FreightCasts

Day 2 of F3: Future of Freight Festival brings the energy, the insights, and the triple-threat lineup. Host Malcolm Harris goes live from downtown Chattanooga to dive into the evolving world of freight tech, AI, payments, and innovation—straight from the leaders building the future.

Guest #1 — Garrett Wolfe, EVP of Market Strategy, TriumphGarrett breaks down Triumph’s purpose-built, verified freight transaction network, how their data and payments ecosystem powers trust, fraud prevention, and smarter decision-making, and why AI is a tool—not a buzzword—to be deployed when it improves customer outcomes.Guest #2 - Daniel Lucas, VP of Innovation & Business Strategy, UFSDaniel brings a decade-plus of logistics and tech experience to talk about AI as a freight copilot—and why companies must standardize their processes before plugging AI into their workflow.

Guest #3 — Danielle Villegas, Chief Product Officer, PCSPCS flips the script by putting midsize carriers first. Danielle shares how their embedded AI engine, Cortex, is driving efficiency, accuracy, and profitability—plus, her team wins Best in Show live on the air.

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This episode highlights Airbus kicking its A350 freighter program into high gear, with the prototype finalized and flight tests set for next October, aiming for a late 2027 service entry. Learn how the A350F promises a 40% reduction in fuel consumption and features a massive 175-inch wide cargo door, giving it a significant edge in handling bulky industrial cargo.

We also examine major rail consolidation, specifically the Surface Transportation Board approval of Fortress Investment Group's acquisition of two new regional lines, the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway and the Akron Barberton Cluster Railway. This deal expands Fortress's roster of Class III railroads, and the STB agreed that the move would enhance the railways' access to capital for strategic investment and growth.

Finally, we cover the worrying financial distress facing the 3PL sector as Odyssey Logistics was hit with a second debt downgrade from Moody's in less than three months, dropping its corporate family rating deep into Caa-1 "junk status". Moody's noted this rapid deterioration was driven by sky-high leverage—expected well over seven times operating profit—which creates serious refinancing risk ahead of the company's significant debt maturities in 2027.

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Welcome to another episode of What the Truck?! with host Malcolm Harris coming to you remotely from sunny Florida as we head into Thanksgiving weekend! Today’s double-header is packed with breaking news, powerful storytelling, and industry insights you don’t want to miss.

First, FreightWaves insider and investigative journalist Noi Mahoney joins the show to break down some of the biggest headlines in freight:

Major rail merger concerns at BNSF

The halted PFG–US Foods mega-merger

A shocking roundup of recent drug-smuggling busts involving auto parts, produce, and more

How innocent drivers and carriers can get caught in the crossfire

Hotspot border crossings, inspection gaps, and what the next 12–24 months may look like

12,000+ layoffs hitting automotive, food, manufacturing & logistics—and which regions are impacted the most

Noi shares what investigators are seeing on the ground, how smugglers hide contraband in freight, and what every carrier, shipper, and driver should know to protect their operation.

Then we bring you one of the most inspiring stories in trucking this year.

 Meet Stacy Batiste—Marine Corps veteran, community role model, 5-million-mile safe driver, and the official 2025 Pilot Road Warrior Champion.

Stacy sits down with Malcolm to talk about:

The moment he was surprised by the Diesel Brothers with a custom-built Kenworth

Winning $50,000 in cash

34+ years on the road with zero accidents

How his Marine training shaped his career

The role his family and community play in his success

His advice for rookie drivers and seasoned veterans

Why he’s “riding till I die—I’ve got diesel in my veins”

This is one of the most heartfelt and motivating conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

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Welcome to the daily market update focusing on critical friction points that are reshaping the supply chain. We examine the accelerated federal crackdown, including Border Patrol turning back two Mexican truckers in Arizona, and how tech firms like Highway are responding with new broker screening features for non-domiciled CDL drivers.

While new compliance technology risks reducing available trucking capacity, potentially pushing spot market freight rates up, the industry is simultaneously enduring a massive labor contraction across the entire sector. Over 11,900 workers were laid off in five weeks due to diverse factors like slower electric vehicle adoption at General Motors and a national cattle shortage leading to major plant closures at Tyson Foods.

On the international front, Maersk has denied setting any fixed timeline for a Red Sea return, stating safety remains their top priority, which ensures continued reliance on longer, more expensive shipping routes around Africa. Amidst these challenges, the industry is responding with data-driven initiatives like the FMCSA to poll 'several thousand' drivers on truck parking and groundbreaking rail decarbonization using a new deal to take carbon out of the LA-Long Beach harbor railroad.

Mentioned Articles:

Border Patrol turns back two Mexican truckers in Arizona

Highway’s new feature allows brokers to screen carriers with non-domiciled CDL drivers

Layoffs slam transport, logistics, manufacturing sectors ahead of the holidays

Maersk: No timeline for Red Sea return

FMCSA to poll 'several thousand' drivers on truck parking

New deal to take carbon out of LA-Long Beach harbor railroad

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We start with major security vulnerabilities, as authorities in the U.S. and Canada are intercepting millions in narcotics cleverly hidden within legitimate shipments, including a $16 million meth bust found in plaster vases. Tune in to hear more about these enforcement actions, where drugs have been concealed in commodities ranging from auto parts and berries to lettuce.

