Guests - Betsy Smith, Rachel Keshel, Laurie Moore
Update on the Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
Host Kathleen Winn opened the discussion with Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association, reflecting on the ongoing case of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance in Tucson. "We've all come to the same conclusion unfortunately that Miss Guthrie has probably gone on, and we just now need to recover," Winn noted, emphasizing the shift from search to recovery efforts. Smith added that most FBI agents have pulled out of Tucson, with Savannah Guthrie preparing to return to New York. "A lot of FBI agents live here, but they've done what they can," Smith explained.
The conversation highlighted frustrations with local law enforcement, particularly Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Smith criticized Nanos for blocking FBI activities, stating, "Nothing that he does makes any sense whatsoever. It's so disappointing, but it is what it is. Elections have consequences." Winn echoed this sentiment, praising the rank-and-file officers while decrying the leadership as "kabuki theater."
New developments include ring camera footage from a neighboring property, capturing 12 vehicles between 12:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on February 1. "One clip was captured at about 2:36 a.m.—that's eight minutes from when her pacemaker last synchronized," Smith detailed. An unrelated arrest occurred near Guthrie's home, involving a man who drove past 50 to 100 times. "There's freaky people out there that come out of the woodwork," Smith said, noting a photographer confronted him, leading to his custody.
The family is attempting to move forward. Savannah Guthrie's brother has returned home, and media presence has dwindled. Smith referenced Ed Smart and Elizabeth Smart's experiences, quoting Ed: "You do have to get back to your normal life at some point. You can't sit around and wait." Winn expressed heartbreak for the family, stating, "My heart and my prayers go out to the Guthrie family. I am just so sad that we put on full display for this nation our sheriff."
Election Turnout and Republican Momentum
Winn celebrated early election turnout, saying, "Republicans, good job—you are turning out, showing up. We need more of you to do so, but so far so good." Democrats hold a slight lead, but Winn remained optimistic. Smith, a member of the Pima County Republican County Board, discussed her busy schedule amid the Guthrie coverage, noting she appeared from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. during its peak.
Savannah Guthrie's recent Instagram post was praised for highlighting other missing persons cases and donating $500,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. "There is other crime, and that's one of the things I thought Savannah Guthrie did a nice job on," Smith said.
Pushback Against Anti-ICE Policies
Smith delivered positive news on resistance to anti-ICE measures. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore's legislation barring cooperation with ICE faced defiance from conservative sheriffs. "A group of Maryland sheriffs went to Annapolis and said, 'We're gonna keep working with ICE. We're gonna keep taking dangerous people off the streets, and there's nothing you can do about it,'" Smith reported.
In Detroit, a female sergeant filed a federal lawsuit after suspension for coordinating with Border Patrol on a Venezuelan gang member. "She was on the street on a traffic stop, encountered a Venezuelan illegal alien gangbanger, and she called Border Patrol," Smith explained. Similar issues arose in Denver, tying back to President Trump's State of the Union emphasis on removing illegal immigrants. "The anti-ICE lunatics—they're losing," Smith asserted.
Winn connected this to local figures like Regina Romero and Adelita Grijalva, criticizing incentives like $5,000 payments and one-way tickets for migrants. "We gave them millions of dollars—you know, each individual person got five grand and a ticket someplace," Winn said.
Transgender Issues, Violence, and Mental Health
The discussion turned to transgender-related violence, with Winn citing over 7,000 children undergoing gender transitions in recent years. "The number of kids that have transitioned that then became shooters—it begs the question, what do those drugs do?" she asked.
Smith highlighted disproportionate rates: "Transgender commit active shootings at a rate at least 12 times higher than their share of the population." A recent Rhode Island case involved a transgender individual murdering his ex-wife and child. "Anyone who is transgender... is mentally ill 100%. It's a mental illness," Smith stated.
They criticized political framing, with Smith noting the American Academy of Pediatrics' reversal. The National Police Association sued the FBI for withholding the Covenant School shooter's manifesto. "We were the first organization to sue Joe Biden's FBI because they refused to release... the manifesto," Smith said.
Winn condemned schools for transitioning children without parental notification: "The worst crime of it all was when school counselors, teachers did it without notifying the parents." They linked this to grooming via drag shows and school protests, like TUSD's ICE walkouts. "Schools not important, education is not important, and that our political viewpoints are superior to everything else," Winn said.
Crime Rates, Law Enforcement Challenges, and State of the Union Reflections
Winn critiqued President Trump's State of the Union claims on crime reduction, noting Democrats' refusal to stand for victims. "They couldn't bother to stand up... because they were shot at by an illegal immigrant," she said.
Smith attacked Senator Mark Kelly: "Every time he runs for office, one of the first things he says is 'I was raised by cops,' and yet he was one of those Democrats at the State of the Union that rarely stood up." She described an "anti-cop sentiment" equating pro-police to pro-ICE.
Recent incidents included NYPD officers assaulted with ice chunks (framed as a "snowball fight"), a stabbed officer in New York, and officer deaths in Arizona, Memphis, Texas, and Missouri. "There continues to be this war on cops while guys like Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly do nothing about it," Smith said.
