12:00: Understanding cuts to SNAP and more
1:00: 'Connections Summer Sessions:' From the classroom to the arena: Rochester students take on robotics challenges
Thousands of people in the Rochester region are losing SNAP benefits due to new federal guidelines. According to reporting by WXXI's Noelle Evans, the Monroe County Department of Human Services closed 3,900 cases at the end of May due to non-compliance or not verifying an exemption to new work requirements for some people without dependents. This hour, we're joined by Rochester City Councilmember Mitch Gruber. He discusses the changes and answers listener questions. He also addresses a summer meal program. In studio:
- Mitch Gruber, Ph.D., member of Rochester City Council
Then in our second hour, it's "Connections Summer Sessions." This week's special rebroadcasts focus on how kids see a changing world. We end the week with a conversation with students from the Rochester City School District who were gearing up to compete in the second annual RCSD Flower City Frenzy Robotics Competition. In recent years, NPR has referred to robotics as a sport that builds the next generation of engineers. We talk with the students about the robots they've built, the skills they've learned, and how they hope to transfer their experiences beyond school walls, especially in the age of AI. Our guests:
- Sheldon Cox, executive director of career and technical education at the Rochester City School District
- Vicki Robertson, First Robotics mentor for the X-Cats at Wilson Magnet High School
- Daniel Newland, senior at Padilla High School and member of the electrical/programming team for XQ Robotics
- Charimar Colon, sophomore at Padilla High School and member of the mechanical/build team for XQ Robotics
- Noor Hussein, senior at Joseph C. Wilson High School and a robot driver/software lead for the X-Cats
- Angel Rios, sophomore at Joseph C. Wilson High School and a drive team coach and electrical lead for the X-Cats
- Izaya Sandsan, sophomore at East High School and a robot builder and controller for the Crimson Jewels
"Connections" is livestreamed each day on the WXXI News YouTube channel. Watch here.
