FreightCasts

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris delivers a packed show covering the biggest stories shaping trucking and logistics right now. From major winter weather threats hitting the East Coast to regulatory crackdowns, air cargo shifts, fraud concerns, and carrier shutdowns, Malcolm breaks down the headlines that matter most to the freight economy.

The episode also features a triple-threat lineup of industry leaders:


Dan Brink, Chief Revenue Officer at Fleet Owl, dives into AI-driven dispatch, TMS innovation, and how technology is helping small and mid-sized carriers scale efficiently.


Jason Douglass, VP of Community & Engagement at PCS, brings an unfiltered, driver-first perspective on the “driver shortage,” pay transparency, community building, and the future of trucking in 2026.


Charles Masters, Co-Founder & CEO of Supply Veins, shares his journey from military service to startup founder and explains how fixing communication—not just sourcing—is transforming fleet procurement.

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Join us for today’s deep dive into a supply chain defined by intense scrutiny, from federal relief to aggressive state enforcement. We begin with Washington, where bipartisan legislation aims to reform the DataQs appeals process, finally giving drivers a fair shot against flawed safety records.

However, the tone shifts dramatically at the state level, where Florida is advancing severe penalties that include vehicle impoundment and $50,000 fines for unauthorized immigrant drivers. This legislative push is part of a broader trend, as federal regulators press forward with data collection on non-domiciled CDLs despite significant pushback.

We also analyze confusing enforcement patterns, where a surge in English Language Proficiency violations points toward the existence of "ghost fleets" masking their true size. The data reveals impossible discrepancies between reported truck counts and the volume of roadside inspections.

On the financial front, the sudden collapse of AGX Freight highlights the fragility of brokerage cash flows and the immediate risks to carriers. This shutdown exposes the inadequacy of the current $75,000 bond system, which often leaves truckers unpaid and vulnerable to fraud when brokers fail.

Finally, we look ahead to a pivotal Supreme Court case regarding broker liability for negligent selection, which could fundamentally reshape risk management across the industry. We explore whether these compounding pressures are pushing small operators out of the market entirely.

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In today’s episode, we discuss the Panama Supreme Court's ruling that forces a Hong Kong-based firm to give up its concessions at the Panama Canal ports. This legal decision comes as the U.S. president continues to assert the necessity of American influence over the strategic waterway.

Next, we look at Maersk Air Cargo's strategic pivot to cancel its flying partnership with Amerijet in favor of utilizing its own larger, more efficient jets. This transition reportedly includes selling aircraft to Amazon and has triggered upcoming layoffs for roughly 20% of Amerijet's pilot workforce.

Finally, federal regulators are doubling down on plans to enforce restrictions on foreign truck drivers despite facing fierce legal challenges from California and 18 other jurisdictions. The FMCSA argues that collecting historical data on non-domiciled CDL holders is essential for safety, even as the rules remain temporarily frozen by the courts.

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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.

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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.

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