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Mary O'Connell

Former pricing analyst, supply chain planner, and broker/dispatcher turned creator of the newsletter and podcast Check Call. Which gives insights into the world around 3PLs and Freight brokers. She will talk your ear off about anything and everything if you let her. Expertise in operations, LTL pricing and procurement, flatbed operations, dry van, tracking and tracing, reality tv shows and how to turn a stranger into your new best friend.
Oct - 2024 -
11 October
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Big things coming in smaller pharma packages

In this edition: The pharmaceutical supply chain improves packaging, Hurricane Milton disrupts the perishable supply chain and caffeine comes in frozen form.

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09 October
Mary O'Connell

Winter weather safety measures to take now

Dangerous winter road conditions are on the way. Drivers need to prepare ahead of time to stay safe.

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08 October
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Freight fraud has many faces, none of them pretty

In this edition: TIA releases its ‘State of Fraud’ report and Forward Air remains chaotic.

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04 October
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Volume of temperature-sensitive goods lost to strike unclear

In this edition: The port strike ends and goods can flow, a chilly acquisition and new nuggies hit the freezer aisle.

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01 October
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The strike has begun

In this edition: East and Gulf Coast port workers on strike and everyone bands together to help with disaster cleanup.

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Sep - 2024 -
27 September
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: American Airlines doubles down on cold chain

In this edition: American expands its pharma offering, a possible port strike cripples the cold chain, and a legend in home delivery has fallen.

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24 September
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Supply chain bottlenecks are more than transportation’s fault

In this edition: Breaking down a white paper that highlights inefficient supply chains; a new cross-border load board.

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20 September
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Blue Cube advances cold chain 

Blue Cube develops new freezing technology, SeaCube makes major investments, and Green Giant expands the freezer aisle.

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17 September
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Oh we got trouble, right here in River City

In this edition: Big strike issues lie ahead, and it’s Truck Driver Appreciation Week!

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13 September
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: UPS expands its health care footprint

In this edition: UPS makes some acquisitions, Thermo King introduces a new reefer battery unit, and White Castle gives customers what they crave. 

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10 September
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Q4 could get messy

In this edition: Q4 could get messy for importers, and Aifleet completes Series B round of funding.

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09 September
Mary O'Connell

Carrier verification key to fighting freight fraud

With fraud on the rise, verifying carriers has become one of the top ways shippers can fight fraud on the front lines.

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06 September
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Triple-cooled cold chain

In this edition: Maersk Container Industries has a new triple-refrigerant solution, Pharma air cargo gets an upgrade, and a friendly face in the frozen aisle gets a facelift.

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04 September
Mary O'Connell

Navigating market uncertainty in 2024

Knowing the signs of a potential market flip is half the battle in preparing for the future.

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03 September
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Gains find their way into the 3PL space

In this edition: The TIA’s report has positive findings, and Jack Cooper is back in the limelight.

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Aug - 2024 -
30 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Lineage patents Lego

In this edition: Lineage crosses 100 patents, Polar King Mobile develops new portable cold storage solutions and a new pack to package frozen food.

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29 August
Mary O'Connell

Loaded and Rolling: Grants for CDL training programs

In this edition: CDL training programs get grants, autonomous trucking faces a setback and Motive releases its August economic study.

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27 August
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: US caught in the middle of North American supply chain problems

In this edition: Rail issues and cargo theft plague Canada and Mexico, and the Panama Canal looks for a drought solution.

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23 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Cold chain chaos averted

In this edition: The cold chain dodged a rail lockout bullet in Canada, heart transplant transportation gets a boost and Chick-fil-A expands.

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20 August
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The rise of private fleets

In this edition: Private fleets are rising in popularity, and the Canadian rail strike looms.

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16 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: The acquisition edition

In this edition: The cold chain hits acquisition central

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13 August
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The rise of cross-border struggles – and the response

In this edition: Complications mount with cross-border freight, and the FMCSA wants input on guidance.

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09 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Quarterly earnings comes for cold chain

In this edition: Americold quarterly earnings, South Jersey gets a new warehouse and frozen pasta finds a new home.

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Mary O'Connell

Driver hiring standards key to keeping down insurance costs

Rigorous driver hiring standards are proving to be more than just a safety measure — they’re a strategic tool for managing insurance costs.

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06 August
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: A great hope comes after disappointing Q2

In this edition: Breaking down second-quarter earnings, the impacts of Hurricane Debby and warehousing meets video games.

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02 August
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Cold chain on the moon

In this edition: The moon becomes a cold storage warehouse, vaccines transported outside the cold chain and Pig Sooie chicken nuggets hit the freezer.

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01 August
Mary O'Connell

The power of Group captive insurance plans for trucking companies

Thin margins and unpredictable risks are the norm, and trucking companies are increasingly turning to captive insurance plans to address those challenges.

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Jul - 2024 -
30 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Shippers spell out expectations for 3PLs 

In this edition: The Inbound Logistics annual survey results have been released, and Werner celebrates 25 years in Mexico.

