Guests - Kelly Walker, Rene Lopez, Stephen Mundt
A Busy Monday in Tucson: Bowl Games, Community Loss, and Big Issues
Kathleen Winn opened her Monday broadcast of Winn Tucson on 1030 The Voice with the energy of a host who had just survived a whirlwind weekend. From college football excitement to heartfelt remembrance and hard-hitting policy discussions, the two-hour program delivered the mix of local pride and conservative commentary that listeners have come to expect.
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Set for December 27 Showdown
Tucson’s college football spotlight is shining bright. Fresno State (8-4) and Miami University of Ohio (RedHawks) will face off in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin and Juice by Dre and Snoop on Saturday, December 27 at Arizona Stadium. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Snoop Dogg himself will handle the coin toss, join the broadcast booth, and present the trophy. Rumors swirl of surprise halftime guests and “very well-known friends” joining him at the game.
Executive Director Kim Adair expressed excitement about welcoming two “fan-fueled” programs that bring traveling supporters and economic impact. The RedHawks are making back-to-back appearances — only the second team in bowl history to do so — while Fresno State arrives with a stout defense under first-year head coach Matt Entz.
Events kick off December 26 with a downtown pep rally at Fifth and Toole avenues featuring bands, cheerleaders, and mascots. Tailgating and a battle of the bands begin at 10:30 a.m. on game day at the University of Arizona mall.
Winn urged listeners to secure tickets now at arizonabowl.com, noting the game benefits veterans, first responders, teachers, and local charities with minimal administrative overhead.
Remembering Steve Ochoa: A Tucson Original
In a poignant moment, Winn shared the weekend passing of longtime friend Steve Ochoa at age 81.
“I’ve known him for 46 years,” she said. “We worked together in television when I was just starting out. He had that incredible laugh and wonderful spirit.”
After decades apart, the two reconnected five years ago through the Blue Blazers organization. Ochoa remained active in philanthropy, supporting Ochoa Elementary School and countless community causes until wheelchair-bound in recent years.
“Steve fought so many medical obstacles but kept giving back,” Winn said. “We lost one of the good guys. Tucson is poorer for it.”
Local Weekend Highlights and Controversy
The Tucson Tamale Festival delivered food and fun at AVEN Amphitheater, while Saturday’s light parade lit up downtown. Meanwhile, federal ICE raids on Taco Giro restaurants sparked protests — and pepper spray.
U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s daughter Adelita claimed agents used excessive force; DHS disputed the account. Winn noted the underlying investigation began under the Biden administration and stressed that even members of Congress are not above the law when interfering with warranted operations.
Kelly Walker: Communism’s Quiet Infiltration of American Churches
Freedom Talk magazine publisher Kelly Walker joined Winn to discuss the November cover story “Communism in the American Church.”
Walker highlighted writers including Eric Metaxas, Ineshtar, and Julie Bealing — author of Beneath Sheep’s Clothing. The issue examines decades-long Marxist strategies to create churches that appear Christian while promoting ideology over scripture.
“These churches fly pride flags and preach heresy, but they position themselves as Christian,” Walker said. “The American Communist Party has had a detailed plan for years.”
He pointed to Gavin Newsom’s ongoing attempt to impose $1.2 million in fines on Calvary Chapel for holding services during COVID lockdowns as evidence of broader hostility toward traditional faith.
Walker’s December issue will focus on hope for young men, addressing the cultural void left by figures like the late Charlie Kirk and the rise of extremist ideologies.
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Project Blue Data Center: Amazon Out, Mystery Tenant In
Arizona Corporation Commissioner Rene Lopez provided the latest on the controversial Project Blue data center near the Pima County Fairgrounds.
Originally backed by Amazon (which has now withdrawn), the facility cleared county approval after Tucson leaders rejected it. Lopez explained the unintended consequences: rejecting city annexation removed local control over aesthetics and water usage.
“By pushing it to the county, the city lost say over how it looks and potentially allows the developer to drill their own well,” Lopez said.
Last week the Corporation Commission voted 4-1 to approve a dedicated tariff from Tucson Electric Power with strong clawback provisions protecting ratepayers. Commissioner Rachel Walden cast the lone no vote, believing guardrails remained insufficient.
Lopez stressed data centers are essential infrastructure — “every click on the internet hits a data center” — but belong in industrial or rural zones, not downtown neighborhoods.
Healthcare Crisis: Adults Need to Fix a Broken System
Retired Brigadier General Stephen Mundt closed the program with a blunt assessment of America’s healthcare mess.
Mundt and Winn agreed neither party has shown courage to confront insurance companies, pharmaceutical pricing, malpractice costs, or emergency-room overuse.
“The Affordable Care Act was never affordable and was passed without being read,” Mundt said. “Now we’re at the explosion point everyone knew was coming.”
They decried bureaucratic hurdles — Winn recounted waiting nearly a year for her husband’s PET scan despite offering to pay out-of-pocket — and the difficulty seniors face navigating online portals.
Mundt called for non-partisan adults to tackle cost drivers head-on rather than using the issue as “political fodder.”
“Congress took Social Security money and spent it on everything else,” Winn added. “If they had left it invested, we’d have plenty today.”
From bowl-game excitement to heartfelt loss and serious policy talk, Monday’s Winn Tucson captured the heartbeat of Southern Arizona — warm weather, big events, and residents who care deeply about their community and country.