The U.S. labor market showed signs of cooling in May, with the Department of Labor reporting slower job growth and a steady unemployment rate. At the same time, several trucking and logistics firms are navigating workforce reductions, regulatory shifts, and capacity constraints that continue to shape industry conditions. Employment Trends Signal Slowing Growth The Labor…
Ninth Circuit Backs Feds Over California Break Rules The Ninth Circuit upheld a federal ruling that California’s meal and rest break rules cannot apply to drivers of passenger buses and other commercial passenger vehicles. California’s attorney general and labor commissioner had asked the court to overturn the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2020 preemption decision,…
**Railroad Loses Bid to Block Town’s Land Claim** The D.C. Circuit upheld the Surface Transportation Board’s refusal to declare federal law supreme over a Massachusetts town’s right-of-first-refusal claim on forest land the Grafton & Upton Railroad wants for new track. The court ruled that ICCTA preemption does not block the town’s state-court suit to enforce…
A provision in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s newly introduced highway bill seeks to address predatory lease-purchase agreements that have long placed independent truckers at financial risk. Lease-Purchase Agreements Targeted The measure would prohibit certain lease-purchase contracts that have been criticized for locking drivers into unfavorable financing terms for equipment. Supporters say the change…
California citrus shippers saw freight rates fall sharply this week after a dramatic surge last week on several key produce lanes. Rate Correction Follows Sharp Gains Last week, rates climbed steeply on multiple California-to-East Coast corridors, including a 36% jump from Salinas to New York and a 66% increase from Santa Maria to New York….
**Florida Appeals Court Backs Insurer in Assignment Dispute** A Florida appeals court ruled that Citizens Property Insurance Corporation can challenge an insurance claim assignment even after paying part of the claim. The decision overturns a lower court ruling and strengthens insurers’ ability to fight questionable transfers of benefits. The case started when homeowner Dwayne Strong…
The nation’s largest freight broker, C.H. Robinson, has begun tightening its motor carrier acceptance standards following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that opened brokers to potential liability for negligent hiring of unsafe carriers. Supreme Court Ruling In a unanimous decision earlier this month, the Supreme Court ruled that state-law negligence claims against freight brokers…
**Penske Wins Pension Withdrawal Fight on Appeal** The Seventh Circuit ruled that Penske Truck Leasing does not owe withdrawal liability to the Central States pension fund after a 2018 asset sale. The court affirmed the lower court’s decision that the transaction qualified for an exemption, ending the fund’s attempt to collect millions in pension obligations….
**Seventh Circuit Sides with Pension Fund in Penske Dispute** The Seventh Circuit upheld a district court decision rejecting Penske Truck Leasing’s attempt to escape withdrawal liability to a union pension plan. The appeals court ruled that the trucking company must continue making payments under the Central States pension fund’s calculation, rejecting arguments that the fund’s…
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation authorizing New York City to require certain repeat speeding offenders to install Intelligent Speed Assistance devices in their vehicles. Legislation Targets Repeat Camera Violations The new law, known as the “Super Speeder Crackdown,” applies to drivers who accumulate 16 or more speeding violations captured by school zone…
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will restrict empty commercial truck crossings from Mexico into Eagle Pass, Texas, to afternoon hours beginning Monday. The change is intended to manage traffic flow at the busy border crossing amid ongoing operational adjustments. Reefer Freight Rates Hold Steady Reefer freight rates are averaging $3.13 per mile as of April…
Mexico Export Gains Face Pressure From Tariffs and Supply Chain Issues U.S. tariffs proposed by President Donald Trump are creating new challenges for Mexico’s manufacturing sector, which had seen steady growth in recent years as companies expanded operations south of the border. Industry observers note that Mexico had become an increasingly important export destination for…
**Court Allows Insurance Poaching Suit to Move Forward** The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that Relation Insurance can pursue claims against a rival firm and nine former employees accused of stealing clients and confidential data. The decision keeps the case alive and sends it back for trial. The trouble began when Pilot Risk Management Consulting…
GAF Applies AI Tools to Supply Chain Network Planning Marianna Vydrevich of GAF has described how the roofing manufacturer is using artificial intelligence to support supply chain decision-making. The company is applying AI-powered analytics to automate certain workflows, adjust inventory levels, and simulate potential disruptions across its distribution network. GAF produces roofing materials at multiple…
Voltera to Merge With Revel, Uniting EV Charging Networks Voltera and Revel have agreed to combine their operations, creating a single company focused on electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The merger is intended to link two separate charging networks under one structure. The new entity will continue to develop charging stations with a focus on supporting…
