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Diesel down, rates up in limited fashion with seasonal reefer lull Diesel prices eased during the latest reporting week, but the decline did little to change the cost picture for truck drivers and carriers. At the same time, truckload spot rates moved higher in limited fashion, with most of the increase coming from fuel rather…
Kodiak taps IKEA to launch driverless freight on I-45 Kodiak AI plans to begin unsupervised driverless long-haul freight service for IKEA by the end of 2026, making the retailer the company’s first launch shipper for operations with no human in the cab. The initial driverless segment will cover 219 miles, primarily along Interstate 45 between…
PlusAI targets year-end close on $800M Texas Ventures SPAC Autonomous trucking developer PlusAI expects to complete its merger with Texas Ventures Acquisition III Corp. by the end of the year, co-founder and CEO David Liu told FreightWaves. The transaction, announced Sept. 3, values PlusAI at approximately $800 million before new capital. If completed, the combined…
Federal prosecutors have charged former trucking business owner Kristopher Lunsford in an alleged semi-truck investment fraud scheme that collected more than $105 million from hundreds of investors nationwide. Investors Promised Weekly Payments Lunsford, 46, of Henderson, Nevada, formerly of Georgia, faces six counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. The indictment was…
JBL Clip 5 Bluetooth speaker small but mighty JBL’s Clip 5 portable Bluetooth speaker is being promoted through several retailers and deal pages as a compact audio option for people who spend long hours away from home, including professional drivers. The speaker is small enough to fit in one hand, but its design is aimed…
Two Southern California men were convicted by a federal jury for their roles in a cargo theft scheme that prosecutors said used legitimate trucking companies to obtain shipping contracts and steal more than $2 million in freight from warehouses. Legitimate Carriers Used to Obtain Loads According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District…
Trimble Still Evaluating Possible Sale of Transportation Technology Business Trimble is continuing to evaluate a possible sale of its transportation technology business after potential buyers expressed interest, according to reporting cited by Axios. The company is working with Goldman Sachs on the review, although no buyer has been identified and there is no indication that…
Federal safety investigations, commercial vehicle inspections, bankruptcy filings and legal disputes are among the latest developments affecting the trucking industry. The updates also include a new safety campaign and research into hours-of-service and electronic logging device requirements. NHTSA Investigates False Automatic Braking Activations Truck drivers have raised concerns that advanced emergency braking systems could unexpectedly…
Fresno County voters will decide whether to approve Measure S, a proposed transportation sales tax expected to fund road repairs, transit and congestion-related projects. Supporters say the measure would provide a dedicated source of transportation revenue, while opponents argue it would not do enough to address the region’s growing traffic and infrastructure needs. Road repairs…
States are taking different approaches to ease the impact of elevated diesel prices on trucking, including temporary fuel-tax measures, expanded use of dyed diesel in Texas and proposed relief programs for carriers and farmers. The changes vary by state, and some do not eliminate the underlying fuel-tax obligations. Georgia fuel-tax holiday affects IFTA reporting State…
How much of your trucking income gets left in your pocket? Fuel, vehicle fees, income taxes and business deductions will all play a role in how much trucking income remains after expenses in 2026. Several states are changing tax rates and fees in January, while voters in at least two states will consider income-tax measures…
AI’s buzz in trucking is justified, Trimble panel says Artificial intelligence drew strong support — along with several warnings about how it should be used — at Trimble’s Insight 2026 conference in San Diego. Executives and industry leaders at the conference said AI is already producing practical results in areas such as customer service, rate…
DoorDash expands into retail returns with in-house drone delivery program DoorDash is expanding beyond on-demand food and retail delivery with two new services: a retail returns offering that uses its existing driver network and an in-house drone program for short-distance deliveries. The announcements were made Wednesday at DoorDash’s Dash Forward event in San Francisco. Together,…
Several states are taking steps to reduce fuel-related costs for motorists and commercial operators as diesel prices remain elevated, but the relief varies by state and does not always include heavy-duty truck fuel. Measures in Georgia, Texas and Ohio include tax changes, temporary fuel-use permissions and proposed diesel-tax suspensions. Georgia fuel tax holiday excludes diesel…
Freight volume out of sync with ports’ import activity U.S. retailers are preparing for a solid holiday sales season while pulling back on new imports, creating a widening gap between consumer demand, port activity and the freight available to move over the road. The latest Global Port Tracker from Hackett Associates and the National Retail…
Virginia has approved a 30-day emergency trucking waiver to help move hay to livestock producers affected by drought. The order eases certain hours-of-service and highway-width restrictions beginning Oct. 1, allowing larger and more frequent hay shipments before the onset of freezing weather. Waiver targets emergency hay deliveries The temporary measure is intended to reduce transportation…
Two found guilty after using legitimate trucking companies to steal $2 million in cargo A federal jury has convicted two California men for their roles in a cargo theft scheme that used legitimate trucking companies to obtain shipping contracts and divert loads from warehouses in Southern California and Texas. Arshpreet Singh, 28, of Sacramento, and…
