In this episode, we dive into some of the ways to expand security in the supply chain and yard automation. Our guest, Mike Grabovica, CEO of Birdseye, breaks down best adoption strategies and when to make improvements as well as ensuring you don’t get left behind. For more information, subscribe to Check Call the newsletter or the podcast. 

Follow the Check Call Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows

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

In this episode, we unpack a confusing market paradox where transportation capacity has hit a four-year low even as fleets place massive orders for new equipment. Analysts attribute the surge of over 42,000 Class 8 truck orders to a regulatory pre-buy ahead of 2027 emissions rules rather than a true recovery in freight demand.

We also explore how C.H. Robinson is utilizing 30 agentic AI tools to execute "gross margin arbitrage" and respond to quote requests in just 32 seconds. This strategy allows the brokerage to dynamically adjust pricing hundreds of times a day, turning speed directly into expanded margins.

The conversation then shifts to the legal hurdles facing autonomous trucking, where liability often hinges on whether a "safer alternative design" existed rather than a comparison to human drivers. Experts warn that this unique product liability standard exposes manufacturers to nuclear verdicts even if their vehicles perform safer than people.

Finally, we discuss the push by safety advocates to end the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot for under-21 truckers. Opponents argue the program is dangerous, citing data that drivers aged 19 to 20 are six times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows

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

On this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute, the U.S. Postal Service announces plans to phase out contracted drivers holding non-domiciled CDLs due to safety concerns. USPS tightens vetting for immigrant truck drivers explores how this crackdown aligns with broader federal initiatives despite warnings of potential supply chain strain.

C.H. Robinson is revolutionizing its operations by deploying custom agentic AI tools to handle millions of tasks and slash quote response times from minutes to seconds. How is C.H. Robinson using AI? Its CFO has a story to tell details how these innovations are driving productivity and allowing for real-time pricing strategy adjustments.

As autonomous trucks hit the road, manufacturers face massive financial exposure from product liability lawsuits that focus on safer alternative designs rather than human error. Autonomous trucking faces growing product liability risks, examines the legal challenges and potential for "nuclear verdicts" as technology outpaces the law.

Finally, catch a preview of today's WHAT THE TRUCK?!? episode airing at noon with four guests covering diverse logistics topics. Join us for these updates and more on FreightWaves TV.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows

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

Fleet operations are moving faster than ever — and legacy systems can’t keep up. In this interview from the Trimble Insights Conference, Trimble CEO Rob Painter explains how cloud-based TMS platforms, agentic AI, and connected workflows are helping fleets cut hours of manual work down to minutes.

⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast⁠

⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠

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

In this episode of the Daily, we dive into how the Red Sea crisis and early Lunar New Year demand are driving a 20% spike in ocean rates while carriers strategically manage capacity. We also explore the infrastructure collapse at Venezuela's largest container port, where operational delays have stretched from hours to days following political turmoil.

Closer to home, we analyze why cross-border freight from Mexico serves as a vital stabilizer for the industry, even as U.S. carriers face a brutal squeeze between low spot rates and high operating costs. Experts warn that pending regulatory restrictions on non-domiciled CDLs could further disrupt the supply and demand balance in 2026.

The episode also covers a wave of major consolidation, highlighted by QXO securing a massive $1.2 billion capital injection to roll up the building products sector. We discuss how specialized acquisitions by companies like Stord and Trinity Logistics are reshaping the competitive landscape, making scenario planning essential for shippers.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows

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

On Tuesday’s FreightWaves Morning Minute, we cover the news that⁠ Jacobs’ QXO gets big investment from group led by Apollo⁠, securing $1.2 billion to consolidate the building product supply chain. This fresh capital empowers the logistics venture to manage a growing asset base within a fragmented ecosystem.

Next, we discuss how⁠ Stord buys e-commerce specialist Shipwire from Ceva Logistics⁠ as part of a strategy to rapidly scale its operations. The acquisition provides Stord with 12 new fulfillment centers and access to a global network of 1,000 warehouses.

