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

PolitiFact: Fact-checking claims in Planned Parenthood funding fight

FORT MYERS, Fla.-  A series of secretly recorded and highly edited videos by anti-abortion activists has Planned Parenthood under fire and under the microscope. The videos claim to show Planned Parenthood employees discussing the sale of fetal body parts. “This video is absolutely shockingly inhumane,” Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., said. Republicans want to pass legislation […]

Wish granted for Southwest Florida girl battling leukemia

NAPLES, Fla.- Tropical foods and drinks, music, and even a fire show were all part of a surprise luau for a young girl fighting leukemia. WINK News was at the Ritz in Naples on Friday where Victoria Law learned she and her family are going on a vacation in Hawaii. Shortly after the surprise Law […]

GOP Congressman claims Donald Trump may have been planted by Democrats

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Outspoken Donald Trump says some controversial things, but WINK News uncovered an outrageous claim being made about him. A Republican congressman from South Florida has a theory that Trump may have been planted by democrats to help get Hillary Clinton elected. In a recent radio interview U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla. Said […]

Multicultural Centre still accepting donations for backpack giveaway

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Thousands of parents are dreading the start of the new school year in a couple weeks. They might have to send their kids back without a backpack. A local  girl is working to change that, with your help. As most kids squeeze out the last days of summer fun, Lupita Salcedo is […]

PolitiFact: Trump’s immigration claim is mostly false

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Donald Trump has made a string of inflammatory remarks about Mexican immigrants since launching his presidential campaign. During his announcement speech on June 16, Trump called them drug runners and rapists. In the weeks since, Trump hasn’t apologized or backed down. He told voters at a campaign event in Bedford, New Hampshire […]

SWFL hotels, attractions offer off-season discounts to draw business

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Summer is almost here and if you’re thinking about a getaway not too far from home,  several area attractions and hotels are now lowering their rates hoping to attract locals to book a “staycation.” While Southwest Florida has plenty of visitors in the winter and spring, there are fewer in the summer […]

Poll: Scott Walker leads, Jeb Bush trails most GOP rivals in Iowa

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is the top dog with a big early lead in the Iowa Republican Caucus, with a four-way scramble for second place and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in seventh place with 5 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. Walker is at 21 percent of likely GOP caucus participants, […]

SWFL man headed to Nepal to help with earthquake relief

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A Cape Coral native is preparing to head to Nepal to answer the call for disaster relief after this weekend’s devastating earthquake. The death toll now tops 4,000 people. A Nepal army spokesman says rescue workers and medical teams from at least a dozen countries are in Nepal helping local police and […]

Lee County sheriff responds to probation overhaul idea

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A Florida lawmaker wants to overhaul the state probation system. Right now, it’s run by the Florida Department of Corrections, which also runs the state’s prisons. A recent WINK News investigation revealed constant penny pinching has led to less supervision. Representative Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, wants to spend $250,000 on a […]

PolitiFact checks SeaWorld claims about killer whales in captivity

FORT MYERS, Fla.- SeaWorld is fighting back against its critics. The company launched a multi-media blitz this week about its killer whales. The amusement park has come under fire from animal rights activists and the documentary “Blackfish” which was critical of SeaWorld’s treatment of animals in captivity. Our research partners at PolitiFact Florida decided to […]