Guests – Betsy Smith, Dr. Gilda Carle, Dave Smith, Laurie Moore
The Nancy Guthrie Case: A Rift in Law Enforcement Leadership
Two weeks into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her Catalina Foothills home, frustration is mounting—not just over the lack of progress, but over an apparent breakdown in coordination between the Pima County Sheriff's Office and the FBI.
Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association and a retired sergeant with deep ties to the community, joined Kathleen Winn to discuss the latest developments.
"The Sheriff's Department, under Chris Nanos, sent key evidence—including gloves—to a private lab in Florida rather than to the FBI's renowned Quantico facility," Brantner Smith said. "Inside the department, people are saying Nanos is icing out the FBI. He denies it, claims he has a great relationship with them, but actions speak louder."
Brantner Smith called for an immediate joint press conference. "This is Police Leadership 101. When you have a major case, you get in front of the media—even for 10 or 15 minutes—to update the public. There's media row at the Guthrie home, at the Sheriff's Department, even at Annie Guthrie's house. National and international outlets are here. Yet Nanos hasn't held a substantive press conference in over a week."
The lack of transparency, she argued, is eroding public confidence. "Deputies and agents in the field are trying to get cooperation, but all anyone wants to talk about is 'What's up with the Sheriff?' A joint appearance would end the speculation today."
Winn agreed, highlighting the added stress on the family. "If I'm the Guthrie family, I'm already under unimaginable pressure. Then I hear key evidence went to a Florida lab instead of Quantico, and the Sheriff says 'nothing to see here.' That's another layer of anxiety they don't need."
Brantner Smith also criticized Nanos for speaking primarily to local reporters she described as protective of him, while avoiding national media. "This is a missing elderly woman. This is a retirement community full of seniors wondering if that masked man will show up on their doorstep. When people lose faith in leadership, they're less likely to cooperate."
She pointed to a lack of public awareness efforts. "Someone in Texas posted flyers about Nancy Guthrie. Here? I'm seeing more missing-cat posters than anything about her."
Melania Trump on Film: Grace, Strength, and a New Voting Bloc
Later in the program, relationship expert and behaviorist Dr. Gilda Carle joined Winn to discuss the new documentary about Melania Trump—and why it has struck such a nerve.
"I went in with no expectations," Winn said, "and came out impressed. It wasn't about Donald Trump; it was about her. It showed a side of her the public hasn't seen before—elegant, graceful, caring."
Carle agreed. "She had strength in her grace. She was feminine—not feminist. She clearly loves her son and her husband, but most of all, she's a thoughtful human being. That's what spoke loudest to me."
The film revealed strong attendance numbers—72% female, 83% over age 45. Carle sees this as a wake-up call for Republicans.
"This is a new potential voting bloc: older women," Carle said. "They've been unheard, slighted, dismissed. Suddenly they're letting the world know they're not invisible. Republicans need to run with this."
Winn noted the theaters were packed, mostly with women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s—many attending in groups. "It wasn't political theater. It was genuine interest in a woman who embodies class at a time when we see so much negativity from the left."
Carle tied it to broader cultural trends. "Women become invisible in society after a certain age. This film was an outpouring saying, 'We have something to say.' Melania is walking beautifully into her own legacy."
The conversation turned to young men—won over in the last election largely through Barron Trump—and the need to cultivate both demographics. "Women are often the household budget keepers," Carle added. "They understand fraud and waste viscerally."
Winn praised Melania's evolution. "She was quiet the first term—under constant attack. These four years off served her well. Now she owns it. She's elevating the role of First Lady with real impact."
Pima County Politics: Board of Supervisors, Election Integrity, and Border Issues
Longtime activists Dave Smith and Laurie Moore joined Winn to preview next Tuesday's Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting and broader local concerns.
Smith issued a direct call to action. "Every time these meetings happen, nobody shows up. You have to show up. Supervisor Steve Christie—the lone Republican—asked for support. The left will be there in force."
Topics include a proposed immigrant detention facility in Marana, mask policies for law enforcement, and election observer rules. Moore highlighted irony in the mask debate. "The suspect in the Guthrie case wore a mask. Did he get the memo that masks aren't allowed?"
Smith called the board "psychotic leftists" who hide behind euphemisms. "They want more taxes, more spending, but roads are horrific, homelessness is rampant, and property crime is the highest in the state—yet rarely prosecuted."
On elections, Moore described new mobile voting units donated by the Tohono O'odham Nation. "Observers are required by law, but they've allotted a two-by-three-foot box for five people. For the mobile units? No observer space at all. That violates chain-of-custody standards."
Winn announced a joint effort between the Oversight Project and Pima County Republican Party. "We sent a letter to Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes demanding they disavow provisions in the 2025 Elections Procedure Manual that restrict free speech for voters and poll watchers. If they refuse, a fully funded lawsuit will follow."
Smith tied local dysfunction to national attention from the Guthrie case. "National media are stunned by Tucson politics, the sheriff's leadership, the crime rates. This spotlight might finally force accountability."
Karen Taylor Robeson Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign
In a late-breaking development, Karen Taylor Robeson suspended her campaign for Arizona governor, narrowing the Republican primary to Congressmen Andy Biggs and David Schweikart.
Winn expressed admiration. "Karen has worked tirelessly for Arizona. She loves this state deeply and would do anything to protect it from radicalism. She's humbled by the support but, after prayer and family consultation, decided to step back—not from the fight, but from this race."
Winn urged unity. "Internal fighting only weakens our cause. We have to beat Katie Hobbs. Arizona's future hangs on this election."
A Personal Note on Family and Fighting Forward
Winn closed with a personal reflection on what would have been her father's 90th birthday.
"He was a Marine, 100% Italian, proud, funny, and tough. Raised three daughters to believe actions matter. He put himself through engineering school on the GI Bill, worked hard his whole life, and in retirement taught math to at-risk kids—treating everyone the same."
She tied it to the broader struggle. "Our parents leave impressions—good and bad. We take the best and build on it. That's why we keep fighting: for family, for Arizona, for the next generation. We're not going down quietly."
Winn encouraged listeners to enjoy Valentine's Day weekend, support the Wildcats, and stay engaged. "We'll be back Tuesday—ready to hold leadership accountable and restore order."