FreightCasts

On this Brake Check Vacation Special, host Charles Gracey runs back two of the most critical regulatory, legal, and safety compliance conversations facing the trucking industry today.

First, Brandon Wiseman and Rob Carpenter from Trucksafe join the show to break down what FMCSA’s new MODUS registration system actually means for carriers and brokers. They dive into the legal fallout of recent Supreme Court rulings, discuss what’s inside the massive new Highway Bill proposal (including controversial hair follicle testing provisions), and tackle the question: Are small fleets being regulated out of existence?

Then, Sam Watts (Director of Safety & Loss Control at 10-4 Truck Insurance) joins to separate real fleet safety culture from "safety theater". Sam shares hard truths about driver pay structures, continuous CDL monitoring, fighting nuclear verdicts, and how carriers can protect their bottom line before a single crash happens.

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining the latest quarterly results from third-party logistics provider RXO, which posted a mixed second-quarter performance. While net income remained at a five cents per share loss, the company achieved what it described as a ⁠historic sequential increase in profit per load driven by a massive jump in truckload spot mix⁠. That spot mix surged to forty-two percent in the second quarter, up from just thirty-three percent in the first quarter, as the strengthening freight market provides a tailwind for the broker.

Next, we explore the encouraging turnaround at Forward Air, which is showing real signs of recovery following what analysts have called a messy merger with freight forwarder Omni Logistics. The company reported ⁠its best quarterly performance since the January 2024 combination, with consolidated revenue climbing nine percent year-over-year⁠ and consolidated adjusted EBITDA rising eighteen percent to ninety-three million dollars. The expedited freight segment led the charge with a solid twenty-four percent year-over-year revenue increase, benefiting from less-than-truckload freight that had previously been lost to a depressed truckload market now returning.

Finally, we cover the heavy-duty truck market where North American Class 8 net orders totaled twenty-two thousand units in July, down thirty-one percent from June. However, industry analysts are clear that ⁠the slowdown reflects limited production availability rather than softening freight demand⁠, with calendar-year 2026 production essentially sold out. Through July, 2026 Class 8 net orders are running one hundred twenty percent higher than the same period last year, underscoring robust replacement demand and improving fleet utilization.

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In this episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down critical news across the freight and logistics landscape, from financial health and quarterly earnings to regulatory shifts, market indices, and tariffs.

James Gellert, Executive Chairman of Rapid Ratings, joins to discuss financial health across middle-market and private companies. He highlights cash-conversion cycle pressures, rising leverage, PE hold extensions, and how high-interest environments affect supply chain counterparty risk.

Jay Edlin, CEO of Wove, stops by the studio to share how their AI-powered ingestion engine helps customs brokers and shippers navigate HTS updates and Section 301 tariff changes in real time.

Trains Magazine Editor Bill Stephens breaks down North American rail traffic data. Excluding coal, carload growth remains strong alongside intermodal gains, pointing to continued industrial economy momentum.

CEO Geoff Anderman discusses STG Logistics emerging from bankruptcy with a restructured balance sheet, the current state of drayage and intermodal demand, and ongoing modal conversion opportunities.

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In this hump day edition, Malcolm and The Dude dive into football playbook contests, fast-moving retail trends, new LTL technology, and sustainable supply chain tracking solutions.

Jing Jing Chen (VP of Growth, Basic 3PL): Breaks down how e-commerce and viral social media trends are rewriting the traditional retail calendar. She explains how modern fulfillment centers and flexible warehousing adapt to handle sudden, viral demand surges—moving inventory in 72 hours instead of 72 days.

Patrick Sugar (EVP of Operations, Saia LTL Freight): Discusses Saia's national expansion and the launch of Rev. Patrick shares operational insights into meeting changing customer expectations around speed, real-time visibility, reliability, and expanded last-mile capabilities.

Dr. Brantly Fulton (CEO & Co-founder, Lamar Global): Takes us under the hood of single-use supply chain tracking. He shares how Lamar Global uses flexible electronics, roll-to-roll printing, and eco-friendly zinc batteries to solve complex reverse logistics and provide real-time temperature, humidity, and condition monitoring for cold chain and life sciences.

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining the harsh financial realities facing the truckload sector, where Pamt Corp. posted its seventh consecutive quarterly net loss and a staggering 110.6% adjusted operating ratio in its truckload division. Despite slashing its fleet by over four hundred tractors in three years, the company is finally seeing emerging signs of relief with a four percent sequential increase in revenue per loaded mile and constrained driver supply creating potential rate correction opportunities ahead.

Next, we explore a major consolidation in the specialized bulk sector as Canadian hauler Trimac Transportation acquired California Freight, a bulk food-grade logistics provider operating eight terminals across California and Nevada. This strategic acquisition brings approximately five hundred tractors and tank trailers hauling raw milk, plus over four hundred thousand square feet of food-grade storage space that aligns directly with Trimac's long-term growth strategy.

Finally, we break down another critical win for shippers in the ongoing legal battle over vicarious liability, where a Texas appeals court blocked liability claims against Atlas Aerospace in a fatal 2018 trucking collision case. This marks the second recent Texas court decision rejecting shipper liability for failing to control carrier selection, while C.H. Robinson continues its aggressive appeal of the massive six hundred four million dollar Lipe vs. Lupus Superior verdict.

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