A federal jury has convicted two Indian nationals in a cargo theft conspiracy that prosecutors said used legitimate trucking companies to obtain shipping contracts and steal at least $2 million worth of freight from warehouses in Southern California and Texas. Companies Used to Secure Shipping Contracts According to evidence presented during a seven-day trial, the…
Six family-owned trucking companies have filed a civil RICO lawsuit against C.H. Robinson and Total Quality Logistics, alleging the freight brokers worked with illegal “chameleon” carriers to secure lower rates and push compliant motor carriers out of the market. Complaint alleges coordinated carrier network The lawsuit claims C.H. Robinson and TQL directed long-haul freight to…
New motor carrier vetting guidance is urging brokers and shippers to apply consistent verification procedures when selecting trucking companies, particularly as fraud and cargo theft threats continue to affect freight transactions. Guidance focuses on carrier selection The Motor Carrier Selection Guidance identifies circumstances in which a carrier should not be offered freight. While some disqualifying…
As Diesel Prices Soar, How Much Relief Is on the Horizon? States are responding to rising diesel prices, but the available information does not yet identify which states are offering relief, how much drivers may save, or when any assistance will take effect. For professional truck drivers, the issue is immediate. Diesel is one of…
Per diem: One approach is stable, while another is higher Truck drivers and motor carriers will see two different changes in federal per diem rates for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The Internal Revenue Service will leave its transportation-specific meals and incidental expense rate unchanged, while increasing the rates used under the High-Low Substantiation…
Trimble keeps freight business sale on the table while unveiling new AI tools Trimble is continuing to evaluate the future of its transportation and logistics business, even as it rolls out new artificial intelligence tools for fleets, carriers and other freight companies. CEO Rob Painter said Monday at Trimble’s Insight 2026 conference in San Diego…
Virginia is temporarily easing certain trucking restrictions to help move emergency hay to livestock producers affected by drought. The 30-day waiver begins Oct. 1 and is intended to support out-of-state hay deliveries before colder weather arrives. Waiver targets emergency hay shipments The transportation waiver relaxes highway width restrictions and provides hours-of-service relief for qualifying hay…
Five finalists named for Transition Trucking award honoring military veterans Five military veterans who recently entered the professional trucking industry have been selected as finalists for the 11th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award. The finalists were announced by Kenworth Truck Company, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program….
An Arizona Department of Public Safety inspection found that a truck hauling an oversize load was being operated by a driver without a valid commercial driver’s license and had multiple severely damaged tires, according to the agency. Inspection Finds Severe Tire Damage AZDPS said several of the truck’s tires were in “horrifically unsafe” condition. The…
Trucking leaders move forward with MCE 2026 in Charlotte Trucking leaders are moving ahead with plans for the American Trucking Associations’ 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina. ATA President Greg Hodgen described the annual event as “invaluable for both professional growth and business success.” His comments underscore the conference’s role as a…
New motor carrier vetting guidance emphasizes that brokers and shippers should use consistent verification procedures when evaluating carriers, particularly when a carrier does not meet clearly defined safety or qualification standards. Guidance outlines carrier selection standards The Motor Carrier Selection Guidance identifies circumstances in which a carrier should not be offered freight. While some disqualifying…
Trucking companies and drivers continue to face financial pressure from high fuel prices, insurance, maintenance, labor, tolls and taxes, while a wave of carrier bankruptcies highlights the limited financial cushion in parts of the industry. Rising costs are changing driving decisions Truck drivers in Nevada told KTVN-TV in Reno that elevated fuel costs have affected…
FMCSA Withholds Funding From California and New York Over Non-Domiciled CDL Compliance The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has withheld funding from California and New York, alleging that the states failed to comply with federal requirements governing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses. Both states have challenged the agency’s action in court. Dispute Centers on CDL Eligibility…
Fatal crash under investigation A fatal crash involving a passenger vehicle and a truck is under investigation, but few details are available about the incident. The information provided does not identify the location, the time of the collision, the number of people involved or the circumstances that led to the crash. Investigations into crashes involving…
Freight Tech Isn’t Dead – It’s Getting Picked Apart More Than Ever Freight technology companies are still attracting investment, but the standards for earning that investment have become more demanding. Craig Dickman of TitletownTech discussed the changing market, startup failures and the qualities that matter most when evaluating logistics technology during an appearance on FreightWaves…
Lowe’s Tests Drone Delivery for Small, Urgent Home-Improvement Items Lowe’s is testing drone delivery as it looks to provide faster same-day service for customers who need small items to finish a home-improvement project. The home-improvement retailer launched a pilot program Thursday at its store in Matthews, North Carolina, in partnership with DoorDash and Alphabet’s Wing….
