Tucson’s Conservative Talk

The first guest is retired Colonel Tom "Buzz" Rempfer, who's fought for those refusing the COVID and anthrax vaccines.

Betsy Brantner Smith joins to discuss Political Turbulence and Government Priorities.

Jennifer Clark helps parents navigate education.

Brett Mecum, Arizona Space Commission chairman to discuss Yesterday's Mars launch exciting. Blue Origin (Phoenix engineering office) launched, recovered booster—second after SpaceX. Escapade mission: $80 million—cheap for NASA. Commercial partners reduce costs for science.

Dave Smith and Betsy Smith stepped in to host Winn Tucson while Kathleen Winn attended an invitation-only aviation event in the Phoenix area with her husband, Al Winn. Al, a self-effacing engineer, served as the chief engineer behind the Apache helicopter. Joining the hosts was Remy, the Republican dog, whose pictures can be found on Betsy's Facebook and X account, @sgtbetsysmith. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, from the recent government reopening to local Tucson issues, crime, and retirement advice.

Ava Chen from the New Federal State of China highlighted the chaotic global landscape, noting an intensifying sense of impending major events. Domestically, the U.S. faces internal fights and differing opinions, while internationally, regional conflicts are escalating. President Trump recently brokered peace deals to end eight wars, but recent developments show fragility in these agreements.

Grant Krueger, a Tucson business owner and radio host, raised concerns over city proposals post the failure of Proposition 414's sales tax increase. The city seeks revenue for transit, eyeing increases in parking, bed tax, and advertising fees.

Currently at 0%, the advertising privilege tax could rise to 2.6%, affecting billboard, radio, and TV ads. "That would tax... if I'm going to buy an ad from, let's say a billboard or from a radio station or a television station," Krueger explained. This burdens small businesses reliant on local advertising, unlike chains.

Pima County's recent election has sparked significant concerns, prompting the Board of Supervisors to schedule a meeting with the county recorder and elections director. Supervisor Steve Christy, representing District 4 as the sole Republican on the board, highlighted issues raised by constituents, particularly regarding the outer envelope used for ballots.

Major Shannon Blake, U.S. Army retired and founder of Warrior SOAR (Support Outreach Assistance Recovery), shared how the organization combats veteran suicide through activity-based programs. After 20 years of service and medical retirement, Blake felt lost until other groups aided his recovery. Fundraising for them evolved into Warrior SOAR in 2017, driven by combat buddies' suicides.

Tony Cahn of Waveland Events partners with Warrior SOAR for baseball camps. Meeting Blake at a Boston Red Sox camp led to collaborations, including Northside Baseball Fantasy Camp for Cubs fans. "We live as ball players for a week," Cahn said, with Hall of Famers coaching.

Chris Salcedo, Newsmax host and author of The Rise of the Liberty Loving Latino: A New American Revolution, analyzed recent elections. Democrats won in blue states, but without a "blue wave." Victors included those funded by China ties, wishing harm on opponents, and a Marxist now overseeing New York commerce. Republicans faltered without Trump and America First.

Joel Strabala, retired Air Force veteran, detailed his career: 1980 Air Force Academy graduate, active duty until 1992. Pilot training at Williams AFB, F-4 and F-4G Wild Weasel at George AFB, then Germany. Served as air liaison officer, flew F-15E in Desert Storm.

Arizona faces a persistent teacher shortage, with over a thousand educators quitting since July and 4,000 vacancies filled only temporarily. Tom Horne, the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction, emphasized the urgency during his appearance on Winn Tucson. "I've been sounding the alarm on the teacher shortage for some time now because we've been losing more teachers than have been coming into the profession," Horne stated. He warned that without intervention, the state could face a complete collapse in its teaching workforce.

Laurie Moore joined Winn to discuss national and local politics. Moore noted delays in Adelita Grijalva's swearing-in and hoped for her focus on southern Arizona issues. They criticized Democratic leadership, including calls to replace Chuck Schumer.

Eric Weir, author of Who's Eating Your Pie?, addressed the aviation fallout from the government shutdown. "I think it's safe to fly... But the question is, are you going to fly at all?" Weir said, recounting family travel disruptions.

Ahead of Veterans Day, Master Sergeant Jack Dona discussed the Stolen Valor Act, named after his father. "With the stolen valor bill, I lost my dad last year... It was a great honor," Dona said, explaining its role in his grieving.

