USPS TIGHTENS RULES ON NON-DOMICILED CDL DRIVERS FOR CONTRACTED TRUCKING
USPS said it will work with highway contractors to phase out non‑domiciled CDL drivers who haven’t been vetted by the Postal Inspection Service, aligning with federal safety policies and heightened scrutiny of licensing practices.
RYDER ACQUIRES TRUCK SERVICE DEPOT, EXPANDS TORQUE BY RYDER MOBILE MAINTENANCE IN GEORGIA
Ryder closed the purchase of Atlanta-based Truck Service Depot, adding technicians and facilities in Atlanta and Savannah to bolster its retail mobile maintenance footprint along key Southeast freight corridors.
KODIAK PARTNERS WITH BOSCH TO SCALE SELF‑DRIVING TRUCK HARDWARE
Announced at CES, the deal positions Bosch to supply production-grade hardware and interfaces for the Kodiak Driver, enabling factory-line or upfitter installation as autonomous trucking moves toward broader deployment in 2026.
MIDWEST LTL CARRIER STANDARD FORWARDING FREIGHT SUSPENDS OPERATIONS
The Teamsters-represented LTL carrier paused day-to-day operations and reduced staff following a strategic review, surprising union leaders and adding to uncertainty in regional capacity at the start of 2026.
TRANSPORT STOCKS HIT RECORD HIGH ON ECONOMIC OPTIMISM
The Dow Jones Transportation Average closed at a new high as freight and logistics shares rallied, reflecting hopes for stronger U.S. growth in 2026 and improving sentiment across trucking and parcel carriers.
DECEMBER LMI DIPS TO 54.2; LOGISTICS LEADERS SEE TIGHTER TRANSPORT CAPACITY IN 2026
The Logistics Managers’ Index fell to its lowest since April 2024, with researchers noting rapid holiday inventory rundown; outlooks point to tighter trucking capacity ahead even as overall logistics activity expands modestly.
U.S. BANK AND DAT LAUNCH JOINT RESEARCH ON SPOT AND CONTRACT TRUCK FREIGHT RATES
A new quarterly report blends U.S. Bank settlement data with DAT analytics; the debut shows October spot rates up 3% before slipping 1.1% to $1.65/mi in November, while contract rates held near $2.02/mi and fuel surcharges jumped on refinery outages.
DOT AWARDS $118.8 MILLION IN GRANTS TO BOOST TRUCK SAFETY AND CDL TRAINING
FMCSA funding will support state and local enforcement and expand CDL training access, including for military families, as federal agencies ramp efforts to reduce large-truck crashes and strengthen workforce pipelines.
BLUESCOPE REJECTS $8.8 BILLION STEEL DYNAMICS–SGH BID, CLOUDING STEEL SUPPLY OUTLOOK
BlueScope’s board said the joint offer “very significantly” undervalued the company, a setback for SDI’s North American ambitions amid tariff-driven market shifts that affect flatbed and industrial freight demand.
BANKRUPT AUTO PARTS MAKER FIRST BRANDS WARNS CASH COULD RUN OUT BY JAN. 31
In court, the Fram/Trico parent said emergency financing is needed to avoid shutdowns or asset sales, signaling potential ripple effects in aftermarket parts supply chains serving fleets and repair networks.
U.S. SEIZES TWO SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS LINKED TO VENEZUELA IN NORTH ATLANTIC, CARIBBEAN
Back-to-back operations targeting sanctioned vessels underscore ongoing enforcement that could influence refined product flows and fuel markets watched closely by carriers for diesel price impacts.
SENATE PANEL POSTPONES HEARING WITH DETROIT AUTOMAKER CEOS SET FOR JAN. 14
Transport Topics reports lawmakers delayed the planned session after objections from Ford, extending uncertainty around federal auto policy debates that shape equipment and parts freight demand.
ATA URGES EPA TO DELAY HEAVY‑DUTY NOX RULE, SEEKING MORE TIME AND REVIEW
The trucking federation asked EPA to push implementation to 2031 and reopen key provisions, arguing current standards and warranty requirements strain costs while manufacturers and fleets navigate a weak market.
ATD PRESIDENT TARGETS 12% EXCISE TAX REPEAL AFTER 2025 REGULATORY WINS
American Truck Dealers’ Jacqueline Gelb highlighted environmental rule rollbacks and said eliminating the federal excise tax on new tractors—roughly $20,000 per Class 8—will be a top 2026 priority for dealers and fleets.
WIRELESS-CHARGING HIGHWAY SEGMENT POWERS AN ELECTRIC SEMI AT 65 MPH IN INDIANA
Purdue engineers demonstrated 190 kW dynamic wireless power transfer to a Cummins electric Class 8 on a quarter‑mile test segment, advancing a potential path to in‑route charging for heavy trucks.
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