Federal Officers Seize Over 1,000 Pounds of Cocaine Hidden in Commercial Truck Floorboards at Calexico Port of Entry Federal authorities recovered more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine concealed beneath the floorboards of a commercial truck and attached flatbed trailer during an inspection at California’s Calexico Port of Entry. The seizure, valued at more than $20…
Three men were arrested in DuPage County, Illinois, after authorities recovered five automated license plate reader cameras that had been stolen and damaged over the weekend. Incident Details Downers Grove police responded to reports of tampering with Flock Safety cameras and found two suspects leaving the scene with the equipment. Officers recovered the five cameras…
Brandon Wins Appeal Over Trucker Termination The Indiana Court of Appeals has revived a fired truck driver’s lawsuit, ruling that a company cannot dodge liability by claiming it never knew its dispatcher encouraged the driver to falsify hours. In a 2-1 decision, the court held that Caregan Transport can still be held responsible for the…
Spot freight rates for dry vans and reefers remain well above year-ago levels despite a modest weekly decline, according to the latest market data compiled by DAT Solutions. Current Spot Rates Dry van linehaul rates averaged $2.38 per mile this week, a 2.5% drop—or $0.06 per mile—from the previous week. Reefer rates averaged $3.39 per…
**Truck Stop Wins Fuel Dispute, Trucking Firm Loses Appeal** A Texas appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling against a trucking company that claimed a truck stop overcharged it for fuel and damaged its trucks. The decision leaves Walk Miles Trucking and its owner on the hook for the full amount owed. The case began…
A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would establish federal criminal penalties for staging collisions with commercial motor vehicles, targeting organized fraud schemes that involve drivers, attorneys, and medical professionals. Staged Accident Prevention Act Introduced Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) introduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act this week. The measure would make it a federal crime…
**Logistics Firm Must Pay for Worker’s Spine Surgery** A Tennessee appeals board ruled that Capstone Logistics must cover lumbar fusion surgery for employee Kathy Goad, even though doctors disagree on how much her workplace injury contributed to her need for the operation. The board also rejected her request for extra temporary disability pay. Goad hurt…
Charlotte-area transportation officials are scheduled to revisit a long-stalled proposal to add toll lanes along Interstate 77 South, raising the possibility that the project could be revived after previously being dropped. Background on the I-77 South Project The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization had previously withdrawn its support for the toll-lane plan. Members are now…
The trucking industry now has a new data point for measuring accepted freight demand. SONAR has introduced the Accepted SONAR Truckload Volume Index (ASTVI), which tracks the volume of truckload freight that clears the tender process and moves, rather than being rejected. New Index Isolates Accepted Freight Traditional tender-acceptance rates have long indicated market stress,…
**First Circuit Strikes Down Rhode Island Dealer Law** The First Circuit ruled that Rhode Island cannot force Daimler Trucks to keep selling through a local dealer when most of the dealership’s customers and operations cross state lines. The decision blocks enforcement of a state statute that would have required Daimler to maintain its relationship with…
**Kentucky Appeals Court Revives Trucker’s Negligent Hiring Claim** A Kentucky appeals court has ruled that a truck driver’s lawsuit against a logistics company can move forward, rejecting the lower court’s decision to dismiss the case on the pleadings. The ruling means Integrity Express Logistics must now defend allegations that it negligently hired or selected a…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a final rule strengthening verification requirements for non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses, citing widespread gaps in state-level screening that have allowed unqualified drivers to remain on the road. Rule Targets Licensing Gaps FMCSA stated that domestic CDL applicants undergo rigorous checks through the Commercial Driver’s License Information System…
**Federal Appeals Court Backs Ridge Wallet Patents** The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld patents held by Ridge Corp. and Cold Chain, LLC against Kirk Nationalease Co. and two other defendants. The July 13, 2026 ruling affirms that the companies infringed Ridge’s rights in specialized cold-chain equipment, confirming a lower court win…
**Court Limits Insurer Payouts in Fatal Louisiana Crash** Louisiana’s Second Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that multiple insurers cannot be forced to pay more than their stated policy limits in a deadly 2022 truck crash, even when several companies are involved. The decision protects insurers from stacking coverage beyond what they agreed to write. The…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expanding access to driver violation records through the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, with phased implementation scheduled to continue into 2026. The changes aim to improve transparency and accountability in the commercial motor vehicle industry. Clearinghouse Expansion Underway Phase I of the expanded access began in December 2025 and…
Daimler Keeps Power to Add Dealers A federal appeals court ruled that Daimler Trucks North America can add new dealers in Rhode Island without asking its existing franchisee. The First Circuit upheld summary judgment for Daimler, finding the company’s franchise agreement gave it clear authority to decide when extra dealers were needed. Rhode Island Truck…
