๐ซ TUSD Audit Bombshell: Superintendent Accused of Burying Damaging Reports
๐ The Numbers Game: Are Tucson's Crime Stats Reliable? ๐ Audit Avalanche: Six Reports, Countless Red Flags at TUSD
Based on the 9/18/24 Wake Up Tucson Show on KVOI-1030AM.
Several people seated on stage behind Trump experienced severe eye irritation and vision problems after the eventโฆ
โฎ๏ธ ICYMI: From the Last Showโฆ
๐ฝ Keepinโ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
๐ง๐พโ๐พ๐ฆ๐พ
๐ป A radio show talked about lots of things in Tucson. ๐ They discussed a new restaurant called Hammbones opening up. ๐ฎโโ๏ธ They talked about problems with the police and how some crimes aren't being reported properly. ๐ซ There were also issues with the big school district TUSD and how they're not being honest about some problems. ๐ฃ They mentioned some scary news about explosions happening to bad guys in other countries. ๐ฆก They even talked about a badger getting stuck in a soccer net! It was a mix of local news, food talk, and some not-so-nice comments about different people and groups.
๐๏ธ Takeaways
๐ซ TUSD facing internal conflicts over audits revealing serious operational issues
๐ Concerns raised about underreporting of crimes and TPD's response to online crime reports
๐ New "meat and three" restaurant Ham Bones opening in Tucson, filling a gap in local cuisine options
๐ฅ Discussion of recent incidents involving explosives at Trump rally and with Hezbollah
๐ณ๏ธ Critique of local political figures and policies, particularly around taxation and public safety
๐ป Radio Show Topics
๐ซ TUSD's Audit Controversy: Transparency in Education
The Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) is embroiled in a controversy surrounding internal audits and transparency. The conflict centers around TUSD Superintendent Gabe Trujillo and internal auditor Martha Smith, with six completed audits from the past year not being released publicly until after a recent board meeting.
These audits revealed significant problems in various areas of TUSD's operations, including equity and diversity practices, exceptional education, student attendance, human resources, asset management, and employee relations. The most concerning audit, focusing on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusiveness (EDI), cited serious issues such as unequitable hiring practices, a toxic work environment, improper payment practices, and over-staffing with minimal supervision.
The controversy deepened when it was revealed that Superintendent Trujillo wanted certain information removed from at least one audit before its release. This request was seen by some board members as overstepping transparency and accountability measures.
Martha Smith, the internal auditor, defended her work, stating, "Well, I am not in any way opposed to having a quality assurance as a matter of fact, I welcome it. And I have nothing to hide." She questioned why Trujillo was "so adamant about not releasing a completed and final internal audit report."
The school board ultimately approved an independent review of the internal audit function, against Trujillo's wishes to be involved in selecting the reviewer. This decision highlights the tension between the administration and the board over issues of transparency and accountability in TUSD's operations.
๐ Tucson's Crime Reporting Crisis: A Deep Dive
The radio show highlighted significant issues with crime reporting and response in Tucson, raising concerns about public safety and the accuracy of crime statistics. A caller named Steve shared his experience of vandalism at his property, revealing a troubling trend in how online crime reports are handled by the Tucson Police Department (TPD).
Steve explained that after submitting an online report for vandalism, he never received a response from TPD. When he followed up, he was told that online reports "just never gets looked at" and are primarily for insurance purposes. This revelation suggests a severe gap in the city's crime response and reporting system.
The hosts discussed the implications of this issue, including the potential underreporting of crimes and the impact on crime statistics. They questioned whether crimes reported online are counted in official statistics, potentially skewing the public's understanding of crime rates in Tucson.
This situation raises serious questions about the effectiveness of TPD's online reporting system and the overall accuracy of crime data in Tucson. It also highlights the challenges faced by residents in getting proper police response and support for non-emergency crimes.
๐ Hammbones: Tucson's New Southern Comfort Food Haven
Hammbones, a new "meat and three" restaurant concept by local restaurateur CJ Hamm, is set to open at 2027 South Craycroft in Tucson. This Southern-inspired eatery aims to fill a gap in the local food scene by offering comfort food served quickly. The restaurant's concept is based on the traditional Southern model where customers choose one meat and three side dishes.
