back your pricing and bid decisions. SONAR Page: https://sonar.surf/sharepage/351f3340-e6d7-4f2c-a4a0-aa086ed14c0f As we move deeper into bid season, understanding both demand and capacity signals is critical. In this webinar, we cover: 📦 IOTI (Import Ocean TEU Index) – The earliest signal of inbound demand into the U.S. 🚛 Truckload Volume Trends – How national freight demand is tracking YoY 📉 Tender Rejections (OTRI) – What carrier sentiment says about capacity tightness 💵 Spot vs. Contract Rates – Why rate convergence matters right now Whether you’re preparing for RFP season, evaluating new freight opportunities, or defending contract increases, this episode shows you how to turn SONAR’s market data into actionable pricing strategy. 📩 Have questions? Reach out to cs@gosonar.com or your Account Manager. 💡 Subscribe for more quick SONAR insights! #freighttech #freighttech #gosonar #sonar #softwareasaservice #logistics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court has issued a major ruling limiting the president's emergency tariff powers, which is poised to reshape the global trade outlook. This decision introduces new predictability for businesses, though shippers must still monitor supply chain costs and ongoing legal uncertainties. In Mexico, the recent killing of a cartel leader has sparked violent retaliation that is jolting U.S.-Mexico freight corridors and rattling the critical Port of Manzanillo. Businesses relying on these routes are currently bracing for severe delays and heightened security risks for their commercial shipments. Looking ahead, analysts predict that ongoing capacity attrition will lead to a turning point for truckload carriers in 2026 as they begin to command stronger rates. Consequently, shippers should prepare for a challenging bid season with increased pricing pressure and significantly less negotiating leverage. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Friday! On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris dives into the heavy-hitting topics that every fleet leader, broker, and driver needs to hear. Broadcasting live on February 20, 2026, this episode is packed with critical insights to help you understand the latest risks, tools, and strategies for keeping your fleet safe, compliant, and profitable. In this packed episode, Cross-Border Expert Noi Mahoney joins the show to break down the massive news regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential tariff powers, discussing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and what this means for the 2026 trade outlook and cross-border freight flows. Next, Martin Murtland, Vice President of Product at Fleetworthy, introduces Toll360—an AI-driven toll intelligence platform. He explains how fleets are quietly losing money to toll leaks, why tolling is more than just a compliance headache, and how predicting costs can drive serious operational efficiency. Finally, Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President at OOIDA, tackles one of the biggest safety and regulatory issues in trucking today: chameleon carriers. Lewie walks us through how these carriers evade enforcement, the systemic risks highlighted by the recent Indiana crash, and the congressional actions proposed to stop these networks for good. ⁠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

As volatility continues into early 2026, Craig Fuller, CEO and founder of FreightWaves and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR break down what’s changing, what’s staying stubbornly uncertain, and what it all means for shippers, carriers, and brokers planning ahead. In this month's State of Freight webinar, presented by Fleet Owl, we’ll cover: Winter weather’s influence on transportation markets and how disruption impacts rates, capacity, and service Has the freight market flipped? Key indicators that may signal a shift in momentum Bullish or bearish? What current freight trends suggest about the broader economy Whether you're tracking spot rates, contract shifts, or macro signals, this session will provide a clear snapshot of where the market stands and where it may be headed next. ⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chameleon carriers.Shut down one DOT number.Open another.Same trucks. Same players. New identity.In this episode of Brake Check, we expose how some carriers are exploiting loopholes to dodge accountability  and how that behavior impacts insurance rates, broker trust, and the reputation of every honest operator on the road.We break down:• What a “chameleon carrier” really is• How DOT number resets happen• The safety and insurance consequences• Why compliant small carriers pay the price• What enforcement agencies are doing about it• How brokers and technology platforms are fighting backFeaturing conversations with:• Lewie Pugh, EVP of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association • Dan Lindsey from the Broker Carrier SummitThis isn’t about attacking small carriers.It’s about protecting honest ones.Because a new DOT number should not be a reset button.If you run clean, this conversation matters to you.#Trucking #FreightNews #DOT #CarrierCompliance #BrokerCarrier #SupplyChain #BrakeCheck Follow the Brake Check Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aftertreatment failures don’t usually show up as one big catastrophic bill — they show up as downtime, repeat derates, misdiagnosed parts, and decisions made under financial stress. In this episode of The Long Haul Podcast, I sit down with RJ Bordner to break down the real-world economics of aftertreatment from the perspective small carriers actually live with. We talk about post-warranty realities, OEM versus aftermarket tradeoffs, inventory delays, technician variability, and why “good enough” often ends up being the most expensive choice. This is not a product conversation.This is a decision-quality conversation for owner-operators and small fleets trying to stay moving in a market where every parked truck hurts. ⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices