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Malcolm and Mike review recent news, including a breakdown of approximately 1,850 industry layoffs across several states, notable drug and weapon seizures involving semi-trucks on I-69 in Michigan and I-40 in Arkansas, and upcoming events like the Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga. Then they're joined by Matthew Muester, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, He talks about the volatile diesel market heading into Q4. He breaks down how geopolitical conflicts, crude oil prices (~$90/barrel), and skyrocketing refining margins ($108/barrel crack spread) have pushed total diesel costs to around $200 per barrel. He also shares insights on Canadian crude imports, the long-term outlook for the Keystone XL project, and expectations for diesel pricing into 2027. Finally they have Jefferson Barr, Chief Marketing Officer at Netstock, who discusses insights from Netstock's latest supply chain report. He explains how small-to-midsize businesses (SMBs) are navigating a complex landscape of simultaneous disruptions—such as shifting lead times, freight costs, and raw material access—and emphasizes how leveraging data analytics helps "star" performers outperform "stragglers" in inventory management. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dig into a busy week in freight, from trucking investment fraud and cargo theft to the future of brokerage and autonomous trucking.The show opens with a look at a $105 million alleged semi-truck investment scheme that reportedly involved hundreds of investors and promises of guaranteed weekly returns. Malcolm and Michael break down the warning signs investors should have noticed and the broader lessons around fraud in trucking. The conversation then turns to the evolution of cargo theft, as cyber-enabled schemes increasingly allow criminals to obtain shipment information, impersonate legitimate carriers and steal high-value freight before a truck even arrives. Michael also weighs in on the changing role of brokers and the growing pressure for technology and data to deliver more value across the freight ecosystem. The hosts examine a major RICO lawsuit involving C.H. Robinson and carriers, discussing what the allegations could mean for the brokerage industry, potential discovery of internal communications and the broader question of how brokers create value in a changing transportation market. They also take a look at Aurora's ambitious autonomous-trucking plans, including its goal of operating more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030. Then, Bill Cooper, vice president of sales at Fleet Management Solutions, joins the show to discuss the business impact of truck downtime and why preventative maintenance is becoming a strategic advantage. Cooper explains how mobile maintenance can bring the garage directly to a fleet, helping companies perform inspections, preventative maintenance and repairs without taking vehicles out of service unnecessarily. The conversation explores how fleets can combine telematics, fuel data, maintenance information and real-world operating conditions to create more customized maintenance plans and improve uptime. Cooper also discusses the technician shortage, training, the growing complexity of fleet equipment and preparing maintenance teams for electric and autonomous vehicles. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight visibility used to answer one big question: Where is my load? Now the question is becoming: Can I trust what I'm seeing? On this episode of What The Truck?!?, Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are joined by Andrew Wimer, Associate General Manager at Descartes, to break down the next phase of freight visibility and how multiple tracking signals can give brokers, carriers and shippers a clearer picture of what's actually happening with a load. Wimer explains Descartes MacroPoint ELD Plus, which combines ELD and mobile app tracking into a single session. Instead of relying on one source, the platform can track the truck, trailer and driver simultaneously. If those signals stop telling the same story, transportation teams have another data point to help identify tracking gaps, incorrect information or potentially suspicious activity. They also discuss why drivers still play an important role in freight visibility, how better tracking can accelerate proof of delivery and time to cash, and why accurate driver, truck and trailer information remains critical.Plus, Malcolm and Michael break down some of the biggest stories in trucking, including: Florida troopers recovering stolen tractor-trailers carrying tires and lithium-ion batteries Thieves cutting into a trailer to steal Black Angus beef in Philadelphia 16 trucking and transportation companies entering bankruptcy proceedings A cargo theft survey showing major losses for loss prevention professionals What proposed diesel export restrictions could mean for fuel markets Can two independent tracking signals make freight visibility more reliable and help transportation companies catch problems before it's too late? Watch the full episode to hear Andrew Wimer explain where freight tracking is headed next. Subscribe to FreightWaves and What The Truck?!? for more conversations on trucking, freight technology, cargo theft, logistics and the people moving the industry forward. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the FreightWaves Enterprise Fleet Summit, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down the strategies, technologies, and operational shifts required to scale trucking operations during volatile market cycles. In this episode: Chris Hines, CEO of REPOWR, discusses TOP (Trailer Optimization Platform)—the industry's first system designed to execute trailer repositioning rather than just analyzing data. He breaks down how fleets can eliminate idle trailer time, optimize asset allocation, and turn static trailers into revenue-generating assets. Hayden Cardiff, VP of Safety Solutions at Descartes, explores the gap between regulatory compliance and real-world safety. He shares insights on predicting driver risk before accidents occur, building proactive driver coaching programs, and leveraging AI to identify leading safety indicators. Event Highlights & Giveaways: Details on upcoming FreightWaves events, including the Brokerage Compliance Symposium and F3: Future of Freight Festival, plus a special showcase of the Away Travel convertible backpack giveaway. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when predictive AI, cross-border trucking disruptions, cargo theft and hidden supply-chain taxes collide? We’re breaking it all down on this Friday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent cover the biggest stories impacting trucking, freight and logistics, including a sudden disruption at the U.S.-Mexico border, a bizarre cargo theft case in Nebraska, and the technology changing fleet safety. On this episode: Empiric Earth brings Nexar and Netradyne technology togetherZach Greenberger and Dr. Stefan Heck join the show to discuss the new company and how massive amounts of real-world driving data can help fleets measure, predict and prevent collisions. The conversation explores predictive safety, near-miss data, driver behavior, AI models, road hazards and how fleet managers can identify dangerous routes and driving patterns. Mexico lifts empty-truck restriction at Eagle PassA five-day disruption at the U.S.-Mexico border reportedly stranded hundreds of tractors after Mexican customs authorities restricted empty commercial trucks from crossing southbound at Eagle Pass. Malcolm and Mike examine what the disruption meant for cross-border trucking, capacity and freight flows. $250,000 in stolen speakers found inside a semiNebraska troopers discovered high-end commercial speakers and other merchandise inside a truck allegedly moving with fraudulent paperwork. The case raises plenty of questions about cargo theft, freight fraud and stolen loads. What is a “tax pyramid”?Gregg Berry of Numeral explains the lesser-known sales and use tax exposure that can accumulate at different stages of the supply chain. We break down how taxes can become embedded in the price of goods, why exemptions matter and how technology and AI can help companies identify potential tax liabilities. Plus: trucking banter, freight tech, supply chain insights, a look ahead to FreightTech 100, and plenty of the usual WHAT THE TRUCK?!? chaos. Subscribe to WHAT THE TRUCK?!? for daily trucking, freight, logistics, supply chain and transportation news. #WhatTheTruck #Trucking #Freight #Logistics #SupplyChain #Truckers #FreightTech #CargoTheft #FleetSafety #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #AutonomousDriving #CrossBorderTrucking #Mexico #EaglePass #Transportation #TruckDriver #FreightWaves Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm and The Dude kick off another packed Wednesday show! From crazy cargo thefts to major supply chain insights, they dive into the biggest stories hitting the freight and logistics industry. Episode Breakdown: $500k+ Copper Theft: A look at a fictitious pickup in Illinois where thieves impersonated Schneider to steal half a million dollars worth of copper—and how GPS tracking helped crack the case. $1.5M Philadelphia Cargo Theft Ring: The hosts discuss a wild cargo theft ring involving stolen crab legs, TVs, and over $230,000 in brand-new dimes. $50M Drug Seizure in Nebraska: A routine commercial vehicle inspection along I-80 turns up nearly 20,000 pounds of marijuana and THC products hidden inside a semi-trailer. FMCSA Shuts Down 110+ CDL Schools: Breaking down the nationwide crackdown on fraudulent entry-level driver training providers across 20 states and online operations. Guest Feature — Special guest Alexander Style joins the show to discuss how unifying supply chain data creates a single source of truth, how tariffs and nearshoring affect cross-border freight, and how tech is solving information latency across global logistics networks. