Guests - Grant Krueger, Lydia Hernandez, Jared Knott
Community Reflections and Leadership in Turbulent Times
Kathleen Winn opens the show acknowledging personal losses in the Tucson community, including the unexpected death of a 40-year-old friend’s son who left behind a wife and two young children. She also pays tribute to Chris Sheaf and his wife Jackie, who were killed in a plane crash in Marana while returning from the Final Four. Chris had been a frequent guest, collaborator, and friend who supported community projects and maintained strong ties through Kathleen’s son-in-law. “He was a good guy and he did so much for this community and for Pima County and for Tucson and everything and for candidates,” she recalls. “His heart for the community… it’s kind of a dying breed.”
Grant Krueger on the Legacy of Chris and Jackie Sheaf
Grant Krueger joins to share memories of Chris Sheaf, highlighting his decades of service to Tucson. Chris served as treasurer of the Rio Nuevo board since 2012, after it transitioned from city control to a state-appointed board. “Chris did a great job at that just in the same way he did a great job in business going all the way back to the Estes homes,” Krueger notes. He led the Tucson Airport Authority and was an avid aviation enthusiast. Krueger emphasizes Chris’s deep knowledge of Tucson history, water rights, and development. “He would just tell amazing stories of the history of Tucson and the water rights and the formation of the water and sewer utilities.”
Krueger describes the profound impact of losing both Chris and Jackie. “What a tremendous loss for Tucson to lose both Chris and Jackie.” He praises their volunteerism and generosity, noting that Chris’s contributions extended far beyond business into civic leadership. “We’re really going to miss them,” he adds. Krueger stresses that the community must honor their legacy by continuing to prioritize service and historical understanding. “If you don’t learn your history, you’re doomed to repeat it.”
Lydia Hernandez on House Bill 4109 and School Safety Accountability
Arizona State Representative Lydia Hernandez discusses House Bill 4109, which requires every school district to adopt a clear, enforceable public safety policy. The bill mandates immediate notification to parents and law enforcement in cases of life-threatening violence or credible threats, along with confiscation of weapons and whistleblower protections. “It establishes accountability for responding to life-threatening violence or credible threats,” she explains.
Hernandez shares a recent incident at Maryvale High School in the Phoenix Union High School District, where a 16-year-old student was stabbed and killed in a classroom. Parents received no immediate formal notification. “The information was first… that it had been actual scissors,” she recalls, noting the district minimized details or lacked accurate information. Two days later, communication remained dismissive. “Parents were not asking for identifying details. They wanted to know: Is it safe to bring my child to school?”
The bill addresses failures in districts like Phoenix Union, which has chosen not to employ school resource officers and relies on security guards. “They do have security that they hire… but they’re not trained law enforcement officers.” Hernandez criticizes administrators for prioritizing image over transparency. “They want to look good versus safety inside the school.” She notes bipartisan support for the legislation and urges parents to contact their legislators and the governor’s office. “They need to be calling their state representatives… the governor’s office.”
Jared Knott on Iran Negotiations, Trump’s Strategy, and California’s Political Landscape
International bestselling author Jared Knott analyzes President Trump’s handling of Iran. He praises the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Iranian oil exports and the deployment of advanced minesweeping technology in the Strait of Hormuz. “The United States apparently has systems that can find them and can clear a pathway for ships to go through,” he states. This action severely impacts Iran’s economy, as a high percentage of its oil exports pass through the strait.
Knott notes the regime’s history of sponsoring terrorism through groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. “We’re dealing with fanatics who are unhinged, who are beyond unreasonable.” He supports Trump’s approach of maximum pressure combined with negotiation. “Trump really does care about making the world safe from an Iran that has a nuclear weapon.” Knott warns that the regime’s apocalyptic ideology makes nuclear weapons especially dangerous. “They dream of martyrdom… they surely would” use them.
On domestic politics, Knott discusses California’s struggles under Democratic leadership. He contrasts it with successful Republican-led states like Florida and Texas. “Look at Texas booming… Florida… very successful. California going very poorly.” He highlights mismanagement, including billions spent on high-speed rail with little progress and failures to rebuild homes after fires. Knott notes the absence of strong Democratic presidential contenders. “They do not have Barack Obama. They do not have a Bill Clinton… they just really have no one.”
Knott expresses optimism for the 2028 presidential race if current trends continue, citing talented Republican leaders like Doug Burgum, Scott Bessent, Marco Rubio, and JD Vance. He urges focus on midterms while recognizing the need for sustained economic and foreign policy success. “If things work out there in Iran… we have a good reason for hope that we may get maybe a story with a happy ending.”