On a lively broadcast of Winn Tucson, host Kathleen Winn welcomed retired law enforcement veterans Betsy Brantner Smith, Dave Smith, and former U.S. Marshal David Gonzalez—the longest-serving in U.S. history—for a candid, no-holds-barred discussion. The conversation ranged from a fatal ICE confrontation in Minnesota to welfare fraud, January 6 hypocrisy, the 15th anniversary of the Gabby Giffords shooting, and the state of modern policing.

On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces executed a precise military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife directly from Caracas. This stunning development, carried out just hours after senior Chinese diplomats met with Maduro, has sent shockwaves through Beijing. Ava Chen, a prominent voice from the New Federal State of China, described the event as "the greatest news of the year." She emphasized that without the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) support, the Maduro regime would have collapsed long ago.

Shifting to domestic health policy, the Trump administration unveiled sweeping changes to U.S. dietary guidelines, spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association, shared her personal transformation. "Thirty years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease—horrible inflammation, in and out of hospitals," she recounted. "Changing my diet to real food, massive protein, and cutting processed garbage cured it. No more Crohn's."

In election integrity news, the U.S. Department of Justice, under the Civil Rights Division led by Harmeet Dhillon, sued Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes for obstructing access to voter records. State Representative Alex Kolodin, running for Secretary of State, called it a critical step. "Fontes pledged defiance, saying they'd have to jail him for the rolls," Kolodin noted. "But this isn't bravery—it's because exposure would reveal worse issues."

Author James Bradley, known for Flags of Our Fathers and his latest novel Precious Freedom, drew stark parallels to America's past military entanglements. Bradley, whose father fought on Iwo Jima and whose brother served in Vietnam, argued that the action risks becoming "Venezuela is Spanish for Vietnam." Bradley emphasized that the U.S. military has not achieved a successful regime change in 80 years, citing failures in Iraq, Libya, and Vietnam.

Tanque Verde Unified School District board member Thomas Trask addressed growing tensions with the Pima County Joint Technical Education District (JTED). Thirteen of 14 member districts are signing a memo urging JTED to reconsider a potential $300 million bond, amid concerns over centralization and funding shifts.

In a stunning operation that unfolded over the weekend of January 3-4, 2026, U.S. forces executed a precise raid in Caracas, capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Retired Brigadier General Stephen Mundt described the raid as a near-perfect military achievement. "The people that were involved—Delta Force, the 160th, Air Force groups, Navy operations off ships—over 160 platforms in the air. We cut the power, went in, took Maduro out of a house inside a major military installation, all without a single loss of life.

Eric Eggers, Vice President of Research at the Government Accountability Institute, tied Governor Tim Walz's announcement on January 5, 2026, that he would not seek a third term directly to escalating scrutiny over massive welfare fraud in Minnesota.

Dave Smith highlighted the Maduro capture's precedent. "Like Noriega—prosecuted here, then extradited, died in prison. This isn't novel; Europe and Panama participated in Noriega's case."

Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Kevin Thompson joined Kathleen Winn to discuss the commission's role in regulating utilities and recent decisions aimed at protecting ratepayers.

Kirk Fiehler, candidate for Legislative District 17 House alongside incumbent Rachel Mitchell, discussed the importance of the 2026 elections.

Josh Jacobsen of the Tucson Crime Free Coalition provided a year-end assessment of local crime trends.

Tucson police officer Jack Dona announced an upcoming Conservative Family Town Hall in Willcox and shared his family's story.

The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl delivered another memorable spectacle in Tucson, with Fresno State Bulldogs dominating Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in an 18-3 victory at Casino Del Sol Stadium. The game showcased strong defense, community spirit, and celebrity energy that has defined this event. Executive Director Kym Adair highlighted the star power and on-field action. "Snoop Dogg had a lot of fun for sure,"

Shifting to professional football, guest Ben Moline, a longtime Chicago Bears fan, discussed the team's thrilling season. The Bears clinched the NFC North title—their first since 2018—thanks to a Green Bay Packers loss, even before their own game.

The conversation turned serious with retired Brigadier General Stephen Mundt and National Police Association spokesperson Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith (Ret.), focusing on the escalating Feeding Our Future fraud scheme in Minnesota—a massive scandal involving hundreds of millions in stolen child nutrition funds during the pandemic.

