FreightCasts

In this episode, we explore strategic capacity management as Abilene Motor Express being absorbed into Swift signals Knight-Swift's focus on long-term efficiency over brand diversity. We also analyze market resilience as the LTL pricing index hits new high in Q4, contrasting strong LTL yields against a truckload sector that is only showing tentative signs of recovery. Legal risks take center stage as C.H. Robinson makes its legal written case before SCOTUS on broker liability, arguing that the F4A safety exemption does not impose negligence liability on brokers. On the regulatory front, we discuss how the DOT to use AI to go after illegal truckers is transforming artificial intelligence from an operational tool into a weapon against fraud and compensation erosion. Technological fragility is exposed in our breakdown of How Verizon's Cellular Outages Expose Trucking’s Technology Achilles’ Heel, revealing the liability risks of cloud-dependent ELDs during infrastructure failures. Finally, we look at positive global news as Maersk returns to Red Sea with India-US service, shaving a week off transit times by resuming Suez Canal routes. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The debate over non-domiciled CDLs has become one of the most heated and misunderstood conversations in trucking. Court filings, enforcement changes, and political rhetoric dominate the headlines — but rarely do we hear from the drivers whose lives are directly affected. In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Jorge Rivera Lujan, an owner-operator with more than a decade in trucking who is currently involved in active litigation related to non-domiciled CDL enforcement.Because the case is ongoing, this conversation does not analyze legal strategy or argue outcomes. Instead, it focuses on the human impact — how enforcement changes affect work, family, safety perceptions, and community — and addresses common myths surrounding non-domiciled CDL drivers. This episode is about listening, understanding, and separating fact from assumption in one of trucking’s most emotionally charged issues. Follow The Long Haul Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Department of Transportation is deploying artificial intelligence to enforce regulations against companies hiring illegal foreign drivers. This new initiative aims to identify fraud regarding non-domiciled CDLs that officials warn are driving down wages for American truckers, as detailed in DOT to use AI to go after illegal truckers. Southeastern Freight Lines is expanding its reach south of the border through a new partnership with Fletes Mexico Carga Express. The move is designed to streamline less-than-truckload shipments between the U.S. and Mexico with real-time tracking and faster customs clearance, according to Southeastern Freight Lines joins regional carriers moving into Mexico trade. A recent industry report indicates that parcel shipping rates have reached record highs driven by a proliferation of blanket surcharges. Even as fuel prices have declined, carriers hiked fuel surcharges significantly year-over-year to maintain revenue, a trend analyzed in Proliferation of parcel delivery surcharges drives up shipping rates. Finally, a new episode of The Long Haul features an interview with a non-domiciled CDL holder sharing his perspective on the regulatory crackdown. This is your daily update on the freight market for Thursday, January 15th. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s WHAT THE TRUCK?!?!, host Malcolm Harris takes a wide-angle look at the forces reshaping freight in 2026, from autonomous trucking and fleet safety to regulation, compliance, and ongoing market volatility. The episode blends breaking industry headlines with two in-depth conversations that explore where trucking is headed and what fleets need to be thinking about right now. The show kicks off with a global freight and logistics roundup, including federal compliance cost cuts for fuel haulers, Allegiant’s move into air cargo with Amazon freight, expanding CDL compliance crackdowns in Tennessee, and Louisiana’s growing staged truck accident investigation. Malcolm also highlights Purdue University’s successful wireless charging test for a heavy-duty truck at highway speeds, Southeastern Freight Lines’ expansion into Mexico, and what these developments signal for capacity, safety, and future freight operations. The first featured guest is Don Burnette, Founder and CEO of Kodiak, who joins the show to break down how autonomous trucking has officially moved beyond the demo phase. Don explains how Kodiak’s AI-powered trucks are operating in real, driverless commercial service today and why the industry conversation has shifted from if autonomy works to how fast it can scale. The discussion covers Kodiak’s partnership with Bosch, the importance of manufacturing-grade hardware, redundancy, and system reliability, as well as how trust is built with fleets, regulators, and the public. Don also offers a realistic perspective on what autonomous trucking solves today, what challenges remain, and how fleets should think about autonomy in a tight and uncertain freight market. Later in the episode, Cyndi Brandt, VP of Fleet Solutions at Descartes, brings a fleet-side view of safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. Cyndi explains why safety risks often begin long before a truck ever hits the road, highlighting the role of planning, dispatch, and unrealistic schedules in creating stress and unsafe driving behaviors. She dives into how congestion, tight delivery windows, and poor route planning show up in real-time fleet data, and why stress is one of the most measurable — and overlooked — safety risks in trucking today. The conversation also explores how telematics, routing tools, and execution data can be used proactively to reduce risk rather than simply monitor compliance. 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 FreightWaves Daily, we explore the paradox shaping the current truckload market, where federal regulators are offering specific cost relief while simultaneously tightening overall capacity. We break down how Feds slash compliance costs for fuel haulers by restoring a critical marking exception and greenlighting video inspections to save the industry millions. Our analysis delves into the Five State of Freight takeaways, showing that current market strength is being driven by capacity contraction rather than demand. With inventory levels hitting historic lows, the industry must prepare for a potential bullish restocking cycle despite soft manufacturing numbers. We also examine the intense regulatory pressure facing carriers, including the ongoing battle over non-domiciled CDL holders that is effectively shrinking the available driver pool. Additionally, we discuss the escalating legal risks as the Louisiana staged truck accident indictment widens to include shocking charges of witness tampering and murder conspiracy. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices