FEDERAL AGENTS TARGETING ILLEGAL TRUCK DRIVERS AT WEIGH STATIONS NATIONWIDE
DHS is partnering with state troopers and weigh stations to identify unqualified or improperly licensed commercial drivers, with recent stops highlighting serious credential and equipment violations, FreightWaves reports (July 7, 2026).
LTL CARRIER MOUNTAIN VALLEY EXPRESS SHUTS DOWN
California-based Mountain Valley Express said it is no longer operating as of July 7, closing a 13-terminal network across CA, AZ and NV, according to an email to customers cited by FreightWaves (July 7, 2026).
TWO COMPANIES SEEK 5-YEAR EXEMPTIONS FROM HOS RULES; COMMENTS DUE JULY 30
Lone Star Haz Mat (TX) and Mainline Services (MO) filed HOS exemption requests for incident-response operations; FMCSA lists 10 active HOS exemptions, FreightWaves reports (July 7, 2026). Public comments close July 30, 2026.
TEXAS, WALMART REACH $13M SETTLEMENT OVER SPARK DRIVER PAY PRACTICES
Walmart agreed to pay more than $13.3 million and implement compensation transparency reforms for Spark delivery drivers in Texas, resolving alleged DTPA violations, per FreightWaves (July 7, 2026). Walmart denied wrongdoing in the agreement announced July 6, 2026.
EIA: WEEKLY U.S. DIESEL PRICE FALLS 9¢ TO $4.578/GAL
The national on‑highway diesel average declined to $4.578 per gallon for the week of July 6, 2026, the 12th decrease in 13 weeks, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (posted July 7, 2026).
CRACK SPREAD SURGES AS DIESEL/GASOLINE OUTPERFORM CRUDE; DIESEL BENCHMARK DOWN AGAIN
FreightWaves notes the benchmark fuel surcharge price fell again while product-crude crack spreads hit unusually high levels amid shifting supply dynamics and inventory draws (July 7, 2026).
ARGOSY PRIVATE EQUITY ACQUIRES K&L FREIGHT MANAGEMENT
The PE firm bought a controlling stake in the St. Charles, Illinois-based asset‑light 3PL; terms were not disclosed. K&L serves food, life sciences and energy shippers with expedited and cross‑border services, FreightWaves reports (July 7, 2026).
LOGISTICS MANAGERS’ INDEX: TRANSPORT PRICING NEAR RECORD AS CAPACITY TIGHTENS
June’s LMI showed transportation prices at 92.4 with utilization up and capacity falling for a seventh month, as retailers pull forward inventory ahead of peak season, per FreightWaves (July 7, 2026).
ASCENDTMS ADDS SEARCHCARRIERS DATA TO BOOST CARRIER/BROKER VERIFICATION
The integration powers AscendTMS’ free CVQ module with real‑time intelligence aimed at reducing double brokering, identity theft and unsafe carrier selection, FreightWaves reports (July 7, 2026).
EIGHT CHARGED IN ALLEGED $10 MILLION INTERNATIONAL CARGO THEFT CONSPIRACY
Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment alleging a multi‑state theft ring that impersonated carriers and diverted loads ranging from electronics to eggs, FreightWaves reports (July 7, 2026).
AAR: U.S. RAIL TRAFFIC UP 7% Y/Y; INTERMODAL CLIMBS 10% AHEAD OF PEAK
For the week ended June 27, intermodal units rose 10.1% year over year, signaling healthy container flows that influence truckload and drayage demand, FreightWaves reports (July 7, 2026).
ILLINOIS HAZMAT BLITZ ISSUES NEARLY 600 VIOLATIONS; 61 TRUCKS, 38 DRIVERS OOS
An Illinois State Police hazmat enforcement detail (June 30–July 1) resulted in hundreds of citations and multiple out‑of‑service orders across I‑55 and I‑70 corridors, CCJ reports (July 7, 2026).
DAT: DRY VAN RATE SURGE DRIVEN BY SUPPLY TIGHTNESS; DEMAND REMAINS SLUGGISH
DAT’s latest market update says recent truckload rate spikes are largely supply‑side, with modest freight demand concentrated in AI‑related infrastructure while consumer‑tied sectors lag (July 7, 2026).
FORMER AUSTIN FREIGHT SYSTEMS CONTROLLER PLEADS GUILTY IN $3.2M EMBEZZLEMENT CASE
A former controller admitted to wire fraud and money‑laundering offenses tied to 147 fraudulent payments between 2023 and 2025; the brokerage says operations continue as normal, FreightWaves reports (July 6, 2026).
DHL GROUP LIFTS 2026 EARNINGS OUTLOOK ON STRONG Q2; EXPRESS LEADS GAINS
The integrator raised full‑year guidance after double‑digit revenue growth and a 29% pre‑tax income jump, buoyed by tight air cargo capacity and higher yields, FreightWaves/American Shipper reports (July 7, 2026).
TQL BROKER TRANSPARENCY CASE HEADED TO D.C. CIRCUIT ORAL ARGUMENTS ON SEPT. 11
Following a district court win for TQL, the owner‑operator plaintiff “Pink Cheetah” appealed; the case could shape how FMCSA directives and broker transparency obligations are interpreted, Overdrive reports (July 6, 2026).
DATA DEEP DIVE: WHICH STATES GET THE MOST OUT OF MCSAP TRUCK ENFORCEMENT DOLLARS
A FreightWaves analysis ranks states on roadside inspection productivity and cost per stop using federal MCSAP funding, offering fleets insight into where enforcement is most intense (July 7, 2026).
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