Seasonality Pushing Rejections and Rates Higher Ahead of the Fourth Carrier negotiating power strengthened this week according to the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index, which rose from 70 last week to 75. The index measures carrier leverage in rate negotiations using FreightWaves SONAR data. The three-month outlook for the index stands at 70, indicating…
U.S. Companies Stay Quiet on Tariff Refunds American companies are navigating a complex situation involving approximately $166 billion in potential tariff refunds tied to import taxes implemented during the previous administration. The process of seeking these refunds carries both legal and political considerations that many firms appear to be weighing carefully before taking action. The…
Trucker Pleads Not Guilty Following Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash A commercial driver has entered a not guilty plea to multiple felony charges stemming from a fatal hit-and-run incident in California. The case has drawn attention from federal immigration authorities as well as state prosecutors. According to court records, the driver faces several felony counts related to…
Cummins Expects X10 to Lift Heavy-Duty Truck Engine Share Cummins president of engine business Brett Merritt stated that the company’s X10 engine opens another market segment during the firm’s recent investor day presentation. The comment was made to analysts and investors as part of a broader discussion on Cummins’ product lineup and future positioning in…
Lawmakers in several states are advancing new measures to increase penalties for protesters who deliberately block roadways and disrupt traffic flow. South Dakota set an early precedent in 2017 when it enacted legislation that established specific criminal penalties for such actions, shifting what had previously been treated as general traffic violations into more serious offenses….
BP’s Ousted Chair Says He Was Fired Without Explanation Helge Lund, former non-executive chair of BP, has stated that the company removed him from his position without providing a clear explanation for the decision. In a public statement issued after his departure, Lund disputed the company’s account of events and indicated he would not accept…
FedEx Freight Donation Restarts CDL Program at UA Northark FedEx Freight has donated tractors and trailers to the University of Arkansas Northark campus, allowing the school to restart its commercial driver’s license training program this fall. The equipment arrives after the program had been on hold for 18 months. Without operational trucks and trailers on…
What Is the Lowest-Cost Regional Freight Format? Eyal Cohen, CEO of Humble Robotics, states that a battery-electric, cabless Class 8 autonomous vehicle offers the lowest operating cost for moving freight over short distances. The claim focuses on regional freight rather than long-haul operations. Short-distance routes typically involve repeated stops, lower average speeds, and higher idle…
Oil Prices Climb Over Disruptions Around Strait of Hormuz Brent crude, the international standard, rose 1% to settle at $103.60 a barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude rose 0.4% to $96.68 per barrel after recovering from an earlier modest dip. The increase follows reported disruptions in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that…
Leading roofing manufacturer uses AI to speed network optimization GAF, a major roofing manufacturer, is applying AI-powered analytics to improve its supply chain operations. The company’s Marianna Vydrevich stated that the tools are assisting supply chain teams with automating workflows, optimizing inventory levels, and modeling potential disruptions. The initiative focuses on using data-driven methods to…
TCA Honors Nu-Way Transportation Driver for Crash Scene Heroics A professional driver with Nu-Way Transportation has been recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association for actions taken at the scene of a serious crash. The association presented the honor in recognition of the driver’s decision to stop and provide assistance when he came upon the incident….
Parking, Predatory Truck Leasing, ELD Certification: Highway Bill Advances The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee completed a lengthy markup session in the early morning hours and advanced the BUILD America Act to the full House for further consideration. The legislation includes several provisions that directly affect commercial drivers and small fleet operators. Committee members adopted…
Why the Northeast is quietly running out of diesel Diesel fuel inventories along the East Coast have reached record low levels, according to industry data. The decline has drawn attention from truck drivers who operate in the region and rely on consistent access to fuel at stable prices. Current stock levels are lower than at…
1954 Mack L Model Among Winners in Mack’s 2027 Calendar Contest Mack Trucks has concluded its annual calendar contest, selecting a group of trucks that will appear in the company’s 2027 edition. Among the featured vehicles is a 1954 L Model, described by its owner as an “old bulldog” still in working condition. The contest…
Post-Montgomery, Focus Grows on Fate of 3PL Insurance Premiums The recent Montgomery decision has drawn immediate attention to how insurance costs may shift for third-party logistics providers and freight brokers. Industry observers note that the ruling places new emphasis on the insurance obligations carried by brokers who arrange transportation services. Questions are now being raised…
Oil Prices Bounce Higher on Iran War Uncertainty Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil pricing, rose 1.7 percent to settle at $106.81 per barrel. The increase reflects market reaction to ongoing uncertainty surrounding developments involving Iran. Trucking operations remain sensitive to movements in fuel costs because diesel prices generally follow trends in crude oil….
