Welcome to another episode of What the Truck?! with host Malcolm Harris coming to you remotely from sunny Florida as we head into Thanksgiving weekend! Today’s double-header is packed with breaking news, powerful storytelling, and industry insights you don’t want to miss.
First, FreightWaves insider and investigative journalist Noi Mahoney joins the show to break down some of the biggest headlines in freight:
Major rail merger concerns at BNSF
The halted PFG–US Foods mega-merger
A shocking roundup of recent drug-smuggling busts involving auto parts, produce, and more
How innocent drivers and carriers can get caught in the crossfire
Hotspot border crossings, inspection gaps, and what the next 12–24 months may look like
12,000+ layoffs hitting automotive, food, manufacturing & logistics—and which regions are impacted the most
Noi shares what investigators are seeing on the ground, how smugglers hide contraband in freight, and what every carrier, shipper, and driver should know to protect their operation.
Then we bring you one of the most inspiring stories in trucking this year.
Meet Stacy Batiste—Marine Corps veteran, community role model, 5-million-mile safe driver, and the official 2025 Pilot Road Warrior Champion.
Stacy sits down with Malcolm to talk about:
The moment he was surprised by the Diesel Brothers with a custom-built Kenworth
Winning $50,000 in cash
34+ years on the road with zero accidents
How his Marine training shaped his career
The role his family and community play in his success
His advice for rookie drivers and seasoned veterans
Why he’s “riding till I die—I’ve got diesel in my veins”
This is one of the most heartfelt and motivating conversations we’ve ever had on the show.
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The Daily | November 26, 2025
Welcome to the daily market update focusing on critical friction points that are reshaping the supply chain. We examine the accelerated federal crackdown, including Border Patrol turning back two Mexican truckers in Arizona, and how tech firms like Highway are responding with new broker screening features for non-domiciled CDL drivers.
While new compliance technology risks reducing available trucking capacity, potentially pushing spot market freight rates up, the industry is simultaneously enduring a massive labor contraction across the entire sector. Over 11,900 workers were laid off in five weeks due to diverse factors like slower electric vehicle adoption at General Motors and a national cattle shortage leading to major plant closures at Tyson Foods.
On the international front, Maersk has denied setting any fixed timeline for a Red Sea return, stating safety remains their top priority, which ensures continued reliance on longer, more expensive shipping routes around Africa. Amidst these challenges, the industry is responding with data-driven initiatives like the FMCSA to poll 'several thousand' drivers on truck parking and groundbreaking rail decarbonization using a new deal to take carbon out of the LA-Long Beach harbor railroad.
Mentioned Articles:
Border Patrol turns back two Mexican truckers in Arizona
Highway’s new feature allows brokers to screen carriers with non-domiciled CDL drivers
Layoffs slam transport, logistics, manufacturing sectors ahead of the holidays
Maersk: No timeline for Red Sea return
FMCSA to poll 'several thousand' drivers on truck parking
New deal to take carbon out of LA-Long Beach harbor railroad
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Morning Minute | November 26, 2025
We start with major security vulnerabilities, as authorities in the U.S. and Canada are intercepting millions in narcotics cleverly hidden within legitimate shipments, including a $16 million meth bust found in plaster vases. Tune in to hear more about these enforcement actions, where drugs have been concealed in commodities ranging from auto parts and berries to lettuce.
The conversation then shifts to the back office, where new technology is being utilized to fight freight fraud and enhance compliance. We discuss Highway’s new, optional feature that allows brokers to screen out carriers based on whether the primary account owner holds a non-domiciled CDL, a major red flag for liability and fraud concerns. This compliance effort is a direct response to increased insurer scrutiny and regulatory pressure surrounding non-domiciled licenses.
Finally, we issue a critical warning concerning the Thanksgiving holiday period, as Verisk CargoNet has put out a massive cargo theft alert. Organized criminal networks are expected to cause a 65% increase in theft incidents compared to last year, primarily targeting food and beverage shipments. Vigilance, advanced security measures, and the right technology are absolutely essential for supply chain planning this quarter.
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The State of Freight: Navigating Trade & Implications of Government Shutdown
Freight has faced turbulence from every direction: trade tensions, shifting regulations, and a government shutdown.
Join JP Hampstead, Strategic Analyst at FreightWaves, and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR for this month's State of Freight, presented by Triumph, as they discuss:
- How the capacity crunch is impacting the market for holiday shipping
- The latest tariff rulings and their effect on global trade
- How the government shutdown influenced freight demand
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The Daily | November 25, 2025
We explore why BNSF Railway opposes the proposed UP-NS mega-merger, arguing it would eliminate competitive options for shippers and fail the strict Surface Transportation Board standard requiring mergers to actively enhance competition.
The air freight sector faces an immediate capacity crisis due to two simultaneous events hitting just before peak season. Learn how the extended grounding of MD-11 freighters—following the discovery of fatigue cracks after a fatal UPS crash—has led to indefinite pilot furloughs at Western Global Airlines, while a BP pipeline leak near Everett, Washington, forced United Airlines to place a temporary embargo on most narrowbody cargo shipments at Sea-Tac airport.
Financial pressure continues in the trucking sector, exemplified by the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of P. Judge & Sons, a legacy firm whose high vehicle out-of-service rate (46.2%) stood out as significantly worse than the national average. Conversely, bipartisan regulatory relief may be coming for drivers in cold climates through the "Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act of 2025," which aims to prevent automatic engine shutdowns in extreme cold (below 12° F) by requiring the EPA to authorize the suspension of derate functions.
Finally, we examine the intense cross-border risk in Mexico, where massive highway blockades across more than 20 states are snarling major corridors, causing anticipated transit and customs delays. These widespread protests, driven by truckers demanding action against rampant cargo theft and police extortion, underscore the critical necessity for supply chain professionals to diversify planning and build resilience against simultaneous regulatory, financial, and physical threats across all transportation modes.
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