GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (RFD News) — More than 100 commercial driver’s license schools have been shut down over fraud and English-language proficiency violations.
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss the closures and the state of the trucking industry.
In his conversation with RFD News, Pugh said English proficiency and proper training are important for truck drivers, noting some schools have offered CDLs in less than 24 hours.
Pugh says plenty of drivers are available as fall harvest ramps up, but high turnover remains a challenge for the industry.
Diesel prices are also adding pressure as truckers move corn, soybeans, and other goods to market. Pugh says those higher transportation costs could ultimately be passed on to consumers.
U.S.-Mexico tariff talks have stalled over autos, steel, and aluminum, raising concerns about trade certainty and access for American agricultural exports.
October 16, 2026 04:00 PM
·
Spending declined overall in 2025, though WIC and child nutrition programs increased.
October 16, 2026 03:00 PM
·
New systems could give producers easier electronic access to acreage records and federal loan information.
October 16, 2026 08:00 AM
·
USDA and the FTC are asking producers to share firsthand experiences with equipment sales and repair restrictions.
October 16, 2026 04:00 AM
·
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer said farmers and truckers should check federal updates and rules in every state where they operate before changing their fueling practices.
October 15, 2026 06:33 PM
·
GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says details remain unclear on how the proposed shipments would work.
October 15, 2026 02:45 PM
·
