Guests - Chorus Nylander, Ryan McDermott, Jack Dona
Farewell to Corris Nylander: Reflections on Journalism in Tucson
Kathleen Winn welcomed Corris Nylander, the chief investigative journalist at News 4 Tucson, for a heartfelt interview as he prepares to leave KVOA after five years. Nylander, who joined the station in November 2020, is transitioning to a new role in Florida but emphasized his continued commitment to journalism.
Reflecting on his time in Tucson, Nylander highlighted the community's warmth and support. "The love and support that I've gotten since I announced I'm leaving has just been amazing and really the honor of my life," he said. He praised the people from all walks of life and expressed hope that his reporting made a positive impact, even amid tragic stories. Winn commended Nylander's fairness and integrity, noting that he always treated interviewees equitably regardless of political differences.
Nylander shared his background, born in La Habra, California, before moving to Florida at age 11. He's no stranger to the state, having grown up in the Tampa and Daytona Beach areas. His next chapter involves joining Wink News in Fort Myers, a family-owned CBS affiliate, where he'll serve as chief investigative reporter and manage a team of journalists. "I'll still be on the air doing the news, same kind of work," Nylander explained, adding that he'll focus on training and expanding the investigative unit.
Two stories stand out from his Tucson tenure. The first is the tragic case of Christopher Schultes, who left his daughter in a hot car, leading to her death, and later took his own life before sentencing. "That's one I'm never going to forget," Nylander said. The second involved the Humane Society of Southern Arizona's controversial transfer of small pets to a reptile breeder, confirmed through text messages he obtained. This story drew national attention and gratitude from animal advocates nationwide.
Nylander reaffirmed his dedication to ethical journalism. "I always stand by my own personal integrity. Nobody could ever change that," he stated, emphasizing that awards are secondary to fairness. He plans to maintain the same approach in Florida, training a mix of young and experienced reporters. His family, including his wife and two young sons (ages four and two-and-a-half), will join him on the drive east, starting Monday. They'll take their time, enjoying the Southwest en route. Nylander starts at Wink News on December 1.
Beyond journalism, Nylander discussed personal details, correcting misconceptions from a fake online article claiming he's 5'7" and Native American. "I'm seven feet tall," he clarified with humor, staking claim as the tallest news reporter in the country. He still plays the saxophone at home for his kids, though not publicly due to time constraints.
Looking ahead, Nylander anticipates covering Florida's political scene, including figures like Pam Bondi and Marco Rubio, with potential White House access. He's excited about aggressive accountability journalism. "They want to start asking some harder questions, looking into more complex and government corruption," he said. While wary of alligators, he noted Arizona's wildlife poses similar risks.
Nylander shared that his journalism passion began at age five, watching the Today Show with his grandmother. He's faced threats from story subjects but remains undeterred. Some stories, like Schultes' and the pet transfer, gained national traction, appearing in outlets like the New York Times and on A&E's American Justice.
Winn wished Nylander well, praising his intelligence and craftsmanship. "Florida will totally benefit from your skills," she said. Nylander expressed gratitude and openness to future collaborations.
Honoring Veterans: Reintegration and Beyond with Ryan McDermott
In a discussion timed ahead of Veterans Day, Kathleen Winn spoke with Ryan McDermott, an Iraq War veteran, former Pentagon official, Bronze Star recipient, and author of the acclaimed book Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet. McDermott emphasized that Veterans Day is about more than remembrance—it's about recognition, renewal, and continued service in civilian life.
"Veterans Day isn't just about remembrance. It's about recognition and renewal," McDermott said. He referenced his recent piece in Real Clear History, advocating for honoring veterans through leadership, mentorship, and community building. "The best way to honor our veterans is to live out the values they fought for—courage, integrity, and duty to others," he added. It's a call to action: "How can we serve together now?"
Addressing veteran reintegration, McDermott highlighted challenges like PTSD and suicide, underscoring the nation's shortcomings in support. "God blesses me that we're not doing a good enough job as a nation to support those that have put it all on the line for our country," Winn noted. McDermott suggested ways to help, from supporting nonprofits and policies to engaging with war literature for deeper understanding. "Pick up a piece, whether it's my book or somebody else's, and you can get an understanding of what the experience is like," he recommended.
McDermott praised endorsements for his book, including from General David Petraeus, whom he connected with through mutual ties. The book chronicles his transition from Iraq to business school and Lehman Brothers amid the 2008 financial crisis—a jarring shift from military structure. "It was a hard transition into the financial world because it wasn't structural," he explained, citing disconnection and unacknowledged PTSD.
