Media Watch: 2026-11-11

What trade and general media outlets are reporting. These are leads, not FreightFiles stories: stories are written only from government and court documents. Where such a document should exist, the desk searched for it; entries marked promoted became stories.

Enforcement

• $760K Fuel-Card Fraud Scheme Tied to Impersonated Michigan Trucking Company — FreightWaves reports a fuel-card fraud scheme used a Michigan trucking company's identity to rack up roughly $760,000 in fraudulent charges. (FreightWaves 2026-11-10) Government source sought: DOJ or state indictment/complaint on fuel-card fraud scheme; not yet found.
• CBP, Mexican customs run joint cargo-fraud operation at Otay Mesa — CDL Life reports CBP, HSI and Mexico's ANAM conducted a five-day joint operation at the Otay Mesa cargo facility targeting trade violations, transshipment and undervaluation in cross-border freight. (CDL Life 2026-11-11) Government source sought: CBP press release on Operation Trade Bridge; not yet found.
• Truck driver charged after distracted-driving crash kills three in Kansas City — CDL Life reports a truck driver was charged with involuntary manslaughter after a crash on US 71 in Kansas City that killed three people, allegedly while watching YouTube on a tablet used for his ELD. (CDL Life 2026-11-11) Government source sought: Jackson County, Missouri prosecutor's charging documents; not yet found.
• New Hampshire Troopers Cite 97 Violations in Truck Detail on Route 33 — CDL Life reports New Hampshire State Police, working with Greenland police, inspected 21 commercial vehicles and found 97 violations, including 26 out-of-service violations, after complaints about trucks on Route 33. (CDLLife 2026-11-11) Government source sought: New Hampshire State Police press release on Troop G commercial vehicle enforcement detail; not yet found.

Industry

• CVSA Announces 2027 International Roadcheck Dates — Trade press reports the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has set May 11-13, 2027 for its annual 72-hour truck and bus inspection blitz across North America. (Heavy Duty Trucking 2026-11-11)
• Freightliner, Western Star Recall Over Driveline Vibration — Land Line reports new Freightliner and Western Star trucks may be subject to a recall related to driveline vibration or noise, advising owners to check their VIN. (Land Line (OOIDA) 2026-11-11) Government source sought: NHTSA recall report filed by Daimler Truck North America; not yet found.

State Watch

• New Jersey Bill Would Bar Off-Duty Marijuana Use by Truck Drivers, Others — A New Jersey legislative proposal would prohibit off-the-clock marijuana use by police, first responders, truck drivers and heavy equipment operators, per a local news report. (News12 | New Jersey 2026-11-11) Government source sought: New Jersey legislature bill text; not yet found.
• New Jersey bill would bar off-duty marijuana use by truck drivers, police and first responders — News12 New Jersey reports on a state legislative proposal that would prohibit off-the-clock marijuana use for truck drivers, police, first responders and heavy equipment operators. (News12 | New Jersey 2026-11-11) Government source sought: New Jersey Legislature bill text; not yet found.
• WSDOT to start SR 167 Expressway tolling in Fife Dec. 14 — MyNorthwest reports Washington State DOT will begin charging tolls on the SR 167 Expressway in Fife starting Dec. 14, a corridor used heavily by trucks moving port freight. (MyNorthwest.com 2026-11-11) Government source sought: WSDOT/Washington State Transportation Commission toll rate notice; not yet found.
• Land Line: States Change Income Tax Rules Affecting Truckers' Pay — Land Line/OOIDA reports that new state income tax rules could change how much money truckers keep, amid already rising fuel, tire and repair costs, though the outlet does not identify a specific statute or state. (Land Line (OOIDA) 2026-11-11) Government source sought: state legislation or department of revenue guidance on multistate trucker income tax withholding; not yet found.

Washington Watch

• FMCSA's 2026 Regulatory Agenda Reviewed, 2027 Outlook Previewed — IRU reports on FMCSA's rulemaking activity in 2026 and what carriers should expect from the agency's regulatory agenda in 2027. (IRU | World Road Transport Organisation 2026-11-11) Government source sought: DOT/FMCSA Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Fall 2026); not yet found.
• Industry Group Pushes Congress on Cargo Theft Legislation — A trade association is urging Congress to pass pending cargo-theft legislation, according to a trade-press report. (STAT Times 2026-11-11) Government source sought: pending federal cargo theft bill in Congress; not yet found.
• Transport Topics previews Congress's lame-duck session for trucking issues — Transport Topics outlines what trucking-related legislation and funding matters Congress may take up during its lame-duck session. (Transport Topics 2026-11-09) Government source sought: Congress.gov legislative calendar and pending trucking bills; not yet found.