Pro-police legislation in D.C. faces Democratic opposition. Winn highlighted crimes by illegal immigrants: "We have rapes, we have murders... We are honoring those that unfortunately lost their lives during the incredible influx."
The SAVE Act and Voter ID Debates
Smith debunked Democratic claims that the SAVE Act suppresses votes, especially for married women. "The Democrats love the government... They believe that when you get married, your name automatically changes," she said. Winn shared a meme: "The guy was down on his knee... and she said, 'I can't marry you because then I won't be able to vote.'"
They offered classes for name changes: "We will help you make sure you can still vote." Voter ID enjoys 90% support, with Smith noting, "The same number supports that you have to be a U.S. citizen to vote."
Law Enforcement Recruitment and DEI Issues
Smith reported slow improvements in police recruitment: "It will be about a year before... they would be a viable police officer on the street." Agencies like Oro Valley and Marana succeed by poaching from understaffed departments like Pima County Sheriff's.
Anti-ICE protests in Marana featured Handmaid's Tale outfits, which Smith dismissed as "passe." Philadelphia's DEI policies face lawsuits: "If you're a white male sergeant... you're bumped down five spots... That's called racism."
Breaking news: Scouting America reinstated male-female separation for outings and showers, plus a military badge. "Maybe boys and girls... shouldn't share tents and bathrooms," Smith said. Winn celebrated restoring traditions for the nation's 250th anniversary.
Hockey Teams and Patriotism
Winn praised the men's hockey team's White House visit: "The White House isn't the Republican House—the White House is the people's house." Smith noted the women's team has scheduling conflicts, not political motives.
They highlighted players like Haley Winn (no relation) and the Quinn brothers, emphasizing family sacrifices. "Mom got up at 5 a.m. and took those kids to practice," Winn said. The State of the Union evoked patriotism akin to the 1980 Olympic hockey win.
Legislative Marathon with Rachel Keschel
State Representative Rachel Keschel (LD 17) described "hell week" at the legislature: "We submitted a record number of bills—1,136... We're supposed to be small-government Republicans, but here we are." A 19-hour day ended at 5:15 a.m.
Her precinct-voting bill (HB 2395) passed the House, bypassing Governor Hobbs for the November ballot. "We had precinct voting... just 2018—eight years ago," Keschel said, linking voting centers to slow counts and distrust. "Two-thirds of Americans don't trust our elections right now."
She advocated manageable voter numbers (up to 2,500 per precinct): "You go to your local church or school, you see your neighbors... It's more manageable to have those results by the night."
Keschel dismissed disenfranchisement claims: "You still have almost a month to turn in your mail ballots." Voter ID is popular: "90% of Americans support voter ID."
Pro-Life and Family Court Reforms
Keschel ran pro-life bills post-Prop 139: "I always fight for the babies... to encourage women to choose life and to choose adoption." They face vetoes but add safeguards.
Family court reforms address domestic violence. The Alec and Lydia Act (HB 2995) passed unanimously, focusing on coercive control. "A mom... her soon-to-be ex-husband... shot and killed [the children] and himself," Keschel recounted, shedding tears on the floor. "Democrats get divorced too... This isn't a Democrat or Republican issue—it's a human being issue."
Campaign and Voter Engagement
Keschel needs signatures for re-election: "Go online—those signatures are immediately verified." LD 17 faces three well-funded Democrats: "Trump Derangement Syndrome is at an all-time high... Republicans definitely need to... unite behind your Republicans."
She urged PC involvement: "Get involved. Stop yelling at your television... We need money—that's one of the ugly parts of politics."
Local Politics and Board of Supervisors with Laurie Moore
PC Laurie Moore criticized the Board of Supervisors' anti-ICE stance: "I had them raise a hand if they were going to work with ICE, and only Steve Christy raised his hand." She tied this to Democrats sitting during the State of the Union.
Moore mocked SAVE Act objections: "If you're a female and you can't acquire a copy of your birth certificate... you're too stupid to vote." Drop-off centers are limited: "These drop-off centers were within a nine-mile radius... all downtown."
A transgender proclamation prompted her demand for a "heterosexual day of diversity": "Without heterosexuals, you would have none of the alphabet people." She invited attendance: "Come to the Board of Supervisors meeting... sit behind me and look these four Democrats in the eyes."
Election reminders: Mail ballots due by next Tuesday; election day March 10. A mobile unit at Nanini Library on March 9.
Sports Anecdotes and Weekend Plans
Winn shared excitement for the Arizona Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks: "We're playing the Kansas Jayhawks... number 14." Arizona ranks No. 2.
Moore recounted saving Lute Olson from a car crash: "I ran to stop these two cars from crashing... I didn't get basketball tickets or anything."
Winn reflected on Cubs fandom and 2016 World Series: "If you're a Cubs fan, you have to be willing to lose a lot—it's kind of like being a Republican in Pima County."
They tied sports to politics: "Teams really great teams... focus on the mission... A lot of lessons could be learned in politics from the University of Arizona basketball team."