The Jeff Kennedy Show

Dr. Coral Evans and Monica Burres host The Jeff Kennedy Show, joined by rural water expert and Mohave County Chair, Travis Lingenfelter. The trio discuss what the water crisis looks like on the ground right now in Mohave County and other rural areas. Chairman Lingenfelter talks how the crisis is affecting property values, small businesses, and young families trying to build a future in rural Arizona and more. 

Founder of I&A Communications and Young Voices Contributor, Iulia Lupse, joins the Jeff Kennedy Show to chat with Monica and Casey regarding her op-ed: "How Trade Schools Can Beat a Four-Year Degree". Iulia goes over the long-held assumption that a four-year college degree is the only ticket to success, and how she feels that is not the case. Student loan debt is now over $1.7 trillion, and Iulia talks how this growing financial burden changed how younger generations think about college. Vocational programs often cost less and take less time, yet they still face stigma. Iulia discusses what needs to change in how we talk to high school students about their post-graduation options. 

Young Voices contributor, Sam Raus, joins the Jeff Kennedy Show to talk with Monica and Casey regarding Trump's Big Beautiful Bill AI Moratorium. Sam is in support of the ten-year AI moratorium as it's written in the Big Beautiful Bill, stating that it is a nationwide issue that deserves time to develop. Sam Raus asks, 'Where is line drawn to prevent crime or individual liberties being stripped?' while talking facial recognition and algorithmic bias. Ultimately, Sam feels as though American AI, in comparison to AI coming out of China, is open of democratic ideals and allows for creativity and education.

Director of Public Works, Scott Overton, joins the Jeff Kennedy show to talk about the current Monsoon season. Scott covers how community members can do their part, how Public Works crews work together with NWS and other organizations to prepare and manage events stemming from Monsoon storms, and what Flagstaff's infrastructure does for the 'before', 'during' and 'after' a Monsoon event. We will be covering infrastructure more heavily during next week's Public Works segment.

Victoria Churchill, Young Voices Contributor and political reporter for the Daily Mail, visits with Casey and Monica on The Jeff Kennedy Show to discuss her op-ed: 'DHS Pulls Taxpayer Dollars from Group Linked to LA Riots'. Victoria explains how taxpayer dollars ended up in the hands of groups like CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights) - which have now been linked to violent protests against ICE in Los Angeles. Victoria covers how she feels that the CHIRLA case raises broader concerns, and is part of a larger pattern of government grants funding politically radical or disruptive groups. Victoria discusses solutions and how Congress and Senate can act to ensure taxpayer money is never again funded to organizations involved in violence, and how taxpayers can get their voice heard when they are frustrated at how their tax dollars are being spent. 

Ethan visits The Jeff Kennedy Show, and chats with Casey and Monica regarding his most recent op-ed: Who Killed the High-Trust Space? Ethan describes Gen Z as the first true digital natives, and discusses how he thinks this digital immersion has shaped our generation's sense of trust and community. Ethan states that he is hopeful that this level of trust is recoverable today, through small, even trivial things. Ethan traces the decline of high-trust society back to the ideological upheavals of the 1960's and unpacks how classical liberalism was weakened during that time. Ethan also touches on his idea that church is one of the last remaining high-trust institutions, and offers advice to peer sin Gen Z on how to navigate this "Brave New World".

Monica and Casey visit with Gina Byars with Rugged Nature Productions and the Flagstaff Beer Festival. The Festival takes place this Saturday the 21st at Ft. Tuthill County Park! There are 70 different breweries in attendance at the Flagstaff Beer Festival, a wide variety of food vendors and trucks as well activities to participate in throughout the day. This year's proceeds go to Flagstaff's STEM City, and there will be a shuttle at Kohls from 11-6 so that you do not have to worry about safe transportation to and from this event. 

Monica and Casey visit with NACA CEO Chris David, and Marketing & Public Relations Officer of NACA Almalia Berrios-Payton to discuss the Open House happening on September 4th. Chris and Almalia are looking forward to gaining new partnerships, and addressing mental health issues and health disparities with new connections and spreading the word of the services NACA has to offer.

Jeff and Monica visit with Walter Crutchfield of Vintage Partners to discuss how Vintage Partners got involved with the Habitat for Humanity Northern Arizona Starter Home project at Timber Sky, and what made this the right fit for his team. Donating land is a major contribution, and Walter discusses the value in considering the needs of others as more important than your own. This project is being hailed as a model for how private developers can partner with nonprofits to tackle affordable housing, and Walter touches on the lessons he thinks this partnership could offer other communities.

Program Coordinator for Healthcare for Homeless Veterans at NAVAHCS joins The Jeff Kennedy show to discuss how the VA works to address the aid and support available to homeless veterans within Northern Arizona. Jessica covers the 'housing first model' and the immediate supports available through the VA for a veteran who is experiencing homelessness or is at risk, things like shelter, food, or urgent medical care. Jessica mentions that landlords and property managers in Flagstaff partner with the VA to help house homeless veterans, and for anyone who needs assistance or would like to join the cause, can visit at 1300 W. University or call 988 and press 1 for the Veteran's crisis line.