The bill targets false military claims for profit, sparked by a forged DD-214 form. "It's to protect their service and their honor and not let it be cheapened by people who would use unscrupulous means,"

Kathleen Winn welcomed Chorus Nylander, the chief investigative journalist at News 4 Tucson, for a heartfelt interview as he prepares to leave KVOA after five years. Nylander, who joined the station in November 2020, is transitioning to a new role in Florida but emphasized his continued commitment to journalism.

In a discussion timed ahead of Veterans Day, Kathleen Winn spoke with Ryan McDermott, an Iraq War veteran, former Pentagon official, Bronze Star recipient, and author of the acclaimed book Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet. McDermott emphasized that Veterans Day is about more than remembrance—it's about recognition, renewal, and continued service in civilian life.

Kathleen Winn delved into Operation Arctic Frost and broader election concerns with Jack Dona, a U.S. Army retired Master Sergeant with four decades in intelligence, including work at the National Security Agency and deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Eric Eggers, Vice President of Research at the Government Accountability Institute and author of Fraud: How the Left Plans to Steal the Next Election, joined Winn Tucson to analyze the New York City mayoral race. Eggers clarified that the election reflects demographic and ideological shifts in blue areas like New York, which has more citizens on housing assistance than any other state.

Bill Netherton, founder of Professional Bartenders Unlimited since 1984, shared his journey starting the company from the back of his 1977 Chevy van. Now operating from a 3,000-square-foot building in the Kaler Business Park, the company has weathered storms like 9/11 and COVID.

Congressman Abe Hamadeh discussed the government shutdown, expressing optimism for a continuing resolution post-election. He said, "There is a growing consensus that they believe it's going to open up that now that the elections are over, that some of these Democrats, you know, have feel the pressure."

Kathleen Winn opened her shortened China Watch Wednesday segment with a nod to co-host Ava Chen's illness, blaming New York election fallout for the malaise. Filling the gap solo, Winn detailed outcomes from President Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping—results she called "understated" amid national news overload.

China agreed to suspend 24% additional tariffs on U.S. goods for one year while retaining a 10% levy. As the world's top agricultural buyer, Beijing will lift tariffs up to 15% on U.S. farm products starting November 10, paving the way for massive soybean purchases. "That'll help our farmers," Winn said, highlighting Trump's negotiation of a one-year open trade in rare earth minerals worth billions in soybean sales alone.

Desert Dog Canine Trials: Honoring Furry Four-Legged Officers

Anthony "Tony" Sanborn, Scottsdale PD officer and Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association (ALECA) member, joined to promote the memorial repair and weekend event.

Pima County made national headlines on November 5, 2025, not for record turnout but for barring election observers from polling sites—a move branded as "third world, banana Republic style" by state Representative Alex Kolodin. Host Kathleen Winn opened Winn Tucson with breaking news: Republicans and Democrats alike were turned away starting at 6 a.m., despite prior sign-ups and Arizona law mandating observer access wherever voting occurs.

Ward 3 candidate JL Wittenbraker, who knocked on thousands of doors, told Winn the city council's lockstep voting has created a silo of failed policies. She spoke with Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike—all demanding change.

Pima County GOP election board member Joel Strabala revealed the bait-and-switch: everyone assumed the elections department would run vote centers. Instead, the recorder took control, citing an October 2 policy letter applying early voting rules—no observers—to Election Day.

Ian Trottier, author of High Stakes Treason: How John Brennan Compromised American Security for a Million, returned to Winn Tucson to reveal explosive developments in his investigation into the former CIA director. The book, forwarded by Roger Stone and built on research from former FBI agent John Donovan, accuses Brennan of orchestrating a complex scheme that predates the Russia collusion hoax, profiting nearly $5 million while jeopardizing national security.

Kelly Walker, former Tucsonan and Parents Demanding Justice Alliance founder, addressed the viral scandal at Cienega High School in Vail School District. Math teachers wore "Problem Solved" T-shirts splattered with blood-like stains for Halloween, seven weeks after Charlie Kirk's assassination and post-Trump attempt.

Joel Strabala, Pima County GOP chair, detailed tomorrow's city election logistics. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at eight sites; drop ballots at three unattended boxes or sites like Broadway/Kolb, 240 N. Stone (walk-up/drive-up), or emergencies at recorder offices/City Elections building.