A pivotal moment involved learning of friend Captain Travis Patriquin's death two years after it occurred in 2006. Patriquin played a key role in the Anbar Awakening. "I felt an enormous sense of guilt," McDermott said. His book honors such sacrifices, aiming to bridge civilian-military understanding. Patriquin's father, Gary Patrick Quinn, provided advance praise: "This book honors not only the memory of those we have lost but also ensures their legacy endures, capturing the essence of who they were—not just as soldiers, but as extraordinary individuals whose impact continues to inspire."
McDermott noted diverse post-service paths: some enter defense contracting, others pivot entirely. He remains in the defense community, stressing its role in employing vets and bolstering national security. His book is available on Amazon, discounted to $3.99 for the e-book through November.
Discussing his family, McDermott shared that his son graduated from West Point, with President Trump speaking at the ceremony. "It was memorable and a wonderful honor," he said. His son is now training at Fort Benning, Georgia, before assignment to Fort Bliss, Texas.
On military leadership, McDermott highlighted a focus on warrior ethos—team first, accountability, and execution. He emphasized appreciating military families' sacrifices, noting November as Military Family Month. "The sacrifice of our military families is enormous," he said, drawing from his experiences and roles supporting families.
Winn reflected on her husband's Army aviation career and their support for military families. McDermott stressed preparation, mission focus, and community engagement for national security.
In closing thoughts, McDermott advocated war as a last resort, thorough preparation for service members, and sustained public understanding of the military ecosystem.
Uncovering Arctic Frost: Judicial Overreach and Election Integrity with Jack Dona
Kathleen Winn delved into Operation Arctic Frost and broader election concerns with Jack Dona, a U.S. Army retired Master Sergeant with four decades in intelligence, including work at the National Security Agency and deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Dona described Arctic Frost as a broad surveillance operation launched by Special Counsel Jack Smith to target GOP individuals and prove criminal activity against Donald Trump. Documents released by the House Judicial Committee, via Kash Patel, reveal its scope. "It truly is breathtaking, the scope of the net that was thrown by Jack Smith," Dona said.
Central to the controversy is Judge James Boasberg, presiding over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). "Judge Boasberg had his little hand on every scale, not of justice, but to upset justice," Dona stated. Boasberg's involvement dates back to approving a warrant on Carter Page, knowing Page was a CIA operative. "This guy goes all the way back to the days of when he approved a targeted surveillance warrant of Carter Page," Dona explained.
The operation violated Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches, lacking probable cause. Dona read the amendment: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated..." Targets included Trump's valet, chief usher, Secret Service director, and alternate electors— a "fishing expedition" to derail the MAGA movement.
Gag orders on providers like T-Mobile and Verizon prevented notifications, violating laws requiring alerts. "That right there tells you what they're trying to do is they're trying to find a crime," Dona said. He believes it traces to Merrick Garland and Joe Biden, despite claims of DOJ independence.
Dona called for overhaul: "I think we've crossed the Rubicon. I really do. I don't think there is any going back without a complete and total overhaul of the intelligence community and also the judicial branch." Senators Grassley and Ted Cruz may lead investigations, potentially yielding criminal referrals if probable cause is absent. However, he warned of judicial protectionism in D.C. courts.
Shifting to elections, Dona questioned results in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York, citing anomalies like vote surges mirroring 2020 patterns. In Virginia, more votes were cast than in 2024 despite lower turnout claims. "We're supposed to believe that all of a sudden the Democrats came out of nowhere and swept all of these elections? I don't believe it," he said.
He criticized Pima County's chain of custody, drop boxes, and lack of transparency, noting redacted procedures in documents. "Why would they need to redact the procedures that they are using? This all speaks to chain of custody," Dona questioned. Ballots spilled on the ground, with no observer access due to renamed "ballot replacement centers."
Dona argued for federal intervention: one-day voting, voter ID, paper ballots, proof of citizenship, in-person voting, smaller precincts, and a national holiday. "They've got to fix two things: they've got to fix the election system and they have to fix the census," he said, noting census corruption during COVID.
He linked tactics to communism, drawing from his father's escape from a communist regime. "The first thing they do when they get into power is they rig the election system so you can't get them out," Dona explained. In New York, he criticized Mondami's seizure threats on bodegas and voter ignorance.
On Veterans Day, Dona shared personal ties: named after his uncle Fernando Rivera, executed in Korean War camps. His father served 23 years in the Air Force. "So many went before us and made so many sacrifices for us to live in freedom," he reflected, urging passage of these values to youth amid Marxist threats.