Truck Insurance Costs Keep Climbing Even as Crash Rates Fall Commercial auto insurance premiums for trucking operations have continued to rise despite measurable declines in crash frequency across much of the industry. Recent analysis of available data has drawn attention to this disconnect between safety performance and insurance pricing. Industry observers note that insurance represents…
Peterbilt Introduces Limited-Edition Model 589 for Nation’s 250th Anniversary Peterbilt Motors Company has introduced a limited-production version of its Model 589 to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The new truck, called the Freedom 250 Special Edition, was announced on May 21, 2026. The company plans to build only 250 units. According to…
NYSE-Linked Exchange Launches Perpetual Oil Futures on Crypto Platform Intercontinental Exchange futures prices for Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate will serve as the reference for new perpetual oil contracts available on the OKX trading platform. The contracts do not carry an expiration date, allowing traders to maintain positions indefinitely as long as margin requirements…
The ‘ingenious strategy’ behind most truckers’ least favorite week of the year: International Roadcheck Each year, truck drivers across North America identify International Roadcheck Week as one of the most disruptive periods on the calendar. The annual inspection initiative, coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, places additional enforcement resources on highways during a concentrated…
Roadcheck Week, Supreme Court ruling tighten US freight capacity Trucking enforcement activity, insurance market pressures, and seasonal freight patterns are combining to limit available capacity through 2026, according to analysis from EASE Logistics. The company points to several concurrent factors that are reducing the number of trucks available to move freight. Among them is the…
FreightWaves Announces 2026 Fraud Fighters Award Winners FreightWaves has named the recipients of its 2026 Fraud Fighters Awards, recognizing efforts to address fraud within the freight and logistics sector. The awards are divided into two categories: Logistics Operations and Solution Providers. The Logistics Operations category focuses on companies and teams that manage day-to-day freight movement…
Harding Logistics Loses Fight Over Jobless Benefits An Arkansas appeals court has ruled that Harding Logistics must pay unemployment taxes for a driver it treated as an independent contractor. The decision upholds the state’s finding that the driver was actually an employee. The dispute began when a driver who hauled freight for Harding filed for…
**Supreme Court Blocks Virgin Islands Trucking Lawsuit Over Timing** The Virgin Islands Supreme Court has ruled that 3RC & Company waited too long to sue Boynes Trucking System, throwing out the case on statute of limitations grounds. The dispute began when 3RC claimed Boynes failed to deliver freight as promised under a contract. 3RC filed…
**NY Court Lets Broker Off Hook in Bronx Deal** A New York appeals court ruled that a freight broker cannot be sued for a bad load after the shipper signed a contract that clearly shifted all risk to the carrier. The decision ends the lawsuit and shields brokers who use strong indemnity language. S &…
**Insurance Poaching Fight Reaches North Carolina High Court** The Supreme Court of North Carolina has agreed to hear an appeal in a heated dispute over whether former employees and their new firm can be sued for allegedly raiding an insurance brokerage’s client book and trade secrets. Relation Insurance claims Pilot Risk Management Consulting and several…
California Crash on Highway 99 Leaves Two Dead A Freightliner Cascadia operated by Amritsar Trans Inc. rear-ended three vehicles on Highway 99 near Lodi on May 19, 2026. The collision resulted in the deaths of two young men. The driver left the scene on foot and has not been located. Amritsar Trans Inc. is a…
Highway Bill Would Expand Access to Truck Parking The BUILD America 250 Act, introduced by House leaders, includes provisions aimed at improving truck parking availability and addressing cargo theft. The legislation is positioned as a response to longstanding industry concerns over driver safety and supply chain security. Truck parking shortages have been documented for years…
Oil Prices Climb Over Disruptions Around Strait of Hormuz Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 1 percent to settle at $103.60 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude gained 0.4 percent and closed at $96.68 per barrel after recovering from an earlier modest decline. The price movement followed reports of operational disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz,…
State of Freight Webinar Addresses Montgomery Case and Short-Term Market Conditions Fallout from the Montgomery case was discussed during this month’s State of Freight webinar. The case has drawn attention within the trucking industry due to its potential implications for carriers and drivers. Participants examined how the legal developments could affect operations, insurance considerations, and…