We also report that⁠ Trump delays furniture, cabinet tariffs; scales back duties on pasta⁠, pushing planned hikes on furniture imports back to at least 2027,. The administration simultaneously reduced proposed duties on Italian pasta while keeping the existing 25% duty on furniture in place.

Finally, be sure to tune in to FreightWaves TV today for new episodes of ⁠Check Call⁠ and ⁠Loaded and Rolling⁠. These programs will air at 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.

⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠

⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠

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

Welcome back to WithSONAR!

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

Welcome to the first episode of 2026 on WHAT THE TRUCK?!?. Host Malcolm Harris kicks off the new year with an in-depth, no-nonsense conversation with Charles Gracey, often referred to as the “Dr. Phil of trucking,” to break down the biggest issues shaping the freight and trucking industry right now.

This episode covers major developments that will impact drivers, carriers, brokers, and industry leaders in 2026, including the federal appeals court ruling against Amazon and what joint-employer accountability could mean for last-mile delivery models. Malcolm and Charles discuss whether this ruling signals a broader shift in labor law, risk allocation, and long-term sustainability for delivery service partners.

They dive into why large carrier mergers and acquisitions largely stalled in 2025, exploring indecision, market uncertainty, valuations, and leadership hesitation, and what that means for consolidation in 2026. The conversation also examines leverage in today’s freight market, capacity pressures, driver pay, and why the power balance still isn’t in drivers’ favor.

Autonomous trucking takes center stage as California moves closer to allowing testing and deployment of heavy-duty driverless trucks. The discussion addresses safety, cybersecurity, liability, regulatory gaps, and the often-ignored human cost of automation, including what happens to drivers if jobs are displaced.

Other key topics include:- Peak season performance and why “best in recent memory” may not mean much- Sudden carrier shutdowns during the holidays and what they reveal about leadership, diversification, and planning- The lack of meaningful protections for drivers when companies collapse- Why 2026 may become a relationship-driven year for freight rather than a transactional one- Barriers to entry, industry integrity, and the need for higher standards without killing opportunity- How executives can avoid being disconnected from day-to-day operations- Why innovation fails when drivers and frontline workers aren’t truly involved

This episode is a candid, wide-ranging look at where trucking has been, where it’s heading, and what needs to change for the industry to rebuild trust, stability, and integrity in 2026.

⁠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 The Daily, we break down the record-breaking peak retail season of 2025, which saw tender rejections soar above 13% amidst severe winter storms. We also explore why truckload order lead times continue to rise, hitting a six-year high as shippers adjust their strategies to cope with escalating trade tensions.

The discussion turns to a critical regulatory standoff as California faces threats of federal funding cuts and CDL program decertification over improperly issued non-domiciled licenses. This potential "nuclear option" from the FMCSA could ground hundreds of thousands of drivers, creating a massive liability risk for carriers and brokers alike.

On the labor front, we analyze a major court ruling where Amazon lost its bid to halt NLRB proceedings, keeping the controversial "joint employer" designation in play for delivery service providers. Meanwhile, in the rail sector, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern defend their merger application against competitors claiming the nearly 7,000-page filing is incomplete.

Finally, we look south at the booming nearshoring trend where Chihuahua has emerged as Mexico's top exporting state driven by advanced manufacturing and electronics. We also discuss how Mexico's new tariffs on Asian imports are aligning with U.S. trade policy to reshape cross-border logistics in 2026.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows

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

Kodiak AI has announced a strategic partnership with Bosch to scale its autonomous truck platform for broader manufacturing integration. This collaboration aims to install the Kodiak Driver system directly on assembly lines or through specialized upfitters to ensure commercial scalability.

The Ninth Circuit Court has denied an injunction request as Amazon loses a court fight regarding National Labor Relations Board proceedings. This ruling allows the labor board to continue examining the critical legal question of whether the tech giant qualifies as a joint employer with its third-party delivery companies.

North Carolina carrier Queen Transportation shuts down operations over the holiday break, grounding a fleet of 89 trucks. The sudden closure was effective immediately, leaving approximately 90 drivers and support staff unemployed without prior warning.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows

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