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26 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: An IPO gold rush for Lineage

In this edition: Lineage’s beyond-successful IPO; new cold storage in Motor City

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23 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Freight market shows promise of strong finish to 2024

In this edition: Breaking down the most recent Armstrong & Associates study and the FMCSA hits a snag.

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19 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Port Houston gets an upgrade

In this edition: Port Houston gets the cold treatment, Lineage strikes it big, and decreasing food waste in the supply chain.

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18 July
Mary O'Connell

 A unified approach to improving cross-border operations

Reliance Partners’ Modernization of Cross Border Trade event Aug. 6 will spotlight ways to improve cross-border operations through collaboration and relationships.

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16 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Hostages in freight

In this edition: Ransom freight is on the rise and TQL has a victory in court.

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12 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Chillin’ with Gel-Paks in a new home

In this edition: A new home for avocados, improvements in food tech shipping, and enhancements to the food traceability rule.

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09 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: International warehouse study finds challenges and progress

In this edition: Warehouse study outlines key challenges; Hurricane Beryl makes landfall; and Werner is back on the union front.

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03 July
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: A new home for avocados

A new home for avocados, improvements in food tech shipping and enhancements to the food traceability rule.

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02 July
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Born in the USA

In this edition: Fireworks’ biggest day and another fallen trucking company.

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Mary O'Connell

Christmas in July 

Fundraising doesn’t sleep, and there’s no better time to get the holiday spirit than July.

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Jun - 2024 -
28 June
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: The cold chain needs a little warmup

Raising the temperature of ultracold storage, a fully refrigerated supply chain and new additions to the freezer aisle.

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25 June
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Long live the tale of Coyote Logistics

In this edition: Coyote finds another home, and another firm closes its doors.

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24 June
Mary O'Connell

Future-proofing insurance with telematics

Insurance rates continue to rise despite a down freight market. What does the future of mitigating insurance rates look like?

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21 June
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Port advancement comes to cold chain 

In this edition: Partnerships to enhance ports; acquisitions; and a special new kind of pizza.

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18 June
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Mo’ money, mo’ problems for brokers

In this edition: Breaking down the new FMCSA fee increase and a big freight payment partnership.

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17 June
Mary O'Connell

Borderless insurance coverage for shippers

Cargo insurance rates in Mexico are wildly different from the U.S. Mark Vickers breaks down the differences.

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14 June
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Cold chain gets royal treatment

In this edition: Dutch royalty comes to christen a new cold storage warehouse, supply chain wins at VC competition and a frozen food rebrand.

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11 June
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: IPO calls to logistics companies

In this edition: The rise of logistics companies looking to go public and the evolution of Denim.

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07 June
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Cold chain – the answer to food waste

In this edition: Food waste is becoming a bigger problem, new medium-duty electric truck hits the scene, and an award for best frozen dough.

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04 June
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Study highlights lingering disconnect between shippers, 3PLs

In this edition: The 2024 3PL study findings are out, and Convoy’s legacy lives on.

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May - 2024 -
31 May
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Freeze-dried vaccines

In this edition: a potential freeze-dried smallpox vaccine, Chicago’s growing cold storage market and developments to the cake pop world.

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28 May
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Here comes hurricane season

In this edition: Hurricane season is anticipated to be one for the books this year, and cross-border heats up in Texas.

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22 May
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Medium-duty, big advancements

In this edition: Two major announcements for medium-duty temperature-controlled trucks and another new type of ice cream.

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21 May
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The effects of nearshoring in Mexico

In this edition: Cross-border is here to stay and the cleanup for the Port of Baltimore.

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17 May
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Perishable direct-to-consumer fulfillment gets a leg up

In this edition: Direct-to-consumer fulfillment gets a facelift, the Midwest grows in cold storage and vegan pizzas make a splash.

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14 May
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Inspections for all

In this edition: International Roadcheck is here, and Mexico comes out a winner again.

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10 May
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Mother’s Day flower rush

In this edition: The logistics behind the second-biggest day for flowers, new developments in sustainable packaging and the rise of demand for ultracold solutions.

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07 May
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Q1 earnings did most carriers no favors

In this edition: First-quarter earnings hit some harder than others, and Cargado had a successful seed round of funding.

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03 May
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Kansas City thrust into the spotlight again

In this edition: The evolution of the Midwest Mexico Express, Polar Leasing expansion and Walmart develops a new brand.

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01 May
Mary O'Connell

CVSA International Roadcheck just around the corner

International Roadcheck has two key areas of concern this year. Knowing how to prepare is crucial.

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Apr - 2024 -
30 April
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Hope for a ban on noncompetes heads to court

In this edition: The dream that may or may not come true under the FTC’s new rule, and TFI International wants heavier freight.

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Mary O'Connell

Reducing accidents through driver training

Building a strong driver training program pays dividends in the long run.

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26 April
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Pyramids and the pharmaceutical supply chain

In this edition: Tower Cold Chain introduces a pyramid, the Port of Savannah gets a new neighbor, and consumer spending negatively impacts Nestle.

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23 April
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The broker dry spell

In this edition: Large brokerages take sizable hits, and an unlikely partnership could redeem a fast-fashion company.

