FreightCasts

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris dives into a packed lineup covering the latest issues shaping freight, technology, and trucking regulation.

We kick things off with Rudy Nemeth of Veloster Solutions, who breaks down how AI is transforming fleet management through predictive maintenance, smarter safety systems, and advanced route optimization following their recent acquisition of ⁠NextBillion.ai⁠.

Next, Magnus Technologies CEO Matt Cartwright joins the show to talk about the real roots of the driver shortage, why it’s a systemic issue rather than a people problem, and how empathy, communication, and integrated technology platforms can dramatically improve driver satisfaction and retention. He also shares insights from decades in the industry and why unifying data is the key to modern fleet operations.

To wrap up, Andrew Poliakoff, Executive Director of CVTA, gives an inside look at the state of driver training, the federal crackdown on fraudulent training providers, and what fleets, students, and schools need to know about compliance, safety, and upcoming regulatory changes. He explains why proper training matters now more than ever and what red flags new drivers should watch for.

Malcolm also covers major news across the country, including Mississippi’s crackdown on undocumented drivers, the abrupt shutdown of two Minnesota carriers affecting 200 drivers, and an Ohio logistics owner sentenced for a multimillion-dollar tax evasion scheme.

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A massive capacity glut is forcing established fleets like James R. Smith Trucking to close their doors. We also look at the sudden collapse of two Minnesota carriers, MinStar Transport and Transport Design Inc., which left 200 drivers out of work overnight.

As legitimate capacity folds, the industry is becoming a regulatory "hellscape" where loopholes allow minimally trained drivers to replace compliant operators. We discuss how these unchecked market dynamics have contributed to a 40% rise in fatal truck crashes and a surge in cargo theft.

State authorities are stepping up enforcement, with Mississippi referring illegal truckers to ICE after identifying drivers violating English proficiency and license standards. This segment highlights the growing push to close federal loopholes that have allowed non-domiciled CDL abuse to flourish.

In the financial sector, we analyze the widening performance gap as RXO receives a negative outlook from S&P Global while competitor C.H. Robinson sees its credit rating upgraded. The discussion breaks down the sharp contrast in debt ratios and stock market performance between these two brokerage giants.

We also report on the sentencing of an Ohio trucking operator to 30 months in prison for a decades-long tax evasion scheme involving shadow companies. Finally, help celebrate the industry's unsung heroes by casting your vote for America’s favorite freight town in our latest contest.

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On today’s FreightWaves Morning Minute, we report on the sudden closure of two Minnesota carriers that has left approximately 200 drivers out of work. MinStar Transport and Transport Design, Inc., both operating under True North Equity Partners, announced they were ceasing operations over the weekend.

We also discuss a crackdown on the southern border where Mississippi is sending illegal truckers to ICE after identifying 85 unauthorized drivers in three months. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith is advocating for stricter federal legislation regarding non-domiciled CDLs and English language proficiency to address these safety concerns.

In legal news, an Ohio trucking company operator has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for a long-running tax evasion scheme involving Defense Department contracts. Alice Martin must pay nearly $2 million in restitution after pleading guilty to charges related to her company, Martin Logistics.

Finally, tune in to FreightWaves TV at noon for a new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? featuring Malcolm Harris. You can catch the live broadcast or listen to the replay on SiriusXM channel 146.

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Officials from the Great Lakes Economic Development Council talk to JP Hampstead about the opportunities and challenges in driving capital investment into a cross-border region that happens to be one of the world's greatest industrial centers.

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In this episode, we dive into technical advancements in the healthcare supply chain. Our guest, Archie Mayani, Chief Product Officer at GHX, breaks down the smart ways to introduce AI and move a healthcare supply chain forward in smart and effective way. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Running on Ice the newsletter⁠ or podcast.

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In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? host Malcolm Harris sits down with three industry leaders to break down the latest trends shaping freight, fleet operations, and the trailer marketplace.

First, Jake Johnson of RTA shares his journey from diesel technician to fleet success manager and explains how data, automation, and smarter technology can reduce downtime, control costs, and improve fleet performance.

