General Motors in Kokomo is hiring for more than 1,000 full- and part-time workers in Kokomo to help it meet demand for medical ventilators during the coronavirus outbreak.

In March, General Motors began working with Seattle-area ventilator maker Ventec Life Systems to increase the company's production. A short time later the automaker began lining up parts suppliers and retooling an electronics factory in Kokomo to build the devices.

President Donald Trump ordered General Motors on Friday to accelerate ventilator production under the Defense Production Act.

The automaker said Monday that it's working around the clock with Ventec Life Systems of Washington State to build more of the critical medical devices.

Employees at the transmission plant were notified Thursday that one of their coworkers has a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Thursday announced details on its plans to convert a once-idled transmission plant in Kokomo to build engines.

A Kokomo councilman whose predecessor resigned after posting Islamophobic comments online says he will not step down after he was also criticized for sharing similar views on Facebook.

The decision comes after GM and union officials were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract over issues including wages, health care and profit-sharing.

Two temporary layoffs at a local Chrysler transmission plant occurred during the time period the Bureau of Labor Statistics uses to calculate unemployment for the month.