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Friday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Malclolm and Michael Vincent kick off the show with some banter before diving into major freight industry headlines and expert interviews. Key Industry Headlines Colorado Federal Court Ruling: U-Haul was dismissed as a defendant in a Colorado federal court trial following a fatal June 2024 accident where steel beams fell off a truck. The judge cited lack of clarity regarding whether the driver was hauling for U-Haul or Monique Trucking. Massive Drug Ring Busted: Roberto Lopez was sentenced to nearly 19 years in prison for his role in a trucking-based drug ring that moved cocaine and millions in cash across the southeast using stashes and falsified logistics. Fatal Chinese Shipyard Fire: A fire aboard the Liberia-flagged dry bulk carrier Ocean Melody at the Qingdao Beihai Shipyard resulted in 25 confirmed deaths. Border Produce Drug Seizure: DEA and CBP agents in South Texas uncovered 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside a shipment of cabbage. Featured Guests Johannes Ariens (CEO, Range Zero Emissions): Breaks down the strategic consolidation of West Coast zero-emission commercial vehicle operations, including partnerships with Ziegler Truck Group and Hyundai Translead. He discusses scaling medium- and heavy-duty battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell fleets, navigating incentive structures, and redesigning dealership models to account for 40% to 60% less vehicle maintenance. Diane Hutson (Executive Director, Saint Christopher Truckers Relief Fund): Highlights the non-profit's milestone of delivering over $5.5 million in financial assistance to ill and injured drivers. She details their free preventative health initiatives—including cancer screenings, smoking cessation programs, and vaccines—and calls on industry leaders to help connect drivers directly to these critical resources. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm and The Dude dissect recent CargoNet reports regarding Labor Day cargo theft spikes, questioning the data manipulation versus real-world risk. They also dive into former President Donald Trump’s comments on trade deficits and cross-border supply chains with Mexico and Canada. Keith Miao (CEO of Birdstop) and Carl Rundell (President & CEO of Truck Specialized Parking Services) discuss how autonomous drone technology and node networks are being deployed across major freight corridors. They explain how real-time aerial data is helping solve the nationwide truck parking crisis—starting with critical trade routes between Detroit and Windsor, Canada. Guy Yehiav (President of SmartSense) breaks down the physical and digital vulnerabilities in today's supply chains. From "no stop zones" to GPS spoofing and stealth pallet trackers, Guy highlights how organized crime is getting smarter and how shippers can better protect high-value freight Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm and Michael kick off September with a jam-packed Wednesday episode celebrating driver appreciation and cutting-edge freight tech Rusty Kirby, VP of Transportation and Logistics at Pilot Flying J, breaks down the 2026 Road Warrior contest featuring a custom Kenworth truck built by the Diesel Brothers plus $50,000 in cash! Rusty also discusses Pilot’s elite driver rewards program and the crucial role truck drivers play in everyday life. Nate Veeh, AVP of Business Development at Altitudes, shares surprising vehicle data analyzed across 104 World Cup matches in 16 cities. Learn how post-match exits spike traffic congestion and harsh braking, and why cities like Atlanta and Kansas City had dramatically different traffic outcomes. Sean Dehan, VP of Strategy and Corporate Development at Truckstop, pushes back on the claim that traditional load boards are outdated. He discusses how AI assistants like "Ava" are transforming load matching into an intelligent, contextual marketplace for carriers and brokers Kurtis McBride, CEO of Miovision, explains how their AI platform "Mateo" creates digital twins of intersections to modernize traffic control, reduce citizen response times, and enable real-time traffic management. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - KOONER FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent on this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? as they dive into the biggest stories shaping the freight, logistics, and supply chain landscape!In this episode, we break down: $400K Cargo Theft Recovery in Arizona: How quick police coordination and cross-department communication led to back-to-back stolen load interceptions on I-40 and I-10. Freight Data Disputes (Motive vs. Highway): A look into the temporary data-sharing friction between Motive and Highway, performance guarantees, and the growing debate over who owns and monetizes carrier data. NHTSA Fuel Efficiency Regulations Update: Analyzing the Trump administration’s shift toward regulating complete vehicles over individual components, and what it means for fleet costs and engine efficiency. 2027 Trailer Leasing Market Trends: Ed Benton, SVP of Sales at Premier Trailer Leasing, joins to talk about trailer availability, supply pressure, and how fleets can navigate equipment flexibility heading into 2027. High Schoolers Earning CDLs: Executive Director of Zeta CDL School, Josh Claman, discusses how their program helps high school seniors earn a CDL before graduation to create clear, high-paying career pathways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dive into top headlines and industry insights, featuring expert commentary on logistics expansion, high-stakes supply chain technology, and freight consolidation strategies. The guys discuss Arrive Logistics’ plans to expand its workforce by 1,000 team members following a major capital agreement with Mubadala, alongside a look at a massive 1,800-pound marijuana interception by Georgia law enforcement. Michael Schramm, CEO and Co-Founder of Nordian, shares his journey from managing electric scooter fleets to solving connectivity and centimeter-level positioning challenges for autonomous machinery in harsh, remote environments. Phil Schmidbauer, Vice President of Solution Design at ODW Logistics, breaks down how poorly designed consolidation plans create hidden supply chain costs and offers actionable advice for shippers aiming to drive out waste. