FreightCasts

In this episode, we kick things off by examining the latest developments in the proposed mega-merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. The two Class I railroads just submitted critical new data requested by the Surface Transportation Board addressing control questions over key interchange terminals and equipment cooperatives. Despite delays in formal review, the partners remain committed to closing their massive eighty-five billion dollar deal by mid-2027.

Shifting gears to the parcel sector, we explore how DHL Group raised its full-year earnings forecast after posting remarkable second-quarter results that included a twenty-nine percent jump in pre-tax income. The Germany-based logistics giant attributed the strong performance to favorable demand conditions compared to the tariff-impacted prior year, efficiency savings, and staggering capacity constraints in air cargo driven by the Iran war.

Finally, we cover the harsh realities of the freight recession as another LTL carrier confirms it has shut down operations effective July seventh. Mountain Valley Express, a small regional operator with thirteen terminals across California, Arizona, and Nevada, is the latest casualty in a brutal operating environment that has claimed numerous carriers despite aggressive growth plans announced just months earlier.

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In this packed episode of FreightWaves Today, hosts Craig and Julie dive deep into the major issues transforming the logistics world right now—from massive international cargo theft rings to the critical deployment of emergency technology in global disaster zones.

First, we tackle the latest headlines exposing a staggering $10 million international freight fraud indictment. Then, we explore how freight tech providers are integrating real-time databases to fight identity theft and double brokering at no additional cost. Finally, we cover the financial shifts on the rails as Greenbrier reports a softer second quarter but raises dividends.

Featured Guests:

Tony Urban – Executive Vice President of Transportation Information Systems at Cass Information Systems. Tony (the "OG" of freight bill processing) shares how Cass leverages its stability as a federally regulated bank to help shippers secure working capital, reduce friction, and build layered security protocols to combat pervasive payment fraud.

Vidya Sampath (Senior Product Manager of Disaster Relief) & Jeff Schweitzer (Principal Technical Product Manager for Disaster Relief) – Amazon. The tech and retail giant breaks down how they utilize their massive global footprint, dedicated fulfillment hubs, and rapid-response tech kits to deliver power and communication infrastructure to disaster areas like Venezuela and the Mariana Islands in a matter of hours.

John Kingston – Market Expert & Journalist. John breaks down the unprecedented "nutty" crack spread that has blown out to levels never seen before, highlighting a major divergence between collapsing wholesale crude numbers and stubbornly high retail diesel prices.

Michelle Livingstone – Supply Chain Veteran & Board Member. Drawing from her decades of leadership at Home Depot and major transportation boards, Michelle talks about the evolution of hurricane response, the massive value of aiming for "Shipper of Choice" status, and the urgent need to empower and bring more women into logistics leadership roles.

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Every trucking company is buying more technology.

The question is...is it actually making your business stronger or creating new ways to lose money?

In this episode of Brake Check, we tackle the two biggest technology battles every carrier faces today:

Steve Brown from Tenstreet breaks down how AI, automation, and smarter recruiting are changing driver hiring—and where technology still needs a human touch.

Then Jake Persofsky, Founder of Insperia, explains why so many carriers are one cyberattack, ransomware event, or freight fraud scheme away from operational disaster and what you can do today to protect your business.

Inside this episode:

Whether you run one truck or one thousand, this conversation could save your company thousands of dollars and maybe your next load.

If you believe trucking deserves real conversations instead of sales pitches, subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode with another carrier.

Brake Check.

Real trucking. Real operators. Zero fluff.

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In Episode 9 of Fraud Watch, Phil Brink sits down with Joe Ohr, Chief Operations and Technical Officer at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, for a conversation about trust, technology, and the future of freight security. Joe discusses why some of the industry's oldest assumptions are being challenged, what surprised him most while studying freight fraud, and why he believes the companies that slow down and verify may ultimately have the advantage. The episode also explores the NMFTA's new anonymous Threat Report Portal and why information sharing may be one of the most important tools the industry has in the fight against freight fraud. Learn more at ⁠https://www.nmftathreatportal.com/⁠

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In this episode, we kick things off by examining a massive criminal indictment that reveals the scope of organized freight fraud across the United States. Federal prosecutors have charged eight individuals in an alleged international conspiracy that stole at least ten million dollars in cargo over a three-year period, targeting everything from electronics and liquor to meat and cryptocurrency mining machines. The criminal organization allegedly impersonated legitimate carriers to obtain transportation contracts, then diverted freight and removed tracking devices before selling the stolen goods.