Officials are seeking answers after a fatal crash in Ohio raised questions about the driver’s commercial licensing history and the safety of tolling operations on the Ohio Turnpike. Investigators determined that an SUV driver’s deceleration and lane change were the probable cause of the collision. NTSB Cites Tolling-Lane Safety Concerns National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman…
Oil Prices Jump Past $100 After Trump Rejects Iran Proposal Crude oil prices moved above $100 after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to the information available. The increase in oil prices is weighing on U.S. futures, adding another cost concern for the trucking industry and other fuel-dependent…
New motor carrier selection guidance is urging brokers and shippers to apply consistent verification procedures when evaluating carriers, particularly as fraud and cargo theft attempts become more sophisticated. The guidance identifies carriers that should not be offered freight while emphasizing additional review for those that do not meet an automatic disqualifier. Guidance Focuses on Carrier…
Trucking’s recovery continues to hinge on tighter capacity The trucking market showed another month of softer freight activity as the American Trucking Associations’ For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 0.5% from July to 112.7. The July reading was 113.3. The index also declined 1.6% compared with the same period a year earlier. The latest figures indicate…
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking up to nine truck carriers to participate in a voluntary test of electronic export manifests designed to improve cargo visibility and efficiency at U.S. border crossings. Two-Year Test Scheduled to Begin in 2026 CBP said the Automated Commercial Environment Electronic Export Manifest for Truck Cargo Test is scheduled…
Rising fuel and operating costs are prompting some trucking companies to shut down, according to Tom Crawford, president and CEO of a trucking association. Crawford said the organization has received closure notices and has also heard directly from carriers that have decided to leave the industry. Carriers face mounting costs Crawford said the cost of…
A Colorado Department of Transportation study found that 73% of state residents say they speed on main highways at least some of the time, highlighting widespread acceptance of exceeding posted limits among drivers. Speeding Reported Across Colorado CDOT’s newly released Driving Behavior Report examined driver attitudes and reported behaviors related to speed. The survey found…
Specialty Wine and Car Parts: U.S.-Canada Trade Fight Reaches Freight Network The trade dispute between the United States and Canada escalated in September when the U.S. announced an outright ban on certain Canadian imports, including dairy products, alcohol and large-displacement motorcycles. The ban was scheduled to take effect Sept. 29, replacing a 50% tariff on…
Union Pacific begins battery-electric locomotive testing in Southern California Union Pacific has begun testing two battery-electric locomotives in Southern California, bringing diesel-alternative power into one of the busiest and most demanding freight regions in the United States. The two locomotives, built by Wabtec, are the first units delivered under Union Pacific’s four-locomotive FLXdrive order. The…
STB Names Former BNSF Executive Economics Director, Adds Senior Adviser The Surface Transportation Board has appointed Marty Schlenker as director of its Office of Economics and Terrence McDermott as senior adviser to Chairman Patrick Fuchs. The appointments add two longtime railroad and transportation industry executives to the agency as it manages major matters involving rail…
# Utah Appeal Arrives Without Its Story The Utah Court of Appeals docket identifies **Natural Choice LLC** as the appellant in a case brought by Kirk Wade Coombs and several ranching and trucking-related businesses. But the excerpt provided contains only the case caption—not the court’s analysis, ruling, or explanation of the dispute. That means the…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to make out-of-service orders for commercial drivers who fail federal English-proficiency requirements a permanent enforcement policy. The proposal has drawn support from truck drivers as federal agencies increase scrutiny of driver qualification and commercial licensing practices. English-proficiency enforcement expanded in 2025 English-language proficiency has long been part…