Next, Corey Klujsza of RXO unpacks the newest Curve Report with insights into rate volatility, spot vs. contract dynamics, capacity exits, cost pressures, and early signals from peak season. Corey also discusses what fleets, brokers, and drivers should prepare for heading into 2026.

Finally, Colin Osborne from REPOWR joins in studio to dive into trailer access, guided search technology, AI-powered matching, and why equipment is becoming as on-demand as freight. Colin highlights how carriers — especially small fleets — can leverage smarter tools to stay efficient and competitive.

If you’re in trucking, logistics, brokerage, fleet management, or supply chain strategy, this conversation is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

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A federal appeals court has granted a request to hold the lawsuit regarding non-domiciled CDL restrictions in abeyance while the agency reviews public comments. This decision temporarily halts the interim final rule, meaning the FMCSA gets time-out on CDL crackdown and nearly 200,000 trucking jobs remain protected under previous standards for now.

Beyond the courtroom, industry experts argue that a focused English-language crackdown exposes how cheap labor and CDL fraud are remaking trucking by revealing a "new ecosystem" of transient foreign drivers. Grace Maher of OTR Solutions explains that drivers from Eastern Europe and Asia are suppressing freight rates by entering the market temporarily to undercut prices before returning home.

In infrastructure news, the Indiana port expands barge steel capacity at Jeffersonville by 40% to accommodate consistent double-digit growth and strong demand. Indiana River & Rail Terminals has leased a fourth building, raising their total storage capacity to 350,000 square feet to better serve multimodal customers.

Finally, stay tuned for a new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? airing live at noon on FreightWaves TV with Malcolm Harris. If you miss the live broadcast, you can catch the replay on the FreightWaves YouTube channel.

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In this episode, we investigate a safety crisis on American highways as industry leaders expose a loophole allowing thousands of fraudulent training providers to operate. We also analyze a pivotal legal battle reaching the U.S. Supreme Court that could redefine whether freight brokers are liable for negligent hiring.

Major U.S. ports are raising alarms that a proposed consolidation of rail carriers could severely reduce competition and threaten infrastructure investments. Simultaneously, agricultural leaders are urging for policy changes to overcome tariffs and regulatory "self-inflicted wounds" hindering trade.

Market data reveals a tightening environment where retailers are facing a sudden spike in transportation costs despite stalled capacity. These economic pressures are mirrored in the financial sector, where rising credit losses for major lenders point to a deepening struggle for carriers.

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New research from ATRI indicates that ⁠pre-crash negligence, such as substance abuse allegations, is driving a massive increase in jury awards⁠ against trucking companies. This analysis suggests that organizational failures now carry financial multipliers that far exceed those associated with crash severity alone.

In payment news, ⁠Relay Payments has secured a deal with Travel Centers of America⁠, completing its coverage of the "big three" travel center providers alongside Love's and Pilot. This expansion allows the digital payment platform to service fleets of all sizes with a network that now encompasses roughly 90% of the high-flow diesel market.

Finally, ⁠SpeedX has opened a new e-commerce superhub in Chicago⁠ capable of processing 500,000 shipments daily as part of its rapid U.S. expansion. This strategic move highlights how independent parcel carriers are building nationwide networks to compete directly with FedEx and UPS for last-mile dominance.

Later today on FreightWaves TV, tune in to ⁠The Long Haul⁠ for a conversation with Danielle Spanelli regarding rail theft and compliance. You can catch the episode at 10 a.m. or watch it on the FreightWaves YouTube channel.

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Cargo theft is no longer a random crime — it’s organized, digital, and spreading faster than the industry wants to admit.

In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Danielle Spinelli, better known as The Fraud Girl — a veteran broker turned fraud-fighting expert and host of Tell Me Everything. Now with Descartes | MyCarrierPortal, Danielle works on the front lines of vetting carriers, uncovering scams, and helping brokers and shippers stay one step ahead of organized theft rings.

Fresh off a ride-along with the California Highway Patrol’s Cargo Theft Task Force, Danielle gives a behind-the-scenes look at what’s really happening on rail lines, at docks, and in digital load boards — and how small carriers are being targeted, framed, or used without even realizing it.

This one’s not theory — it’s field intel.

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