General Motors says it’s laying off more than a thousand workers at its Detroit-Hamtramck electric vehicle plant due to weak demand.

The Detroit News reports GM is cutting production at Factory Zero to a single shift. It’s also cutting hundreds of jobs at EV battery plants in Ohio and Tennessee.

The layoffs follow the expiration of federal tax credits for EV buyers and pressure from the Trump administration to build more gasoline-powered cars and trucks. 

Additional headlines from Thursday, October 30, 2025

Detroit settles lawsuit over pedestrian death

The city of Detroit has agreed to pay nearly $6 million to settle a lawsuit over the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a bus. It was the second fatality involving the same driver since 2015.

A Wayne County judge signed off on the deal last week. Janice Bauer, 67, was hit by a city bus while walking in a downtown crosswalk in 2023. The driver, Geraldine Johnson, was sentenced to six months in jail a year ago after pleading no contest to a moving violation causing death.

– Reporting by AP 

DTE Energy net profit updates

DTE Energy is reporting net profits of $419 million in the third quarter of this year.  The earnings, not including non-recurring costs, hit $2.25 per share.  That beat Wall Street analysts’ expectations.  The company says it has invested $3 billion this year to improve electric and natural gas infrastructure. 

Short-term rental tax

A state House bill would let local governments ask voters to approve taxes on short-term rentals.

Republican Representative Mark Tisdel is one of the sponsors. He says communities are incurring costs that exceed existing tax revenue from rentals. 

“If you’re renting that out to different short-term renters all summer long, that’s their week on the beach to howl. And it creates a problem for the houses on either side, which creates a problem for the police. Those expenses have to be covered.” 

The Michigan Association of Realtors says it wants lawmakers to include limits on local regulations meant to shut out short term rentals.  

Honorary street signs

Detroit City Council approved several honorary street signs for local leaders and influencers, including Imam Abdullah El-Amin. El-Amin was a prominent faith leader in Detroit and co-founder of the Muslim Center of Detroit. 

Among other recipients are Reverend JoAnn Watson, Mudgie’s Deli founder Gregory Mudge, and Viola Liuzzo. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroit’s candidates for mayor are in their final weeks of campaigning.  And a new poll shows voters are making up their minds.  

A Detroit News/WDIV-TV poll shows City Council President Mary Sheffield with a commanding lead in the race over Pastor Solomon Kinloch.  The survey…conducted from October 16-18 shows Sheffield supported by about 65% of those surveyed, Kinloch with 14%, and about 20% undecided.  

The Glengariff Group conducted the poll of 500 respondents.  The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

Just a reminder: a poll is a snapshot in time of the people surveyed.  Polls don’t vote – people do.  Early voting starts on Saturday.  Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, October 22, 2025

GM Earns 

General Motors reports that it earned $1.3 billion in the third quarter of this year.  The Detroit automaker says its adjusted earnings hit $2.80 per share, surpassing Wall Street analysts’ expectations.  Third quarter revenue passed $48.5 billion.  

The automaker says Cadillac’s North American sales were the best for the first three quarters of the year since 2013 and GMC posted the best year to date sales ever.   GM’s stock price jumped 15% after news of the earnings was released. 

Diwali celebration 

Detroiters will have a chance to learn more about South Asian culture through this week’s Diwali in the D festival.  Diwali is the Hindu celebration of lights, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. 

Diwali in the D offers free events throughout this week and runs through Saturday. 

First Responders BBQ 

A local veterans’ group is holding a special barbecue in Detroit on Friday.  

Chapter 9 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will hold the event to show its appreciation for the city’s first responders.  Police officers and firefighters are invited to come to the barbecue from noon-5 p.m. on Friday. 

It’s being held at the Chapter 9 headquarters – 2951 Woodward at Temple in Detroit.  That’s just north of Little Caesars’ Arena. 

Smokeless Ban 

Detroit City Council has approved an ordinance banning the use of smokeless tobacco in the city’s sports stadiums.  

Smoking of cigarettes and e-cigarettes has been prohibited in the facilities for years.  City Councilman Fred Durhal says the new measure will help provide a healthier example to Detroit’s young people.  

The new ban applies to Comerica Park, Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena. 

Pistons Opener 

The Detroit Pistons open their new season on the road tonight against the Chicago Bulls.  

Detroit finished last season with 44 wins and 38 losses. Pistons guard Jaden Ivey had knee surgery recently and is expected to miss the next four weeks.  

Tip off at the United Center tonight is at 8 p.m. ET.    

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.