CJ Hamm explained the inspiration behind the restaurant: "I fell in love with that idea and then I just got to thinking like, when I was a kid and my parents didn't want to take us to McDonald's and get each of us a combo meal or we're sick of getting pizza, you know what I mean? That when we do family meals, we do stuff like Boston Market, right?"
The menu features daily specials and staple items such as baked half chicken, country ham, pot roast, smothered pork chops, and lemon sole. Side dishes include Southern classics like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, collard greens, and cheesy grits. The restaurant also caters to vegetarians with a four-sides meal option.
Hammbones is set to have its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday at 10 AM, with the hosts of "Wake Up Tucson" encouraging listeners to attend and support this new local business.
๐ฅ Explosive Revelations: From Trump Rallies to Hezbollah
The radio show covered two separate but equally alarming incidents involving explosives. The first concerned mysterious eye injuries reported by attendees at a recent Trump rally in Tucson. Several people seated on stage behind Trump experienced severe eye irritation and vision problems after the event.
Myra Rodriguez, a Planned Parenthood whistleblower who attended the rally, described her experience: "I can't see anything when I try to open my eyes. I see a bright light. It hurts. It hurts to open my eyes." Other attendees reported similar symptoms, with some suggesting they might have been exposed to an unknown irritant.
The show hosts criticized the lack of investigation by local authorities and media into the incident, questioning why the Tucson Convention Center and city officials weren't being held accountable for the safety of attendees.
The second explosive-related discussion centered around reports of pagers and walkie-talkies exploding among Hezbollah members. The hosts speculated about the cause and implications of these incidents, suggesting it might be a form of targeted attack against the organization.
๐ฐ Tucson's Budget Battle: Climate Projects vs. Public Safety
The radio show heavily criticized Tucson's city government for its budget priorities, particularly focusing on a recent report that the city spent $80 million on climate projects last year. This spending was contrasted with what the hosts perceived as underfunding of essential services like public safety and road maintenance.
The hosts discussed the city's $2.4 billion budget, which they claimed was the largest ever, and a proposed new sales tax. They argued that this additional taxation would disproportionately affect working-class residents while the city continues to spend on what they consider non-essential projects.
The discussion framed the budget issue as a matter of misplaced priorities, suggesting that the city government was neglecting basic services in favor of climate initiatives. The hosts encouraged listeners to be more critical of local government spending and to question the necessity of additional taxes given the current budget size.
๐ฆก Wildlife Woes: The Badger Incident and Environmental Concerns
In a lighter moment, the show discussed an unusual incident involving a badger rescued by the Tucson Wildlife Center after getting caught in a soccer net. This story led to a broader discussion about local wildlife and environmental issues.
The hosts expressed surprise at the presence of badgers in the Tucson area, noting that they had never seen one at the Desert Museum. They humorously suggested that this might be the first badger sighting in Tucson's history.
While the story was treated with some levity, it did bring attention to the work of the Tucson Wildlife Center and raised questions about human-wildlife interactions in urban areas. The center's call to remove soccer nets to prevent similar incidents in the future was mentioned, though the hosts seemed skeptical about the necessity of such measures based on this single incident.
๐ณ๏ธ Political Landscape: Tucson's Upcoming Elections and Key Players
Throughout the show, there were numerous references to local political figures and upcoming elections. The hosts criticized several local politicians, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva.
They discussed campaign strategies for upcoming elections, suggesting that some conservative activists were wasting their time protesting at city council meetings instead of actively campaigning for candidates like Steve Spain or Janet Wittenbraker.
The show also touched on the upcoming sheriff's election, mentioning current Sheriff Chris Nanos and his opponent Heather Lapin. They referenced a press conference held by the Tucson Crime Free Coalition, which featured former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona criticizing the current state of the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
The hosts emphasized the importance of grassroots campaigning and voter outreach, contrasting this with what they saw as ineffective protest tactics. They encouraged listeners to get more involved in local politics and to support candidates who align with their views on issues like public safety and government spending.
๐ฆ Three Sonorans Commentary
The recent "Wake Up Tucson" radio show has once again demonstrated the narrow-minded and often harmful rhetoric that permeates conservative media in our community. While purporting to inform listeners about local issues, the show instead engages in fear-mongering, scapegoating, and the promotion of regressive policies that disproportionately harm marginalized communities.
