GM is cutting thousands of jobs, Ohio goes all-in on bitcoin, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

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General Motors will slash 10,000 jobs, or 15% of its salaried workforce in North America, with more than half of cuts hitting the U.S. The auto giant is scrapping production of vehicles including the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac CT6 sedans in a $3.8 billion-restructuring effort aimed at refocusing efforts on building autonomous and zero-emission vehicles. GM says it will halt production at plants in Michigan, Ohio, Maryland and Ontario, Canada, in 2019. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Ohio businesses will be able to register this week to pay various taxes with bitcoin — making the Buckeye State likely the first to accept such payments. State Treasurer Josh Mandel says the option offers convenience for businesses and gives Ohio a place in crypto history. Arizona, Georgia and Illinois have considered similar payment options, but those movements stalled. Cryptocurrencies are currently facing a tough regulatory environment and falling values: Bitcoin has plummeted about 80% since its peak last year. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Leadership shake-ups in tech

• WhatsApp Chief Business Officer Neeraj Arora announced his resignation from Facebook, seven months after the departure of the app’s co-founder, Jan Koum, and the latest in a string of exec exits at the social network. ? Here’s what people are saying.
• Airbnb has hired an Amazon exec — Dave Stephenson — to be its CFO. The home-sharing platform, valued at $31 billion in March 2017, has set an IPO for sometime before 2020. In September, Airbnb asked the S.E.C. to change its rules so that it could potentially offer its hosts stock ahead of a public listing. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is overhauling the approval process for most medical devices. The 510(k) process allows medical devices to be marketed if they are similar to products already greenlit by regulators. A recent investigation highlighted the process’s risks. The FDA now wants companies to base new products on devices no older than 10 years. The new pathway for medical devices is expected to be finalized next year. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Industrial giant United Technologies plans to spin off its Otis and Carrier brands, breaking itself into three companies, reports The Wall Street Journal. The Otis division, which makes elevators, and Carrier, which makes heating and air conditioning systems, will form separate companies by 2020, leaving United Technologies to focus on aerospace. The move comes as "investors are pressuring traditional conglomerates to justify their existence," including the company's rival GE, which itself broke apart in recent years. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: Running your own business can be hard, but always remember why you started, says Jill Henderson, Co-Founder/Director at The Winey Cow.

“Don’t let negative commentary from people who don’t understand what you do get you down. Remember the 80/20 rule and if you can satisfy 80% all the time, you’re doing ok .”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

— Carmel Melouney