**Court Upholds PennDOT License Suspension After DUI** The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that Margaret Burns cannot get her driver’s license back after a DUI conviction, even though she completed her criminal sentence. The court said the two-year suspension is a civil penalty that stands on its own. Burns was convicted of driving under the…
The Georgia Department of Transportation has completed the $126 million Brampton Road Connector, a new four-lane highway that provides direct access from Garden City Terminal’s Gate 3 to the interstate system while eliminating at-grade rail crossings and local truck traffic. Project Overview The Brampton Road Connector was developed to improve freight flow at the Port…
A federal appeals court decision and recent high-profile lawsuits have intensified scrutiny over how brokers select carriers and verify their safety and insurance status. Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Industry Ripple Effects In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that brokers may be held liable for hiring unsafe carriers. Since the decision, several cases have moved…
Federal prosecutors have charged eight individuals in connection with an alleged international cargo theft conspiracy that targeted high-value merchandise across multiple states. Charges and Defendants The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI announced the indictment of eight defendants: Vagan Gulian, Zhirayr Gumruyan, Sevak Kocharian, Araik Setrakian, Vitaly Koshelan, Arkadiy…
**Eighth Circuit Kills $124K OSHA Fine Collection Bid** The Eighth Circuit ruled that OSHA waited too long to collect a $124,000 safety fine from I-44 Truck Center & Wrecker Service. The court threw out the government’s debt-collection lawsuit as time-barred under the Debt Collection Improvement Act. The case began when OSHA tried to force payment…
**Oregon Court Backs State in Land Dispute** The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that the state Department of Transportation properly handled a property dispute involving Jim Atwood and his trust. The court affirmed the lower decision, finding no legal error in how ODOT managed the claim. The case began when Atwood, acting as trustee and…
**Florida Appeals Court Revives Trucker Injury Lawsuit** A Florida appeals court ruled that a personal injury lawsuit against Hub Group Trucking and two of its drivers can move forward, reversing a lower court’s decision to dismiss the case. The ruling means Pedro Batista, Juan Arias, and Stephanie Rubio now get their day in court over…
Federal regulators have temporarily suspended enforcement actions tied to the inactivation of USDOT numbers for motor carriers that have fallen behind on required biennial updates. FMCSA Pauses Inactivation Process The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) halted the inactivation of USDOT numbers while carriers address ongoing access issues with the agency’s new Motus registration portal….
**Perdue Farms Wins Reversal in Chemical Delivery Suit** The Indiana Court of Appeals overturned a trial court decision that had dismissed Perdue Farms’ negligence claims against L&B Transport and several security guards. The ruling clears the way for the poultry company to pursue damages after a wrong chemical was delivered to its plant, damaging equipment….
Eighth Circuit Kills $124K OSHA Debt Collection The Eighth Circuit ruled the government waited too long to sue I-44 Truck Center & Wrecker Service over a $124,000 OSHA fine, tossing the case as time-barred under federal debt-collection deadlines. OSHA issued the fine after a 2017 inspection of the Missouri repair shop found violations tied to…
Atwood Wins Remand in Highway Dispute Oregon’s Court of Appeals handed property owner Jim Atwood a second chance to challenge the state’s handling of a highway project that cut across land he controls. The July 1 ruling sends the case back to the trial court for fresh review of whether the Department of Transportation followed…
Lloyd’s Insurers Lose Rail Damage Appeal A federal appeals court ruled that Lloyd’s of London insurers cannot recover from two railroads after a train derailment damaged cargo. The decision bars the insurers from stepping into the shoes of their policyholder to sue CSX and Evansville Western. The case began when a railcar carrying industrial goods…
**Rail Insurers Lose Bid to Dodge Cargo Damage Claims** The Seventh Circuit ruled that Lloyd’s underwriters must honor cargo insurance policies and cannot force railroads to shoulder losses from damaged freight shipments. The decision blocks insurers from shifting blame onto carriers after paying claims. The dispute arose when goods traveling by rail suffered damage. Lloyd’s…
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring significant operational and financial pressures to host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, according to multiple industry reports on costs, logistics, and travel impacts. Host City Cost Overruns Local governments are absorbing the majority of expenses related to transportation, security, and event infrastructure, while FIFA retains…
Fraud risks tied to identity manipulation and automated attacks are expected to grow in 2026, according to industry forecasts. The trend is prompting increased investment in fraud detection systems across multiple sectors, including transportation and logistics. Market Growth in Fraud Detection The global fraud detection and prevention market reached $35.3 billion in 2025. It is…
An Oklahoma father’s decision to take his two young daughters into a women’s restroom at an Alabama gas station has sparked widespread discussion about public restroom access for families traveling with children. Incident Overview Robert Buckner recorded the encounter on video after a bystander confronted him while he assisted his daughters in the women’s restroom….
