Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025:
- The global music and entertainment icon has spent years on the road touring and hopes to improve drivers’ OTR experience.
- Weigh station bypass services expanded in this Northeast state.
- Own a Wabash step deck? It may be under a recall.
Dolly Parton gets into truck stop business
Dolly Parton will work with the Tennessean Travel Stop team to rebrand and revitilize the business. Shown, from left: Gregory H. Sachs, Chairman/CEO Sachs Capital Group & Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops; Dolly Parton; Danny Nozell, Founder/CEO CTK Enterprises & Parton’s Manager.Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stops
Country music icon Dolly Parton is once again diversifying her portfolio and getting involved in the truck stop business. Parton recently announced a strategic partnership with the team behind the Tennessean Travel Stop, to rebrand and revitalize its flagship Cornersville, Tennessee, location at Exit 22 along I-65 under a new name by early Summer 2026: Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop.
The collaboration unites the Tennessean Travel Stop brand with the Tennessee spirit of Dolly Parton, the new company said. The first rebranded location will serve as both a proof of concept and flagship for future sites planned under the Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops banner. Additional locations across Tennessee and beyond are set to be announced in 2026.
“I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,” Parton said. “All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafes, truck stops, and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what travelers desire on the road. Whether you are driving a truck, a bus, or a car, you want a place that feels like home and recharges you for the rest of your journey. I believe we will fill a void out there on the highways, all while bringing the heart and soul of Tennessee.”
While the partners are keeping specific design details under wraps until the official unveiling, the venture is already moving through the necessary permitting and partnership phases, setting the stage for expansion across key travel corridors in the coming years.
“The Tennessean has long been a ‘home away from home’ for truck drivers, travelers and locals alike,” said Gregory H. Sachs, chairman and CEO of the Tennessean Travel Stop and Sachs Capital Group. “Our roots in this community run deep -- we’ve created jobs, built connection, and welcomed generations of people through our doors. This new partnership allows us to carry that legacy forward in a way that celebrates everything special about Tennessee. Together with Dolly and her team, we’re reimagining what a travel stop can be -- transforming it into a warm, inviting destination where everyone feels welcome to slow down, kick up their feet, and stay awhile.”
The flagship location, which will remain open under renovation, will introduce an new travel experience that integrates modern amenities, curated dining, and authentic regional retail with the approachable comfort travelers expect from both brands, the company said.
“Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops will be more than a place to refuel -- it’s about recharging the spirit,” said Danny Nozell, CEO of CTK Enterprises and long-time manager of Parton. “This project reflects Dolly’s love for her home state and her commitment to supporting local business, community, and the travelers who keep America moving.”
PrePass expands weigh station bypass mobile app to Vermont
PrePass Safety Alliance on Wednesday announced the introduction of its PrePass weigh station bypass Mobile App offering in Vermont, allowing qualified commercial trucks to bypass at highway speeds, reducing delays at two key enforcement locations: I-91 Southbound in Putney and State Route 4 Eastbound in Fair Haven.
The PrePass Mobile App allows qualified carriers to receive bypass decisions and customizable safety alerts directly on their mobile or telematics device without requiring additional hardware. As trucks approach an inspection site, the app transmits safety scores, credential information, and other compliance data to enforcement officers. Vehicles that meet Vermont’s safety and credential standards may be cleared to continue at highway speeds, while officers can focus their attention on carriers that may present a higher risk.
“Bringing our mobile app bypass technology to Vermont enhances both safety and efficiency for everyone on the road,” said Mark Doughty, President & CEO of PrePass Safety Alliance. “The ability to screen trucks with digital infrastructure strengthens enforcement capability while reducing unnecessary stops for carriers who do things the right way. We’re proud to support Vermont’s efforts to modernize freight movement across the state.”
The two launch locations serve important regional and interstate freight corridors, connecting Vermont to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York.
“This technology gives our officers another effective tool to keep Vermont’s highways safe,” said Captain Matthew Nesto of the Vermont DMV Enforcement. “By using digital screening, we can direct our attention to where it’s needed most while helping compliant carriers move efficiently through the state. It’s a practical, data-driven approach that benefits both public safety and the trucking community.”
The introduction of the PrePass Mobile App in Vermont marks its 47th jurisdiction and adds momentum to the Alliance’s broader effort to expand digital bypass solutions throughout the Northeast and at more than 586 locations across North America.
[Related: New weigh station bypass opportunities in 13 states]
Wabash recalls 450 trailers for rear impact guard issues
More than 450 Wabash step deck trailers are being recalled because the incorrect rear impact guards may have been installed on the affected units.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, two separate recalls for the same issue are impacting 453 model year 2025-’26 Wabash step decks.
One of the recalls, affecting 295 trailers, are equipped with a rear impact guard with a 66-inch horizontal member that does not conform to certain requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 223, "Rear Impact Guards," and 224, "Rear Impact Protection."
The incorrect guard may not sufficiently protect a following vehicle during a rear-end crash, increasing the risk of injury, the recall notes.
Wabash will replace the rear impact guards, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 4. Owners may contact Wabash customer service at 1-765-771-5404. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-762.
The other recall, affecting 158 trailers, includes certain trailers equipped with an aluminum rear impact guard, which may not conform to certain requirements of FMVSS number 223, "Rear Impact Guards."
Wabash will replace the rear impact guards, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 5. Owners may contact Wabash customer service at 1-765-771-5404. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-774.
