LAWMAKERS FLOAT FEDERAL GAS-TAX HOLIDAY AS FUEL SPIKE HITS TRUCKING
With pump prices surging amid Middle East turmoil, members of Congress are pushing to suspend the federal gas tax. Carriers warn higher diesel costs will filter quickly into freight rates and consumer prices.
MATS 2026 KICKS OFF FRIDAY WITH OPENING BREAKFAST AND INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
The Mid-America Trucking Show’s Opening Breakfast returns today in Louisville, featuring market updates, regulatory briefings, and tactics for small fleets and owner-operators to navigate 2026 conditions.
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY DUFFY TO ADDRESS DRIVERS ON PROTALKS STAGE AT MATS
USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy is slated to speak early this afternoon on the ProTalks Stage, with remarks expected on enforcement, truck parking, and safety initiatives impacting carriers nationwide.
SHOP THROUGHPUT SESSION AIMS TO CUT DWELL AND GET TRUCKS BACK ON THE ROAD FASTER
A midday MATS seminar outlines “high‑velocity shop” playbooks—standardizing diagnostics, parts flow, and first‑time fixes—to maximize bay capacity and reduce downtime for fleets and owner-operators.
CARRIER SUCCESS PANEL: MOVING BEYOND RPM TO DATA-DRIVEN VALUE IN 2026
Experts on the ProTalks Theater panel coach small carriers on KPIs, brand positioning, and negotiation strategies to win freight as the cycle turns, with DAT insights on benchmarking and pricing power.
“BUILT, NOT BOUGHT” TALK SPOTLIGHTS CRAFT CULTURE DRIVING TRUCK PERFORMANCE
Industrial Injection’s Steve Darnell headlines a MATS session celebrating hands‑on fabrication and repair—underscoring how shop craft and customization can boost reliability and ROI for work trucks.
RATE PER MILE MASTERS: NEGOTIATION PLAYBOOK FOR TODAY’S SPOT MARKET
A popular MATS session walks owner-operators through lane selection, fuel surcharge discipline, and contract terms so they can “name their price” as capacity tightens in select corridors this spring.
CARGO FRAUD: TRUCKSTOP AND FREIGHTVALIDATE BRIEF CARRIERS ON RED FLAGS AND DEFENSES
With double-brokering and cargo theft rising, today’s ProTalks session details due‑diligence workflows, vetting tools, and documentation steps to keep loads—and carrier identities—secure.
AMAZON RELAY/AFP TEAM DISCUSSES YARD OPS, CONTRACTS AND CARRIER PARTNERSHIPS
An afternoon panel featuring Amazon Relay leaders explores yard procurement, contract structures, and service expectations—key intel for fleets weighing dedicated and middle‑mile opportunities.
WOMEN IN TRUCKING HOSTS SALUTE TO WOMEN BEHIND THE WHEEL AT MATS THIS AFTERNOON
WIT’s annual celebration honors female professional drivers and recognizes safety and service milestones, with industry sponsors and peers gathering to spotlight career pathways and retention.
PKY TRUCK BEAUTY CHAMPIONSHIP RUNS ALL DAY FRIDAY OUTSIDE WEST WING
Top custom rigs from across North America compete at MATS for hardware and bragging rights, drawing steady crowds and sponsor activations throughout the show footprint today.
FREE TRUCK PARKING COMMUNITY OPENS NEAR KY EXPO CENTER WITH SHUTTLE SERVICE
More than 30 acres of free parking less than a mile from the venue is available to drivers during MATS, with continuous shuttle runs to ease show access and traffic around the grounds.
FRIDAY NIGHT MATS CONCERT RETURNS, SPONSORED BY BENNETT FAMILY OF COMPANIES
The free Friday concert at Freedom Hall caps Day 2 with a driver‑focused lineup and sponsor activations, marking the popular tradition’s 2026 comeback.
COVENANT LOGISTICS PAYS QUARTERLY DIVIDEND TODAY, MARCH 27
Covenant (NYSE: CVLG) is distributing its $0.07 per‑share dividend to holders of record as of March 6, 2026, underscoring balance‑sheet discipline as the market turns toward peak season planning.
WESTPORT HOSTS INVESTOR CALL TODAY ON ALTERNATIVE-FUEL TRUCK TECHNOLOGIES
The clean‑transport supplier’s webcast and Q&A this morning (day after results release) is expected to address heavy‑duty applications, cost curves, and fleet adoption pathways in North America.
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