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent on this packed Wednesday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? as they honor a music legend and dive deep into critical industry updates with two expert guests. The guys pay a heartfelt tribute to the Queen of Country, discussing her incredible philanthropic legacy, her impact on the state of Tennessee, and her recent entry into the logistics space with her new truck stop concept A breakdown of the latest driver out-of-service violations, including why English proficiency broke into the top five, why medical card infractions skyrocketed by 117%, and how enforcement trends are shifting. Dr. Fletcher—having performed over 20,000 DOT physicals—shares key insights on driver health changes over the last several decades. He breaks down how GLP-1 weight loss medications could revolutionize trucker health, how sleep apnea impacts careers, and what really happens during crash litigation when medical histories are audited. Greg Haber, President of Babcock Fulfillment and Alarm Systems, breaks down how criminal syndicates execute fictitious pickups using fraudulent IDs. He demonstrates how modern digitizing technology and real-time app verification can instantly catch fake licenses that human gatekeepers miss. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, the guys unpack a bizarre $9.5M methamphetamine seizure hidden inside a Texas detergent load, discuss the sudden departure of Chris Spear from the ATA, state legal victories protecting CDL driver data, and the growing legal heat surrounding broker liability with J.B. Hunt facing summary judgment battles. Then, two expert guest segments tackle the industry’s biggest modern challenges: BuyWander Co-Founder Brock Kowalchuk joins the show to discuss how billions of dollars in returned retail inventory can be saved from landfills using scalable auction technology. Megan Gabriel & Veronica Van Loon from Changemakers detail what brokers and logistics companies MUST do in the first 48 hours of a major legal or public relations crisis. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm and Mike tackle the latest headlines shaking up the freight and logistics world. From dark realities at the border to major infrastructure debate and college sports sponsorship firsts, the duo breaks down the industry's biggest news before diving into deep-dive interviews with tech and compliance leaders. Nick Dorman, Founder & CEO of Alvys, breaks down "Foundry"—their AI agent layer built natively into an order-to-cash CRM. Nick explains how hybrid architecture, in-house EDI, and guardrailed AI agents streamline complex workflows for frontline logistics operators. Joe Hurst, Co-Founder and President of Veroot Compliance, unpacks how recent White House executive orders are making C-TPAT validation essential for foreign importers of record and customs brokers Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent host another fast-paced episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, covering cargo theft surges, roadside enforcement sweeps, and the real math behind heavy-duty fleet decarbonization. In the top stories for today, police in Leeds arrest six individuals tied to organized cargo theft, recovering stolen goods, drugs, and weapons amid estimates that cargo crime costs the UK $88 million annually, analyzing multi-state and Canadian provincial safety sweeps targeting impaired driving, log falsification, and brake defects, while highlighting data showing 25% of U.S. commercial trucks carry immediate out-of-service violations, authorities in North Carolina arrest a suspect in possession of a stolen truck, an illegal gun, and $258,000 worth of stolen copper wire, evaluating recent WARN layoff notices—driven largely by Tyson Foods plant closures—against broader job creation figures across the logistics sector. Scott Cornell from SPG Cargo explains why official cargo theft figures only scratch the surface. While CargoNet documented $732 million in cargo losses last year, voluntary reporting and inconsistent police crime codes mean actual economic impact is roughly ten times higher. Cornell previews TAPA's upcoming university study to measure true supply chain losses, discusses the federal CORT Act, and warns of a rising "bump and run" tactic targeting high-value data center shipments valued at over $110 million since June. Former Cummins Westport President Jim Arthurs breaks down alternative fuel economics for heavy-duty trucking. With megawatt electric truck charging scaling to $0.40–$0.50 per kWh (equivalent to $7/gallon diesel) and hydrogen hovering over $20/kg, natural gas remains the most cost-effective alternative fuel. Arthurs details Westport’s direct-injection technology achieving diesel-equivalent fuel efficiency (8.5 mpg) at 500 horsepower, the strength of North America's CNG pipeline system, and how Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from dairy manure delivers net-negative carbon intensity. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices