FreightCasts

A severe bomb cyclone is targeting the East Coast, threatening to freeze supply chains just days after a similar crisis left trucks stranded in Louisiana. Drivers and fleets are urged to prioritize safety and understand their rights regarding coercion as winter weather intensifies along critical corridors like I-95.

While the physical world battles ice, Wall Street celebrates C.H. Robinson's surging stock price following reports of impressive profit margins. The company credits its "lean AI" strategy for decoupling volume growth from headcount, signaling a fundamental shift in how brokerages manage efficiency.

The autonomous sector also sees massive investment as Waabi secures $750 million to expand its "physical AI" technology for both trucking and robotaxis. This funding round supports a major partnership with Uber to deploy thousands of autonomous vehicles, aiming for commercialization by 2027.

In the courts, major business groups are backing freight brokers in a Supreme Court case that could redefine liability for trucking accidents. Proponents argue that federal law should shield brokers from state-level negligent hiring claims to prevent a costly patchwork of regulations.

On the legislative front, a new bill offers a lifeline for heavy-duty towing operators by addressing restrictive length regulations during recovery operations. The proposed Towing Safety Act aims to clear accident scenes faster and improve roadside safety for first responders.

Legal troubles continue for the R&R Family of Companies as new lawsuits allege the firm continued operations and accumulated debt while insolvent. Meanwhile, legacy carrier Schneider prepares for a leadership transition with Jim Filter set to take the helm as CEO this summer.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Small carriers already know why this market hurts — rates are tight, fuel moves fast, and freight isn’t forgiving mistakes. What most don’t fully understand is how small daily decisions quietly compound into big financial outcomes.

In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Mike Hosted, VP of Sales and Marketing at ATBS, who has spent more than a decade working directly with owner-operators on one thing most avoid: the numbers behind their decisions.

This is not a tax episode.

This is not a fuel episode.

This is a behavior and discipline episode.

We talk about why turnover keeps getting mislabeled as a “driver shortage,” why “taking one more load” often hurts more than it helps, and why the grass is rarely greener — it’s just measured differently.

If you’re trying to survive — or even grow — in a down market, this conversation is about how people are doing it, not selling you anything.

⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠

⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute for January 29, 2026, we look at how logistics providers are adapting to market volatility with creative new trade lanes. DHL Global Forwarding has introduced a hybrid truck-air service that relays goods from China through Uzbekistan to Istanbul, offering a faster alternative to ocean freight for bulky shipments.

In carrier news, a trucking giant is preparing for a major change at the top as Schneider announces a leadership transition scheduled for this July. Longtime executive and Marine Corps veteran Jim Filter will succeed Mark Rourke as CEO to guide the company through the evolving freight landscape.

Finally, Tesla is highlighting progress on its Semi truck even as the company faces a sharp decline in overall profitability for the year. Executives confirmed that tooling is now in place in Nevada to begin the mass production ramp of the electric class 8 vehicle in early 2026.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm welcomes Ike Stephens, founder of Bonehead Truckers, for a no-holds-barred conversation on the state of trucking in 2026. From breaking down major freight and supply chain headlines to tackling controversial issues like driver shortages, training standards, safety, and industry accountability, this episode pulls no punches. Ike shares how he built one of trucking’s most influential platforms, why professionalism matters, and where he believes the industry is headed. Candid, opinionated, and deeply rooted in real-world experience—this is a must-listen for anyone serious about freight and trucking.

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

The freight market is aggressively correcting toward specialization, highlighted by Werner Enterprises' decision to acquire dedicated carrier FirstFleet for $245 million. This strategic move adds over 2,400 tractors to their fleet and secures stable revenue streams in an otherwise volatile sector.

While carriers expand, major retailers like American Eagle and Office Depot are pulling the plug on third-party logistics services to refocus on core operations. These companies realized that selling "supply chain as a service" became an operational nightmare that distracted from their primary retail goals.

Automation takes a giant leap forward as Gatik launches fully driverless commercial trucking operations in Texas, Arkansas, and Arizona. By removing the safety driver entirely, the company is effectively solving the middle-mile challenge for Fortune 50 retailers moving perishable goods.

Efficiency drives major changes at UPS, where the parcel giant plans to eliminate 30,000 jobs while downsizing its network to manage lower Amazon volumes. The company is also modernizing its air capacity by permanently retiring its aging MD-11 fleet in favor of more efficient Boeing 767s following a recent fatal crash.

Financial scandals rock the brokerage world as a new lawsuit alleges the R&R Family of Companies continued operating while insolvent, racking up millions in unpaid bills. Court filings claim the founders transferred valuable property to themselves even as lenders urged an orderly wind-down of the business.

Finally, regulators have opened a public comment period regarding the controversial under-21 interstate trucking program amid strong industry debate. While large fleets push to extend the pilot to address labor shortages, safety advocates warn of higher crash risks associated with younger drivers.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices