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

Cape Coral couple encounters issues with contractor after Hurricane Ian

One thing lawmakers did away with in the special session is an assignment of benefits. It’s when you sign over your insurance rights to a contractor or a third party. But now, as one Cape Coral couple learned the hard way, some contractors have switched things up using insurance contingency agreements. Tom and Susan Jackson, […]

Where do we grow from here: Southwest Florida’s rising rent

The cost of living skyrocketed this year as Southwest Florida continued to grow and as it works to rebuild after Hurricane Ian. As we prepare to close out 2022, WINK News decided to take a look back at the past year’s crazy rent prices and revisit a series we did seven years ago called: “Where […]

Big Brothers, Big Sisters trying to recruit 100 SWFL men in 100 days

Big Brothers, Big Sisters is starting a campaign throughout Southwest Florida Tuesday to recruit 100 men in 100 days. Hundreds of boys in our area are waiting to be matched with positive role models. Big brothers and sisters with the volunteer organization are matched with kids based on their personalities and shared interests. WINK News’ […]

Valerie’s House receives large donation, hopes to build new home

A Southwest Florida nonprofit received a large donation on Thursday. Valerie’s House was given a $500,000 check to help them serve the children in the area who could be grieving the loss of a loved one. The donation is from Creighton Construction and Development. Dan Creighton presented the check to Valerie’s House’s Angela Melvin. “When […]

Collier County’s mental health court

To avoid people with mental illness going in and out of jail without their real problems being addressed, Collier County has a specialty court dedicated to the issue. In the case of Aaron Serbu, the court kept him out of jail, got him off the streets and likely saved his life, a life with its […]