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse continues to shape how motor carriers and drivers manage drug and alcohol violations. Employers must understand their responsibilities under the system, including when and how to conduct queries, report violations, and prepare for upcoming compliance changes scheduled for 2026. Employer Responsibilities Motor carriers are required to register…
American Eagle Wins Appeal Over Towing Dispute A Florida appeals court revived American Eagle Towing’s lawsuit against Inter Freight, ruling the trial judge wrongly tossed the case before evidence could be heard. The decision keeps alive claims that the freight company failed to pay for towing and storage services after a crash. The dispute began…
**Broker Liability Case Heads to Ohio Supreme Court** The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to review whether Interactive Brokers can be held responsible when a customer claims an online trading platform failed to prevent unauthorized or reckless trading. The court’s acceptance of the appeal sets up a major test of how far brokerage firms must…
European transport authorities are reportedly increasing enforcement of footwear standards for commercial drivers, according to social media posts circulating this week. The claims suggest that drivers wearing improper footwear, such as flip-flops, may face fines of up to €2,500, or approximately $2,900. Details of the Reported Enforcement The Monday, June 15 post warned that “DOT…
**Georgia Court Kills Trucking Appeal Over Missed Deadline** A Georgia appeals court threw out Four Seasons Trucking’s case against Yates Insurance Agency because the company never filed its brief on time. The trucking firm had sued its insurance agency and lost in the lower court. It tried to appeal, but the documents explaining what the…
American Eagle Towing Loses Bid to Block Inter Freight Suit A Florida appeals court let a lawsuit against towing company American Eagle Towing move forward, ruling the lower court can decide whether the company must face claims from freight hauler Inter Freight over an alleged unpaid tow bill. The dispute began when Inter Freight hired…
Yakima emerged as a modest rate gainer this week, with Northeast-bound lanes showing slight increases even as markets in Florida and South Texas eased and California remained unchanged. Regional Rate Movement While broader freight markets in Florida and South Texas posted corrections and California held steady, Yakima recorded consistent, if limited, upward movement on lanes…
Artificial intelligence adoption in freight and logistics has moved from pilot projects to operational necessity, with leading supply chain organizations now using AI to improve planning, visibility, and decision-making. Industry executives say high-quality, real-time data is the foundation of current logistics performance, and platforms that integrate AI into transportation management systems are widening the performance…
Waddle Trucking Hit With New Trial Over Crash Georgia’s Court of Appeals has ordered a new trial in a deadly wreck case, ruling that the trial judge wrongly blocked evidence showing the driver’s fatigue and the company’s hiring practices. Aileen Johnson and Sarah Bryant sued Waddle Trucking of Mississippi after a tractor-trailer driven by a…
**Ohio Appeals Court Upholds Broker Win in Commission Dispute** The Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Broker’s Alliance of Ohio, ending Erin Fairbanks’ bid to recover unpaid commissions. The panel found no evidence that the brokerage owed her money under their agreement. Fairbanks worked as an insurance agent placing business through Broker’s Alliance….
Yakima Valley agricultural markets are showing signs of stabilization as the region transitions into the busy cherry harvest season. A recent freight market update indicates that Yakima has shifted from a slight truck capacity shortage to adequate availability, a change that could influence carrier rates on key Pacific Northwest lanes. Freight Market Conditions in Yakima…
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has lowered its forecast for global oil demand in 2026, citing elevated fuel prices, tightening supply, and government-led conservation measures following ongoing disruptions in the Middle East. Inventory Drawdown Accelerates According to the agency’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, OECD total liquid fuels inventories are projected to fall to just under…
A Philadelphia liquor distributor reported the theft of approximately 1,800 cases of Noble Oak Bourbon from a North Philadelphia warehouse on June 5 in a daylight operation that company officials described as a coordinated cargo theft. Details of the Incident The theft occurred between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at a facility operated by A21…