Happy Friday! On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris dives into the heavy-hitting topics that every fleet leader, broker, and driver needs to hear. Broadcasting live on February 20, 2026, this episode is packed with critical insights to help you understand the latest risks, tools, and strategies for keeping your fleet safe, compliant, and profitable.

In this packed episode, Cross-Border Expert Noi Mahoney joins the show to break down the massive news regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential tariff powers, discussing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and what this means for the 2026 trade outlook and cross-border freight flows.

Next, Martin Murtland, Vice President of Product at Fleetworthy, introduces Toll360—an AI-driven toll intelligence platform. He explains how fleets are quietly losing money to toll leaks, why tolling is more than just a compliance headache, and how predicting costs can drive serious operational efficiency.

Finally, Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President at OOIDA, tackles one of the biggest safety and regulatory issues in trucking today: chameleon carriers. Lewie walks us through how these carriers evade enforcement, the systemic risks highlighted by the recent Indiana crash, and the congressional actions proposed to stop these networks for good.

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As volatility continues into early 2026, Craig Fuller, CEO and founder of FreightWaves and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR break down what’s changing, what’s staying stubbornly uncertain, and what it all means for shippers, carriers, and brokers planning ahead.

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Chameleon carriers.
Shut down one DOT number.
Open another.
Same trucks. Same players. New identity.
In this episode of Brake Check, we expose how some carriers are exploiting loopholes to dodge accountability  and how that behavior impacts insurance rates, broker trust, and the reputation of every honest operator on the road.
We break down:
• What a “chameleon carrier” really is
• How DOT number resets happen
• The safety and insurance consequences
• Why compliant small carriers pay the price
• What enforcement agencies are doing about it
• How brokers and technology platforms are fighting back
Featuring conversations with:
• Lewie Pugh, EVP of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
• Dan Lindsey from the Broker Carrier Summit
This isn’t about attacking small carriers.
It’s about protecting honest ones.
Because a new DOT number should not be a reset button.
If you run clean, this conversation matters to you.
#Trucking #FreightNews #DOT #CarrierCompliance #BrokerCarrier #SupplyChain #BrakeCheck

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Aftertreatment failures don’t usually show up as one big catastrophic bill — they show up as downtime, repeat derates, misdiagnosed parts, and decisions made under financial stress.

In this episode of The Long Haul Podcast, I sit down with RJ Bordner to break down the real-world economics of aftertreatment from the perspective small carriers actually live with. We talk about post-warranty realities, OEM versus aftermarket tradeoffs, inventory delays, technician variability, and why “good enough” often ends up being the most expensive choice.

This is not a product conversation.This is a decision-quality conversation for owner-operators and small fleets trying to stay moving in a market where every parked truck hurts.

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Norfolk Southern and CMA CGM have announced a partnership to launch a new "truck-like" intermodal service connecting the Port of Los Angeles to key Midwest markets. This door-to-door option utilizes high-cube containers to offer the flexibility of trucking while reducing emissions through the rail network.

Federal investigators are cracking down on safety violations with a massive sting operation targeting sham CDL training schools across the United States. The FMCSA has issued notices to more than 500 providers accused of using unqualified instructors and fast-tracking unprepared drivers onto the road.

FedEx is signaling a major shift in strategy by doubling down on premium surcharges and moving away from subsidized low-cost shipping. The company plans to prioritize high-margin sectors like healthcare and heavyweight goods to drive profitability over volume.

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Malcolm kicks off the show with a look at current headlines, including UPS’s optimization plan to close 22 sortation centers and the FMCSA’s crackdown on CDL non-compliance in Illinois. The segment also highlights rising cargo theft data, noting that California and Texas accounted for 58% of US incidents in 2025. Headlines are followed up with two great interviews.

Robert Nathan, Co-founder and CEO of Envoy AI, shares insights from his 20-year career that began in the warehouse and led to building a top-50 freight brokerage. He emphasizes the need for a shift toward human-centric technology, specifically building “carrier copilots” that empower the individual user rather than just the enterprise. Nathan also highlights the reality of systemic margin compression, advising brokerages to prepare for a future where they must operate profitably at margins as low as 7%.

Following Nathan, Chris Torrence, Chief Strategy Officer at MapUp, brings a perspective shaped by military logistics and over 25 years in the industry. Torrence argues against the “pressure cooker” mentality of transactional sales, advocating instead for the cultivation of “reputation capital” and long-term relationships. He stresses the importance of personal branding and authenticity, noting that while technology can always be replicated, the trust built through genuine human connection remains the ultimate differentiator in a crowded market.

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A new report reveals that California and Texas accounted for more than half of all U.S. cargo theft incidents last year, with electronics remaining a top target for criminals. Thieves are increasingly utilizing deceptive pickup tactics to steal loads, a trend experts warn is expected to accelerate through 2026.

The massive merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern faces another delay as the railroads plan to refile their application with federal regulators later this spring. This postponement comes amidst growing political pressure and concerns from state attorneys general that the deal could stifle competition and raise prices.

Shipping giant UPS is moving forward with its restructuring plans by identifying 22 package facilities for closure as it seeks to automate operations and cut costs. The company is also facing legal challenges from the Teamsters Union over its attempt to offer voluntary buyouts to thousands of drivers.

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On this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson sits down with Steve Oliver of Taylor and Martin to unpack how shifting freight rates, tariff uncertainty, and lower diesel prices are reshaping the new and used truck markets. They explore how auction activity offers real-time insight into freight trends, why equipment scarcity is driving values higher, and how small and midsize fleets are positioning themselves for growth as optimism returns. Oliver also shares details on Taylor and Martin’s expanding auction footprint, major fleet dispersals, and a newly launched engine protection plan designed to give buyers added confidence in today’s evolving market.

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Is trucking entering a new era?

In this episode of Brake Check on FreightWaves, we examine two forces shaping the future of freight workforce development and legal accountability.

First, Lindsey Trent of the Next Generation in Trucking Association joins us to discuss the mission of the next generation in trucking. Are we finally fixing the pipeline? What are we getting right  and where are we still missing the mark?

Then we turn to the Supreme Court ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC with Shannon Everett of American Truckers United.

We break down:• What the ruling actually means • Whether broker immunity is narrowing • Insurance and liability ripple effects • The impact on small carriers • Non-domiciled CDL concerns • Whether this strengthens accountability  or destabilizes freight

This episode connects the next generation entering trucking with the legal framework they’re stepping into.

Because when liability shifts, capital shifts.

When capital shifts, freight shifts.

Welcome to Brake Check.

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In this episode, we cover the major consolidation in ocean shipping as Hapag-Lloyd agrees to⁠ acquire ZIM Integrated Shipping Services⁠ in a deal valued at $4.2 billion. This acquisition includes the creation of a new entity to manage security-critical vessels and is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

We also discuss the growing political opposition to the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. A coalition of attorneys general is calling on the Department of Justice⁠ to intervene in the deal⁠, arguing that the creation of a rail behemoth will harm competition and drive up costs.

Finally, we look at new federal legislation that aims to bring relief to truckers by⁠ capping state fuel taxes⁠ at 50 cents per gallon. States like California and Pennsylvania that do not comply could face significant cuts to their federal highway funding if the bill passes.

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