The conversation then shifts to the back office, where new technology is being utilized to fight freight fraud and enhance compliance. We discuss Highway’s new, optional feature that allows brokers to screen out carriers based on whether the primary account owner holds a non-domiciled CDL, a major red flag for liability and fraud concerns. This compliance effort is a direct response to increased insurer scrutiny and regulatory pressure surrounding non-domiciled licenses.

Finally, we issue a critical warning concerning the Thanksgiving holiday period, as Verisk CargoNet has put out a massive cargo theft alert. Organized criminal networks are expected to cause a 65% increase in theft incidents compared to last year, primarily targeting food and beverage shipments. Vigilance, advanced security measures, and the right technology are absolutely essential for supply chain planning this quarter.

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Freight has faced turbulence from every direction: trade tensions, shifting regulations, and a government shutdown.

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We explore why ⁠BNSF Railway opposes the proposed UP-NS mega-merger⁠, arguing it would eliminate competitive options for shippers and fail the strict Surface Transportation Board standard requiring mergers to actively enhance competition.

The air freight sector faces an immediate capacity crisis due to two simultaneous events hitting just before peak season. Learn how the extended grounding of MD-11 freighters—following the discovery of fatigue cracks after a fatal UPS crash—⁠has led to indefinite pilot furloughs at Western Global Airlines⁠, while a BP pipeline leak near Everett, Washington, forced United Airlines to ⁠place a temporary embargo on most narrowbody cargo shipments at Sea-Tac airport⁠.

Financial pressure continues in the trucking sector, exemplified by the ⁠Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of P. Judge & Sons⁠, a legacy firm whose high vehicle out-of-service rate (46.2%) stood out as significantly worse than the national average. Conversely, bipartisan regulatory relief may be coming for drivers in cold climates through the ⁠"Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act of 2025,"⁠ which aims to prevent automatic engine shutdowns in extreme cold (below 12° F) by requiring the EPA to authorize the suspension of derate functions.

Finally, we examine the intense cross-border risk in Mexico, where massive highway blockades across more than 20 states are snarling major corridors, causing anticipated transit and customs delays. These widespread protests, ⁠driven by truckers demanding action against rampant cargo theft and police extortion⁠, underscore the critical necessity for supply chain professionals to diversify planning and build resilience against simultaneous regulatory, financial, and physical threats across all transportation modes.

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In this Thanksgiving edition of Third & Long, Adam Wingfield and co-driver Kaylee Nix break down one of the biggest stories shaking the trucking world: California’s CDL compliance battle with the FMCSA, the threat of losing $158 million in federal funding, and the lawsuits claiming civil rights violations.

This episode goes deep into the political tension between state and federal authority, how these policies affect small carriers and owner-operators, and what the fallout could mean for the industry moving forward.

We cover:

FMCSA vs. California — federal funding, compliance failures, and courts stepping in

Civil rights lawsuit — why non-domiciled CDL holders say the rules are unfair

Public perception of drivers — including the viral “low-skilled job” debate

Real-world industry impact — hiring, safety, insurance, and the future of driver qualifications

The massive training gap — 63,000 CDL schools but only 3,000 federally compliant

What shippers must do next — and whether this opens a door for small carriers

Along the way, Adam shares real stories from the road, what it really takes to safely operate 80,000 lbs of equipment, and why the idea that trucking is “low-skilled” couldn’t be further from the truth.

Whether you're a small carrier, an industry insider, or someone who wants to understand what’s really happening behind the headlines, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.

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The 100-year-old P Judge and Suns Trucking and Warehousing Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey, listing both assets and liabilities between $1 million and $10 million.

The podcast covers the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, which UP CEO Jim Vena advocated for at the RailTrends industry conference. Vena stressed that the United States should not be the only country in North America without seamless rail service, noting that the merger is necessary to enable railroads to compete with the trucking industry.

Strong opposition to the deal comes from Western Railroad BNSF, which views the merger as a disruption that would likely lead to a reshaping of the entire North American Rail Network. BNSF’s chief marketing officer highlighted that customers are not advocating for the merger, and that existing transcontinental options are already practical through collaboration.

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Welcome to a special Thanksgiving-week edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?! with your host, Malcolm Harris! Even though he’s out of the studio and home for the holidays, Malcolm is still delivering—like DoorDash—with a jam-packed double feature you won’t want to miss.

Today’s Lineup

John Kingston – Editor-at-Large, FreightWaves

John joins to break down his latest article on what he calls the “jobs apocalypse” hitting logistics. From AI-driven workforce disruption to what’s happening inside Trimble’s panels, he digs into:

Why AI could eliminate thousands of entry-level logistics jobs

CH Robinson’s AI-powered transformation

The shifting role of human judgment

What this means for the future of freight work

Carlos Guillen – President & Cofounder, BG Trucking

Carlos brings an inspiring deep-dive into cross-border operations, driver-first culture, and BG’s explosive growth to 400+ employees across 11 states. He shares:

What true high-compliance cross-border trucking looks like

The tech and transparency powering BG’s success

How BG supports its drivers and protects them on high-risk routes

Their powerful community partnerships, including a California Fire Foundation wildfire relief initiative with a mobile QR-coded donation trailer

Breaking News + Headlines

Malcolm also covers:

A container ship fire that forced four terminals to shut down at the Port of LA

A tentative deal between Canada Post and its union

A wild near-disaster involving the ECU Pirates’ equipment truck

Brand-new, just-dropped reporting: Amazon shutting down a Little Rock warehouse due to earthquake-related structural flaws

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