Professional Experience

Amanda joined the WINK News team in October 2011.  She anchors week nights at 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 11:00 PM on WINK-TV and 6:30 PM and 10:00 PM on WXCW.  Amanda previously served as the evening anchor at WDHN in Dothan, Alabama.

Awards and Recognition

Amanda's work on the anchor desk and in the field covering breaking news has been honored by the Suncoast Chapter of  the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), the Florida Associated Press, and the Florida Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

News Philosophy

To give a voice to the voiceless and hold the powerful accountable.

Hobbies, Interest & Community Involvement

Amanda volunteers and contributes to several annual events for charitable organizations including Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Healthy Start of Southwest Florida, Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida, and the Southwest Florida Reading Festival. When she's away from work, Amanda enjoys reading, shopping, traveling, and cheering on the Florida Gators!

Education

Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication, University of Florida.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

Amanda was born in Fort Myers and raised between the Gulf Coast and Sebring in Central Florida, so it's great to be home!

Hometown

Born in Fort Myers, Fla., raised in Sebring, Fla.

Memorable Assignments

Amanda's work takes her all over Florida and the country covering stories of national importance. In 2016, Amanda covered the presidential candidates including two nationally televised debates and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.  In 2017, she anchored WINK's coverage of President Donald Trump's Inauguration.

Interesting Fact

Amanda is a former Miss Florida Gator

WINK News investigates Ben Carson’s West Point scholarship claims

TAMPA, Fla.- Republican Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson now says he never applied, nor was granted admission to West Point, but he’s sticking to his story about being offered a scholarship. Carson talks about the offer allegedly made in 1969 in his autobiography “Gifted Hands.” However, there’s no such thing as a “full scholarship” to West […]

PolitiFact: Rubio’s defense on missed Senate votes

TAMPA, Fla.- Florida’s Republican presidential candidates are making headlines after a major clash during Wednesday night’s debate on CNBC. Ahead of the debate, an editorial in the Sun Sentinel called for U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to resign over missed votes in the Senate. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), took the opportunity to lay into Rubio saying, “This […]

Halloween Happenings in Lee County

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Halloween is right around the corner, and there are several spooky and family fun events happening here in Southwest Florida. Each day and until 9 p.m. leading up to Oct. 31, Lakes Regional Park hosts its annual Halloween Celebration. There’s a giant pumpkin patch, a scarecrow contest and train rides circling a miniature haunted village. Attendance at […]

Job fair looks to curb crime with opportunities

FORT MYERS, Fla.- It’s been two weeks since a series of shootings rocked the city of Fort Myers. The Dunbar community is still shaken by the wave of violence, and desperate for help. For those hosting a job fair, they hope the key to cutting crime will be getting people to work. Southwest Florida Labor […]

Artists give stories behind the songs at Island Hopper Fest

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The second annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is in full swing.  It features more than 70 songwriters at 23 different concert venues on Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, and in downtown Fort Myers. Jana Kramer is one of the featured artists.  Back in 2008, Jana was a regular on the CW hit […]

PolitiFact: Can Jeb Bush claim he’s released all his emails?

TAMPA, Fla.- Jeb Bush is stepping up his attacks on Hillary Clinton’s private emails in an ad released on August 27. Bush also used a private email server during his time as Florida governor, and claims he released all of those emails to the public. The ad title ‘transparency v. Secrecy’ uses a series of […]

PolitiFact: Fact checking GOP presidential candidates on immigration

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Immigration is dominating the Republican presidential race and pitting the candidates against each other. WINK News investigated some of the biggest claims about immigration from last week’s GOP debate on Fox News Channel. Donald Trump:  ‘The Mexican government… sends the bad ones over.’ During the August 6th debate, Billionaire Donald Trump said […]

Fact-check: Clinton says stocks do better with a Democrat in the White House

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Want to see a stock market boom? Hillary Clinton says put another Democrat in the White House. Clinton made the comment during a campaign stop in New Hampshire, adding “The evidence is pretty clear that under Democratic presidents, going a ways back, people do better.” WINK News and our team of researchers at […]

Planned Parenthood responds to report of illegal abortions in Florida

NAPLES, Fla.- When a state investigation released Wednesday revealed Planned Parenthood clinics in Fort Myers and Naples were performing illegal second trimester abortions, WINK News went to the Naples office for a response. One staff member acknowledged the investigation, but would not say anything specific about the findings. Another staff member escorted our crew away […]