On Christmas Eve, radio host Kathleen Winn welcomed Ava Chen from the New Federal State of China for a special edition of China Watch Wednesday. The discussion focused on the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) sophisticated espionage tactics, military buildup, and growing domestic challenges.

Later in the broadcast, Kathleen Winn welcomed Pima County GOP Chairman Dave Smith for a wide-ranging discussion on local victories, national challenges, and the year ahead.

Aaron Reitz, a Marine Corps veteran, former senior Trump administration official at the Department of Justice, and ex-deputy to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is campaigning to become Texas' next top law enforcement officer. With Paxton stepping aside to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Reitz positions himself as the natural successor to continue aggressive conservative legal action.

Attorney Linley Wilson, formerly with the Arizona House Republicans and now at Holtzman Vogel, announced a major win for election observers in Pima County. After years of restrictions on political party observers during early voting, the 2025 Elections Procedures Manual (EPM) has been updated to ensure access.

Shelli Boggs, Maricopa County School Superintendent and former EVIT board president, addressed the escalating conflict between the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) and several school districts.

Retired Army Master Sergeant Jack Donna, an intelligence veteran from Sierra Vista, dissected a shocking incident at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Child advocate Katey McPherson joined host Kathleen Winn to discuss ongoing issues of student safety in Arizona schools. McPherson, a mother of four and fierce warrior for child protection, highlighted failures in mandatory reporting and the need for greater accountability among educators and administrators.

Retired sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association, returned from Hawaii to join Kathleen Winn for their "Smith & Wynn" segment. The discussion turned to escalating attacks on law enforcement and manipulated crime statistics nationwide.

In Phoenix, Turning Point USA's AmericaFest drew over 30,000 attendees for its first gathering since the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025. The four-day event, held at the Phoenix Convention Center, celebrated faith, freedom, and Kirk's enduring influence on young conservatives. Erika Kirk, who assumed leadership of the organization following her husband's death, delivered a powerful opening speech, pledging to continue the mission he began.

Author Drew Thomas Allen joined the discussion to share insights from his book, For Christ and Country: The Martyrdom of Charlie Kirk. Allen, who previously worked as a publicist for Kirk, described the profound personal impact of the assassination.

Mohit Asnani, a Tucson-based cannabis industry leader, discussed the historic executive order signed by President Donald Trump on December 18, 2025, reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III—the first change to the Controlled Substances Act in 55 years.

Retired Brigadier General Stephen Mundt joined to reflect on Erika Kirk's leadership and broader issues of political violence, extremism, and foreign policy.

In a wide-ranging discussion on regional infrastructure, host Kathleen Winn sat down with retired General Ted Maxwell to examine Propositions 418 and 419—the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan set for a March vote in Pima County. Maxwell, a longtime Oro Valley resident and member of the State Transportation Board, emphasized that the half-cent sales tax extension is essential for maintaining and improving roads across the region.

Shifting to local fiscal concerns, Kathleen Winn welcomed Bill Beard, Municipal Affairs Liaison for the Goldwater Institute, to discuss Tucson's recent attempts to address budget shortfalls.

Later, John Riches, Vice President for Litigation at the Goldwater Institute, joined Winn to celebrate a quiet victory: Pima County's indefinite tabling of a controversial ordinance capping heavy-duty truck trips on county roads.

In a world where threats to freedom often hide in plain sight, understanding the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) long-game strategies is more critical than ever. On this week's China Watch Wednesday, co-host Ava Chen from the New Federal State of China joined me to unpack alarming developments in CCP influence operations—and how they're colliding with shifting global power dynamics.

Shifting to domestic threats, Jan Edwards joined from Orlando en route to Arizona to discuss the escalating dangers facing children online. "This year alone, 36 boys have committed suicide due to sextortion," Edwards revealed. "Predators exploit kids' isolation—especially post-pandemic."

Locally, JL Wittenbraker attended Tuesday's Tucson City Council meeting and reported on a series of approved tax and fee increases.

Investor Gentry Beach, a longtime friend of Donald Trump Jr. and founder of America First Global, sees peace emerging in the Russia-Ukraine conflict sooner than expected. "Peace is coming, and it's coming, in my opinion, sooner rather than later," Beach declared.

State Representative Alex Kolodin, running for Arizona Secretary of State, discussed the impact of dark money funneled through NGOs into Arizona politics. A recent report revealed millions directed toward electing Democrats and influencing legislation.

Radio host and former prosecutor John Gordan expressed deep skepticism about the official narrative surrounding conservative activist Charlie Kirk's September 2025 assassination at Utah Valley University. Suspect Tyler Robinson has been charged, but Gordan questions whether he acted alone or was the true shooter.

State Representative Joseph Chaplik announced his candidacy for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, vacated by David Schweikert's gubernatorial run.

Tragedy at Brown University: A Campus in Mourning. Retired Brigadier General Stephen Mundt, joining host Kathleen Winn from Virginia, described the loss as tragic: "These victims... they're somebody's sons and daughters... Their students were going to finish up finals and then celebrate whatever way they celebrate. And now, forever, the holidays will be a reminder of these deaths. And it's tragic. It is absolutely tragic."

In a detailed interview, Scot Mussi of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club unveiled a comprehensive report on a vast network of liberal nonprofits engineered to flip Arizona blue.

In a fiery Friday broadcast of Winn Tucson on 1030 The Voice, host Kathleen Winn brought listeners a rapid-fire mix of breaking national-security developments, local tax fights, and deep dives into family, faith, and election integrity. Guests Lisa Von Geldern, J.P. De Gance of Communio, and election-litigation attorney Neal Cornett joined Winn for a no-holds-barred discussion that ranged from alleged U.S. military operations in Venezuela to the battle over voter observers in Pima County.

Filmmaker Michael Pack joined Kathleen Winn to reflect on his documentary The Last 600 Meters, which chronicles two pivotal battles of the Iraq War in Najaf and Fallujah. Pack shared positive reception from screenings, including a moving reunion in Washington, D.C., just before Veterans Day.

Pam Neal, chair of the 2026 Southern Arizona Heart and Stroke Ball, discussed efforts to provide CPR kits, training, and AED machines to schools across six counties: Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Yuma, Greenlee, and Graham.

Cheryl Caswell, Republican candidate for Arizona House in LD19, announced she has already doubled the required petition signatures months ahead of the April 2026 deadline. Spanning five counties from Pima to the New Mexico line, LD19 voters consistently raise concerns about border security, rising crime linked to fentanyl, homelessness, and election integrity.

On a crisp Wednesday morning in Tucson, the radio waves carried urgent warnings about America’s shifting global power balance, a congressional push to dismantle Obamacare’s lingering grip, and a revolutionary approach to treating America’s deadliest chronic disease—addiction. Guests Ava Chen of the New Federal State of China, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and addiction medicine pioneer Dr. Stephen Lloyd joined host Kathleen Winn for three hours of unfiltered discussion.

Independent journalist and White House Press Corps member Corinne Clifford joined Kathleen Winn to discuss her exclusive doorstep interview with Delicia Cole, the mother of Brian Cole Jr.—the 30-year-old Virginia man recently arrested for planting pipe bombs outside the RNC and DNC headquarters on January 5, 2021.

Spokeswoman for the National Police Association Betsy Smith joined Winn for the recurring “Smith & Wynn” segment, praising the Trump FBI’s rapid arrest of Brian Cole Jr. after years of Biden-era inaction. Smith noted the bombs were discovered on January 6, diverting law-enforcement resources from the Capitol at a critical moment, and reiterated that Cole has reportedly confessed and was accumulating bomb-making materials since 2019.

Local activist J.L. Wittenbraker warned listeners about two March 2026 special-election ballot measures designed to extend and expand the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).

Veteran law-enforcement officer Dave Smith joined Winn to dissect the Taco Giro raid fallout. Two protesters now face federal charges—one for assaulting an agent, another for damaging a Homeland Security vehicle—while body-cam footage contradicts Rep. Adelita Grijalva’s claim of being directly pepper-sprayed.

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.

Freedom Talk magazine publisher Kelly Walker joined Winn to discuss the November cover story “Communism in the American Church.”

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Rene Lopez provided the latest on the controversial Project Blue data center near the Pima County Fairgrounds.

Retired Brigadier General Stephen Mundt closed the program with a blunt assessment of America’s healthcare mess.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne joined Kathleen Winn on Winn Tucson for a wide-ranging discussion on the state’s education landscape. Horne, a former Arizona Attorney General now seeking re-election, laid out his case for expanded school choice, tougher academic standards, and a return to consequences in schools—while pushing back hard against critics, including Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes.

Later in the program, Tucson neurologist Dr. Mateja de Leonni of Vita Medica Institute joined Kathleen Winn to share what she calls the most encouraging developments in neurological disease in her 34-year career.