Meanwhile, the industry is fighting back against this pervasive fraud threat with powerful new technology tools. We explore how AscendTMS has integrated SearchCarriers into its carrier verification platform, giving freight brokers and shippers access to real-time carrier and broker data at no additional cost. This collaboration is designed to help transportation providers combat freight fraud, double brokering, identity theft and unsafe carrier selection while simplifying due diligence across over sixty-nine thousand companies worldwide.

Finally, we shift over to the rails to discuss the challenges facing major equipment manufacturers in a tough market environment. Railcar maker Greenbrier reported weaker second-quarter earnings as lower railcar deliveries weighed on revenue, with earnings per share coming in at just forty-seven cents versus eighty-nine cents in analyst estimates. Despite serious margin pressure, management raised the quarterly dividend by six percent and updated full-year guidance upward, signaling continued confidence in cash generation.

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Freight markets are navigating a post-holiday slowdown while cargo theft, fraud, and fuel prices remain top concerns across the supply chain. In this episode of FreightWaves Today, Craig Fuller and Julie Van de Kamp break down the latest freight headlines, analyze SONAR market data, discuss ocean shipping trends, and explore how AI and identity verification are changing logistics.
Featured Guests:
Jesús Guerra — President of Energy, The Pilot Company
Jesus discusses the state of the oil and diesel markets, the impact of fuel volatility on trucking, renewable diesel and biodiesel, and how the proposed SEED Act could help reduce fuel costs while strengthening America's energy infrastructure.
Brandon Fried - Director, Air Forwarders Association
Brandon Discusses lessons that the domestic trucking market can learn from air cargo security regimes, the recent changes to IATA's direct airway bill liability, and how Amazon Air Cargo is impacting market competition.
Bryan Lewis — CEO, Intellicheck
Bryan explains why identity verification has become one of the most important tools in the fight against freight fraud. He discusses emerging threats driven by AI-generated fake documents, organized cargo theft, and how verifying the individual taking possession of freight can protect shippers, brokers, and carriers.
Pawan Joshi - Chief Strategy Officer, E2open:
Pawan Discusses the reality of modern, multi-party supply chains. Pawan details how strategic tracking platforms, active sensors, and rapid event horizons help shippers detect freight disruptions and theft in real-time.

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Welcome back to #WithSONAR!

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In this episode, we kick things off with a stunning embezzlement case that rocked a Texas freight brokerage when a former controller pleaded guilty to stealing over three point two million dollars from Austin Freight Systems. The thirty-four-year-old fraudster executed one hundred forty-seven payments between October 2023 and March 2025, depositing the stolen funds into personal accounts and funneling over one million dollars through an online gambling platform. Despite the massive theft, the company confirmed it remains financially sound and continues normal operations.

Meanwhile, we explore the heated debate unfolding in Washington as the bipartisan CORCA bill advances to the Senate amid controversy over cargo theft data and federal enforcement expansion. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act passed the House by a massive three hundred forty-eight to sixty margin and would establish a new coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations. Critics argue documented cargo theft represents only a small fraction of freight moved, while supporters maintain current reporting systems capture just one in every ten full truckload thefts nationwide.

Finally, we head south to examine a disturbing trend where cargo theft incidents in Mexico are falling but attacks on truckers have turned brutally deadly according to official government statistics and industry reports. While cargo theft investigations dropped twenty-one percent in the first five months of 2026, fourteen truck drivers have been killed in highway attacks as criminal groups deploy increasingly aggressive tactics. Mexico's National Freight Chamber reports robbers are now using firearms and opening fire on drivers rather than waiting for vehicles to stop, with the State of Mexico and the Veracruz-Puebla corridor identified as the nation's most dangerous freight routes.

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In this episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller, Max, and transportation attorney Matt Leffler challenge one of the trucking industry's biggest myths. They explain why the issue isn't a lack of drivers, but poor compensation, high turnover, and decades of structural changes that have reshaped the freight industry.

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The freight market heads into the Fourth of July weekend with strong momentum—and we're breaking down everything you need to know.

Craig Fuller and Max Fuller are joined by Matthew Leffler to discuss the latest freight market developments, North American trade, Supreme Court decisions impacting the trucking industry, broker liability, insurance trends, and what they all mean for carriers, brokers, and shippers.

In this episode:

Special Guests:

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