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22 April
19 April
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: A new refrigerant on the scene

In this edition: Honeywell introduces a new type of refrigerant, Arcadia Cold moves to Chicago and pharma stands to get an overhaul.

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16 April
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: The hope of 2024 dashed

In this edition: 2024 might not end up being the white knight, and the Panama Canal opens up for additional volumes.

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12 April
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Cold chain solutions for pets

In this edition: Pet food gets a solution, Stord makes an acquisition and Conagra doubles down on frozen food.

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10 April
Mary O'Connell

Managing insurance costs for growing operations

In an environment where theft is a growing issue, knowing what’s covered is crucial.

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09 April
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Baltimore mounts a comeback

In this edition: The aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge destruction, and UPS and the U.S. Postal Service form a partnership.

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05 April
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Breaking down cold chain improvements

In this edition: Breaking down warehouse turnover and the demands on cold storage

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Mar - 2024 -
22 March
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: New cold storage and fruit as a package

In this edition: FreezPak chooses a new warehouse location, DP World expands globally and fruit coating as packaging replacement.

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19 March
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: AB5 takes a body blow

In this edition: Another hit to AB5, and the Southern gold rush has come.

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15 March
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: A partnership for the ages

In this edition: Chiquita and Daikin Reefer continue with what works, new robots that can thrive in any temperature and happy Frozen Food month.

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12 March
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Mexico rises to the top

In this edition: Mexico comes for the top spot and a partnership to automate LTL.

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08 March
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Autonomous trucks deliver food

In this edition: Kodiak’s autonomous trucks deliver for quick-service restaurants, vertical farms get an upcycle, and new sausages for the summer.

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05 March
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: ESG initiatives make a stand

In this edition: Why ESG initiatives matter now and the teamsters pull home another W.

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01 March
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Barbie comes to the freezer aisle

In this edition: Medtech expands on the East Coast, a new chemical facility in Arizona and Barbie comes to the freezer aisle.

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Feb - 2024 -
29 February
27 February
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: East Coast ports take center stage

In this edition: East Coast ports take center stage, demurrage charges get a hike, and another acquisition is complete.

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23 February
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Oakland has more than one set of A’s

In this edition: The Port of Oakland gets an A, the packaging revolution in pharma and the underwhelming performance of frozen food.

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20 February
Mary O'Connell

Take me to the ports

In this edition: Port roundup and the Teamsters are holding strong.

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Mary O'Connell

New Jersey law disrupts carrier insurance market

The newest regulation on insurance in New Jersey brings uncertainty to the motor carrier world.

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16 February
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Life sciences on the move

In this edition: DHL grows again, flowers for a sweetheart, and Taco Bell’s latest craze.

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13 February
Mary O'Connell

Supply chain M&A in 2024

In this edition: Mergers and acquisitions in 2024 and RXO finally shows its human side.

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09 February
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: The fulfillment trend grows

In this edition: Misfits Market moves to fulfillment, Interstate Cold Chain gets new equipment, and avocados are the Super Bowl winners.

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06 February
Mary O'Connell

No logistics, no football

In this edition: The Super Bowl and logistics, capacity begins to tighten and big jumps in the final-mile space.

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02 February
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: How cold can you go?

In this edition: New vials that are good for ultracold temps, an acquisition in the food space and frozen foods’ deep dive

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Jan - 2024 -
30 January
Mary O'Connell

Ghost jobs haunt the market

In this edition: The evolution of ghost jobs that are hiring but really aren’t, and a deal finally closes and moves forward.

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26 January
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Grip looks the future

In this edition: Grip heads for the fulfillment game, warm Georgia gets cold storage, and Ben & Jerry’s might have unlocked the best flavor of ice cream.

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23 January
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Fighting freight fraud with friends

In this edition: A partnership formed to fight freight fraud; what is the future of e-commerce?; And cross-border freight gets a tech infusion.

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19 January
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: It’s the 2024 Freezer Challenge

In this edition: The annual Freezer Challenge kicks off, imported fruit season has arrived, and Spain is the home of organ transplants.

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16 January
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: A first for the FMCSA

In this edition: The FMCSA has a first; Mexico holds the top spot; and freight audit and payment hits center stage.

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12 January
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Hearts across the country 

In this edition: Major success in organ transplants, new capacity from insurers, and frozen snacks expand.

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09 January
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Broker liability still remains questionable 

In this edition: The Supreme Court rejected hearing another case on broker liability; spot rates on the decline in Phoenix; and the settlement heard round the world.

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05 January
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: Big changes for middle-mile food supply chains

In this edition: More states take advantage of food-resiliency grants; thermal energy storage as a service hits the market; and KFC has a wrap for everyone.

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02 January
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: New year, new schemes 

In this edition: Stopping freight fraud in 2024 and all eyes on Mexico in the new year.

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Dec - 2023 -
28 December
Mary O'Connell

Running on Ice: International developments for the cold chain

In this edition: There are some big advancements across the pond in rail and carbon emissions reduction, and Oklahoma invests in supply chain reliability.

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26 December
Mary O'Connell

Check Call: Gather round the crystal ball

In this edition: 2024 predictions coming in hot; new TRAC Market Dashboard debuts; and TFI is on the prowl again.

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