What's on the radio: Monday, March 27th

Here’s the MPR News programming plan for Monday, March 27th, on the radio and on the stream. Missed a live show? Follow the links below to find our show archives and podcast feeds. And for daily news updates straight to your inbox every weekday morning, sign up for the MPR News a.m. newsletter.

9 a.m. — MPR News with Angela Davis

Minnesota tech: Jobs outweigh local skilled workers amid layoffs from tech giants

Tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Netflix and Meta have laid off a total of more than 100,000 employees in 2023.

Yet, Minnesota alone had 8,460 tech job postings in the month of February but not enough skilled workers to fill them, according to reports from the Minnesota Technology Association.

Also, for the third year in a row, Minnesota is dead last in the country when it comes to teaching K-12 students computer science in public schools.

Coming up at 9 a.m. on Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with local tech experts about why giant companies are laying off so many workers, and what’s being done to address the gap between open tech jobs and a lack of skilled workers in our state. 

We want to hear from you, too. Are you a tech company that’s hiring and willing to train workers? Tell us about it. Do you have a job in the tech industry or are you looking for one? What questions do you have for your guests about the tech industry right now? 

Call us during the 9 a.m. hour on Monday at 651-227-6000 or 800-242-2828, or Tweet @AngelaDavisMPR.

Guests:

  • Sharon Kennedy Vickers is the CEO of Software For Good, a company that makes apps and platforms that liberate and empower. In the past she was the chief information officer for the City of Saint Paul, overseeing cybersecurity, infrastructure and operations, digital solutions, technology business management and communications.

  • Joel Crandall is the vice president of talent for the Minnesota Technology Association. His passion is harnessing meaningful relationships and technical solutions to solve intractable challenges. Prior to joining MnTech, Joel held many roles over nearly 12 years at Genesys Works in the Twin Cities — a talent pipeline for students in underserved communities pursuing careers in business technology.

10 a.m. — 1A with Jenn White

A searing critique of America's foster care system

Next time on 1A, Jenn White asks if the state is too quick to remove children from their families?  That question is key to a tragic case in 2018 that saw a couple drive off a cliff with their six adopted children. Reporter Roxanna Asgarian explores this in her new book is “We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death and Child Removal in America.”

11 a.m. — 1A with Jenn White

The political fight over the SNAP food program

Democrats say they’re ready to play hardball to protect SNAP benefits. Next time, 1A looks at how the looming fight over the farm bill comes as millions of Americans adjust to the end of a pandemic-era food program.  Republicans are pushing for tougher work requirements, But will they get their way? 

Noon — Minnesota Now

Monday on Minnesota Now, we talk with U of MN researcher Matt Simcik about the MPCA's new plan for dealing with PFAS chemicals. We continue our celebration of women’s history month. Plus, all the latest regional news and weather.