Rear-view: Your Monday news retrospective — 9/29/25
A years-long legal battle reached its definitive end this week, as the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the AB5 case cements a new reality for carriers and owner-operators in California. While this brings regulatory clarity, the latest freight tonnage numbers show that economic uncertainty continues to challenge the market.
From the real-world pressures of rising insurance costs to some welcome news on truck parking expansion, this week's digest covers the critical issues impacting your operations. Dive into the full summary below for the stories you need to know.
Legal and Regulatory
Final Challenge to California’s AB5 Law Ends as Supreme Court Denies Review
The U.S. Supreme Court has officially closed the door on the trucking industry's legal challenge to California's AB5 worker classification law. By declining to review the case from the California Trucking Association, the court solidifies the use of the "ABC test" to determine independent contractor status, profoundly impacting owner-operators and carriers operating in the state.
Nikola Corp. Agrees to $125 Million Settlement with SEC
Electric truck maker Nikola Corp. has agreed to pay a $125 million penalty to settle civil charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC alleged the company defrauded investors by misleading them about its products, technology, and commercial prospects, marking a significant chapter in the fallout from claims made by its founder, Trevor Milton.
Market and Economic Trends
ATA Truck Tonnage Index Slips in August, Signaling Continued Softness
The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 0.8% in August after a slight gain in July. Year-over-year, the index is down 2.3%, indicating that the freight market has not yet found a bottom and that a significant recovery in freight volumes has not yet begun.
Fleets Battle Soaring Insurance Premiums Despite Strong Safety Records
Trucking companies are facing steep increases in insurance premiums, often in the double digits, even if their safety and claims records are excellent. Industry experts point to factors like the rising cost of technologically advanced equipment repairs, inflation, and the continued threat of "nuclear verdicts" as primary drivers behind the escalating operational costs for carriers.
Read more at Heavy Duty Trucking
Driver and Fleet Operations
Major Truck Stop Chains Announce Expansion of Parking Availability
In a positive development for drivers, both Pilot Company and TravelCenters of America (TA) have announced initiatives to significantly increase truck parking. The companies plan to add hundreds of new spaces across their networks by improving existing lots and building new locations, providing some much-needed private-sector relief for the nationwide parking shortage.
How to Use Telematics Data to Spec the Right Electric Truck
For fleet managers considering the transition to electric vehicles, properly spec'ing a truck is crucial for success. This editorial explains how to leverage existing telematics data from diesel fleets—analyzing route lengths, dwell times, payload weights, and terrain—to accurately determine which routes are ideal for electrification and what battery capacity and powertrain are needed.