Understanding the Turkey-Syria Earthquake | Tech Workers Recruited for State Jobs | Wild & Scenic Film Festival

The historical context amplifying the humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria after a powerful and deadly earthquake. The state of California is looking to hire thousands of laid-off tech workers. A preview of this year’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Grass Valley and Nevada City.  

Turkey-Syria earthquake

On Monday, February 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and 7.5-magnitude aftershock devasted Turkey and Syria, killing at least 36,000 people, and the death toll is still rising. The region affected by the earthquake has been struggling with political instability and unrest for years, making it difficult for humanitarian aid organizations to respond effectively to the disaster. Concerns about Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his coalition government’s response to the crisis have also raised questions if the death toll could have been minimized. The disaster in Turkey is one of the most complex and challenging humanitarian crises in recent history, with issues that spill into Syria and those displaced in the last decade by its civil war. Insight invited Baki Tezcan, a professor of History at UC Davis, onto the program to help unpack the history and challenges both countries are facing in the crisis. 

Tech worker recruitment

The number of tech-related layoffs in California has been staggering. Since just the beginning of 2023, high-tech companies based in California have already let go of almost 25,000 positions. That is seriously outpacing all of the tech layoffs from last year - when the tech industry shed 44,000 jobs. Many analysts believe these jobs were the result of tech companies over-hiring during the COVID pandemic – and forced to shed payrolls as the economic headwinds of 2023 point to a slowdown in the economy, even possibly a recession. While layoffs of any kind are unpleasant, the state of California is looking to seize the opportunity by announcing a new program to try and lure laid-off tech workers into a career in state service. Matthias Jaime, who oversees the technology portfolio of California's Government Operations Agency, joined Insight to provide more details for this new recruiting mission for California’s tech workers. 

Wild & Scenic film festival

Nevada County is getting ready to welcome festival goers to take in more than 100 unique films with a common thread. Reminding us of our relationship with nature and perhaps inspiring actions to preserve and restore the environment. The 21st annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival kicks off this Thursday and the five-day festival runs through Monday in both Grass Valley and Nevada City, with CapRadio among the list of sponsors. From adventure to activism, health, food, traveling the ocean, and getting up close to wildlife, there are plenty of films to choose from. Festival Director Lívia Campos de Menezes joined Insight to share what to expect this year.