One of the most concerning topics discussed was the alleged underreporting of crimes in Tucson. While public safety is indeed a crucial issue, the show's approach ignores the systemic issues that contribute to crime, such as poverty, lack of access to education, and systemic racism. Instead of advocating for community-based solutions and restorative justice practices, the hosts push for increased policing and punitive measures that have been shown to exacerbate social inequalities.
The criticism of Tucson's $80 million investment in climate projects is particularly short-sighted. As a city in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including increased heat waves, droughts, and extreme weather events. These climate initiatives are not just about environmental protection; they're about ensuring the long-term sustainability and livability of our community, particularly for low-income residents and communities of color who are often hit hardest by climate change.
The show's discussion of the TUSD audit controversy is equally problematic. While transparency in education is important, the hosts' framing of the issue ignores the complex challenges faced by public education, particularly in diverse communities like Tucson. The emphasis on "unequitable hiring practices" and "toxic work environment" without context could be used to undermine efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools.
Perhaps most disturbing was the show's cavalier treatment of the reported injuries at the Trump rally. The health and safety of all community members, regardless of political affiliation, should be a top priority. The hosts' attempt to politicize this incident and their failure to call for a thorough, impartial investigation is irresponsible and potentially dangerous.
The constant criticism of local progressive politicians like Mayor Regina Romero and Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, without substantive policy discussions, serves only to deepen political divisions in our community. These Latina leaders have worked tirelessly to address issues of inequality, environmental justice, and community development, yet their efforts are dismissed or mischaracterized by the show's hosts.
As members of the Tucson community, we must reject this divisive rhetoric and instead focus on constructive dialogue and community-based solutions. We need to address issues of crime, education, and governance through a lens of social justice, recognizing the interconnected nature of these challenges and the disproportionate impact they have on marginalized communities.
Let us instead focus on building a Tucson that is inclusive, sustainable, and just for all its residents. This means supporting initiatives that address climate change, promote equitable education, reform our criminal justice system, and ensure that all voices โ particularly those of our diverse Latinx, Indigenous, and immigrant communities โ are heard and respected in our local governance.
The path forward for Tucson lies not in fear and division, but in unity, compassion, and a commitment to social and environmental justice. It's time for media outlets to elevate these values rather than undermine them for the sake of ratings and political point-scoring.
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๐ฏ People Mentioned
CJ Ham: "I love the Tucson foods. You know, it's no secret. I love everything we have, but, you know, we can always, if it's new and different, we can always use something in addition to, I feel like."
Gabe Trujillo: "I think everything you've heard strongly justifies an outside independent voice that is not vested in management's view or the internal auditor's view or the audit committee's view."
Martha Smith: "Well, I am not in any way opposed to having quality assurance as a matter of fact, I welcome it. And I have nothing to hide."
John Blackshire: "It is a blatant violation of best practices to have the CEO of an organization involved with anything to do with the independent auditor."
Myra Rodriguez: "I can't see anything when I try to open my eyes. I see a bright light. It hurts. It hurts to open my eyes."
Regina Romero: Mentioned as mayor of Tucson, criticized for the city's budget decisions
Adelita Grijalva: Mentioned in the context of political criticism
Richard Carmona: Former U.S. Surgeon General, spoke at a press conference criticizing the Pima County Sheriff's Department
Chris Nanos: Current Pima County Sheriff, subject of criticism
Heather Lapin: Opponent of Chris Nanos in upcoming sheriff election
Steve Spain and Janet Wittenbraker: Mentioned as local political candidates
๐ง Propaganda AI-nalysis
The radio show "Wake Up Tucson" demonstrates several propaganda techniques:
Name-calling: Using derogatory terms for political opponents
Selective reporting: Focusing on negative aspects of local government and institutions
Appeal to fear: Emphasizing crime issues and potential dangers
Bandwagon: Encouraging listeners to support certain candidates and attend events
Testimonial: Using personal anecdotes to support arguments
Scapegoating: Blaming local politicians for complex issues
Repetition: Reinforcing key themes and criticisms
False dilemma: Presenting issues in black and white terms
Loaded language: Using emotionally charged language to describe events and people
Cherry-picking: Selectively presenting information that supports their viewpoint