# FreightWaves Today | August 31

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/freightcasts-478950/freightwaves-today-august-31
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/freightcasts-478950/freightwaves-today-august-31.md
Podcast: [FreightCasts](https://stenobird.com/podcast/freightcasts-478950)
Published: 2026-08-31T19:10:00+00:00
Episode link: https://chtbl.com/track/894889/traffic.megaphone.fm/FREIGHT4258881403.mp3
Audio file: https://chtbl.com/track/894889/traffic.megaphone.fm/FREIGHT4258881403.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/freightcasts-478950/episodes/freightwaves-today-august-31
Duration seconds: 7369

## Resource

The freight industry is facing a major wave of regulatory, economic and operational changes. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Craig and Julie breaks down the latest developments affecting trucking, freight brokers, autonomous trucks, railroads and cross-border freight. The show opens with the FMCSA crackdown on CDL schools, including the shutdown of hundreds of driving schools over concerns involving English-language proficiency, facilities and instructor qualifications. The discussion examines what tougher barriers to entry could mean for trucking safety, capacity and the broader freight market. The hosts also dive into a major Penske liability case, the future of the independent contractor model and the potential impact of new legal precedents on freight brokers and motor carriers. They discuss the latest movement on the FMCSA freight broker transparency rule, which could require brokers to maintain electronic transaction records and provide them to carriers or shippers upon request. The episode also explores California's autonomous truck regulations, including the state's million-mile testing requirement and a legal challenge from the California Teamsters. With autonomous trucking continuing to advance, the conversation looks at the growing battle over technology, regulation and trucking jobs. Joining the show is Dr. David Correll of Telegraph, who discusses his company's latest six-month freight rail outlook. Harrell shares his forecast for rail carload and intermodal volumes, the potential for coal exports, tank car availability, the impact of energy prices and the massive industrial demand being created by AI data center construction. He also explains why the widening price gap between truckload and intermodal transportation could continue shifting freight…

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## Transcript

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