Guests - Josh Jacobson, Dave Smith, Pamela Neal
A Community on Edge: Crime, Tragedy, and Hope in Tucson
On a brisk Thursday morning in Tucson, Kathleen Winn opened her show with a mix of optimism and urgency. Fresh off a successful event with Fox News contributor Joe Concha at the Tucson Country Club, she welcomed listeners with excitement about the undefeated Arizona Wildcats and a sober pivot to the city’s most pressing concerns: the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, systemic issues at the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, and the broader struggle for public safety.
Joe Concha Event: Laughter and Connection
The previous evening’s fundraiser featuring Joe Concha drew a packed house. Winn described the Fox News personality as “very personable,” sharing stories of his family life while signing books. “He was signing books, but he’s telling his daughter where to find the ski masks,” Winn recounted with a laugh. The event raised money for the Republican Party, with signed copies still available for future fundraising. For many attendees, meeting Concha felt like bringing Fox News into their living rooms—made real over good food and better company.
The Nancy Guthrie Case: A Community Searching for Answers
The mood shifted when Winn turned to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a prominent foothills resident and mother of Savannah Guthrie. “Nothing like this has happened up here,” Winn noted, citing residents stunned by the rarity of violent crime in the area. Pima County recorded only six homicides outside Tucson city limits last year, making this case particularly jarring.
Winn and guest Josh Jacobson of the Tucson Crime Free Coalition expressed heartbreak for the family while acknowledging the unusual level of attention the case has received. “You’ve got the President of the United States offering all federal assets,” Jacobson pointed out. “We don’t see this for everybody else.” Both emphasized that most homicides are committed by someone known to the victim—60 to 70 percent—and urged caution against unsubstantiated conspiracy theories while law enforcement continues its investigation.
Criticism of Sheriff Nanos and Resource Mismanagement
A recurring theme was frustration with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Winn and Jacobson highlighted staffing shortages—45 percent of deputies have less than five years’ experience—and allegations of a toxic work environment driving experienced officers away. Most strikingly, they revealed that days before Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, a 17-year veteran fixed-wing pilot was reportedly reassigned to patrol over a minor complaint, leaving the department’s advanced aircraft unavailable.
“They chose to use the helicopter that doesn’t have FLIR or any camera,” Jacobson said. “We’re going to use not-as-good equipment because we’re mad at the guy who can fly the plane that has the best equipment.” Winn called it “a failing of this sheriff” and questioned why county supervisors have not held him accountable for mismanaging taxpayer resources.
Josh Jacobson: Tucson Crime Free Coalition and the Bigger Picture
Josh Jacobson, founder of the Tucson Crime Free Coalition, now in its third year, joined Winn to discuss the organization’s street-level work and the flood of messages from families seeking help for unsolved cases. “We get flooded with requests about people looking for lost loved ones or homicides that didn’t get media attention,” he said.
Jacobson highlighted the disparity in attention given to high-profile cases versus others: mothers searching for sons killed in drive-by shootings, victims ignored by media. He also addressed persistent crime around city buses—one homicide already this year—and criticized the lack of enforcement. City Manager Tim Tom Ure has acknowledged that officers hesitate to make arrests when prosecution seems unlikely, a dynamic Jacobson tied to Pima County Attorney Laura Conover’s policies. “When you have an elected official who can choose which laws to enforce, it’s not fair,” Winn added.
Both expressed concern over progressive prosecution trends affecting not just criminals but officers and good Samaritans facing charges for intervening in crimes.
Tragic Loss of DPS Helicopter Pilots
The show took a somber turn with news of an overnight crash of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter in Flagstaff. Both pilots were killed while responding to an active shooter incident.
Retired DPS Lieutenant Dave Smith joined Winn to mourn the loss. “This is a very dangerous profession,” Smith said, noting the challenges of flying at 7,000 feet where engine power and lift are reduced. “These guys risk their lives every day.” The suspect was taken into custody with non-fatal injuries, and the NTSB is leading the investigation. Winn and Smith paid tribute to the fallen pilots, many of whom are military veterans, and emphasized the risks law enforcement faces daily.
Pamela Neal and the Southern Arizona Heart Ball
Amid the heavy topics, Pamela Neal brought a message of hope. As honorary chair of the upcoming Southern Arizona Heart Ball—“Rubies and Boots”—she is raising funds to equip schools with CPR kits and AED machines. “We do not want our children going down on an athletic field with no access to an AED,” Neal said passionately.
The gala, set for Saturday at Westin La Paloma, aims to raise $2 million to supply 458 schools across multiple counties. Neal, honoring her late husband—a 100 percent disabled Air Force veteran who died of a heart attack—stressed the life-saving impact of readily available equipment and training. Limited seats may still be available by calling 516-519-2888 before 1 p.m. Thursday, and donations can be made online.
Roads, Taxes, and Trust: Propositions 418 and 419
Winn devoted significant time to the upcoming special election on Propositions 418 and 419, which would extend the half-cent Regional Transportation Authority sales tax for another 20 years, generating $2.67 billion. She expressed deep skepticism about the plan’s execution and trustworthiness, citing the previous 20-year plan’s failure to complete all commitments due to budget shortfalls blamed on the Great Recession and COVID.
“The city is unwilling to give up their free bus system, which sticks in the craw of most voters,” Winn said. She warned that even if the propositions pass, Tucson could pursue separate ballot measures centered on climate change and 15-minute city concepts. Voters must approve both propositions for the plan to move forward, with ballots mailing February 11 and election day March 10.
Closing Thoughts: Prayer, Basketball, and Hope
Winn closed with reflections on the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., a tradition since 1953 that brings leaders together across party lines in the spirit of reconciliation. She urged listeners to pray for the nation, its leaders, and especially the Guthrie family.
On a lighter note, she celebrated the Arizona Wildcats’ undefeated season and upcoming game against Oklahoma State, with tickets still available for Saturday’s matchup.
Through tragedy, frustration, and determination, Winn and her guests painted a portrait of a community grappling with serious challenges yet refusing to lose hope. From calls for accountability in law enforcement to fundraising for children’s lives, Tucson remains a city fighting to reclaim safety, trust, and pride.