Automotive

Stellantis reverses plans, will reopen Belvidere Assembly plant

Jan. 23, 2025

Stellantis has committed to reopening its shuttered Belvidere Assembly plant in Illinois to build an all-new mid-size pickup truck in 2027 and return approximately 1,500 union-represented jobs, the United Auto Workers announced in a press release Wednesday. Stellantis also announced plans to build the next generation Dodge Durango SUV at its Detroit Assembly Complex in Michigan, which was previously canceled, according to the UAW. In response to Stellantis’ updated plans, the UAW has agreed to settle its past grievances with the automaker concerning the closure of Belvidere Assembly, as well as grievances surrounding its decision to end production of the previous generation Durango after the 2024 model year.

Automotive

EV sales top 1.3M units in the US in 2024

Jan. 23, 2025

U.S. sales of electric vehicles topped 1.3 million units in 2024, a 7.3% year-over-year increase, Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book said in a Jan. 13 press release. Q4 sales set a best-ever quarterly sales mark with 365,824 units sold, a 15.2% YoY improvement, according to the release. Sales benefited from strong automaker incentives and leasing deals, as well as federal and state programs. Cox Automotive’s report coincides with automakers’ Q4 sales numbers, with many reporting record-breaking domestic sales aided by surging demand for EVs.

International News

Trump says China controls the Panama Canal — but here's how it really works

Jan. 23, 2025

A quarter-century after the U.S. handed control of the Panama Canal to Panama, President Donald Trump wants to take it back. Early this month, Trump suggested he would consider using military force to regain control of the canal from Panama, one of the U.S.'s closest allies in Latin America, describing it as “vital” for national security.

Sports

Capitals netminder Logan Thompson blames rogue nacho platter for Oilers goal

Jan. 22, 2025

Edmonton Oilers star Corey Perry likely had one of the most unusual assists of his career during the third period of Tuesday night’s game against the league-leading Washington Capitals. The Oilers were trailing 3-1 to start the third period when center Leon Draisaitl skated into Washington’s zone, making a quick pass to Perry, who beat Capitals netminder Logan Thompson to cut the lead to a one-goal deficit.

Entertainment

Do politics fit in the book social media world? Inside the 'reading is political' debate

Jan. 22, 2025

In November, a chasm opened in the middle of one of the most popular online reading spaces. It started after the election, as political chatter bled into BookTok. On one side of the app, readers begged users to refrain from connecting politics and novels. On the other, readers argued that these conversations are necessary because "reading is political."

Sports

Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin trades blows with Senators star as game descends into chaos

Jan. 22, 2025

Scrums after the whistle are common in the NHL. What isn’t common is when you see a superstar goalie join the fracas after the whistle. During the New York Rangers' 5-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday in New York, star goalie Igor Shesterkin charged right into the middle of the fight and was ready to swing. The Rangers were up 3-0 with 12:51 left in the third period over the Senators when things got crazy in Madison Square Garden.

Automotive

Trump is taking aim at electric vehicles. He may not have the power to change things all that much

Jan. 22, 2025

President Donald Trump took aim at federal and state support for electric vehicles on his first day in office. But it’s not clear he has the power he’s claimed on the topic. In his executive order, Trump said he was eliminating the “electric vehicle mandate.” But there has never been a federal mandate that prohibited Americans from buying gasoline-powered cars, as he claimed in his inaugural address.

Sports

Mother of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew says sons are ‘happy fans in heaven’ after Eagles win

Jan. 22, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles heading to Super Bowl LIX had Jane Gaudreau, the mother of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew, thinking about her two sons on Sunday night. Hockey may be the Gaudreau family’s top sport, but being from South New Jersey, the Eagles are just as prominent.

Weather

Snow falls in Houston and New Orleans as rare storm sweeps Gulf Coast

Jan. 22, 2025

Weather likely played a role in at least four deaths as several states declared emergencies, with temperatures expected to be 20 to 30 degrees below the January average.

Entertainment

Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen lead the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Award nominations

Jan. 22, 2025

Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen lead the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Award nominations with 10, followed closely by Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter and Post Malone with nine. The iHeartRadio Music Awards honor the most played artists of the year on its stations and app. This year, the show will also pay tribute to Los Angeles following the wildfires and drive donations to FireAidLA.org. FireAid is a star-studded benefit concert organized for wildfire relief featuring Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, Green Day, Joni Mitchell and more. Contributions to FireAidLA.org and from ticket sales “will be distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation, for short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to