Professional Experience

July 2018 to present: Reporter, WINK News. Previously worked as a resident reporter at WVVA in Bluefield, W.Va.; at ABC 7 Chicago as a news planning intern; at Dateline NBC as a story development intern; and at the Northwestern University's Medill Justice Project as a multimedia investigative reporter.

Awards & Recognition

Hearst Foundation Journalism Award for Enterprise Reporting.

Assistant produced 2-hour, Dateline episode hosted by Keith Morrison, “At the Bottom of the Pool,” aired Oct. 13, 2017.

Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society - lifelong membership exclusively for students in top 10 percent of their graduating class in journalism programs across the country.

National QuestBridge Scholar - awarded to the country's most talented, determined, and self-motivated students from low-income populations who demonstrate outstanding academic ability despite financial challenges.

News Philosophy

We consume news when we are gripped by the emotions making us all human — these are the stories that knock us off our feet. Tell the stories not easily seen that must be experienced through the emotions we all feel.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Running and cycling! I love all of the fitness-inspired events South West Florida holds to benefit others.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Magna Cum Laude.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

I am so grateful for the hundreds of days you can spend outdoors with friends and family.

Hometown 

Keystone Heights, Florida.

Red, White and Boom’s fireworks going off no matter the weather

The streets of Cape Coral are expected to be packed for Independence Day. After the pandemic cancelled festivities last year, Red, White and Boom is back, but some changes have been made. Jaycee Park has been added, a new spot for those worried about the crowds. You will have more room to stretch and space […]

Bill Cosby’s overturned conviction impacting survivors of sexual assault

A high-profile sexual assault conviction was thrown out, and it’s sending mixed messages to survivors. Comedian Bill Cosby is a free man after serving nearly three years for drugging and violating a woman. His trial marked the first for a celebrity during the #MeToo movement. Wednesday, the world watched Cosby return home. Survivors of sexual […]

Investigators say former child welfare worker falsified records

A worker employed to ensure children are taken care of faces felony charges for falsifying records, investigators say. The former Lutheran Services Florida employee said homes were safe and parents were taking proper care of their kids when she didn’t even show up to check. For half a year, Nicole Scarpaci was required to see […]

Roofing company owner Casey Crowther sentenced to 3 years, 1 month in federal prison

Casey Crowther, the owner of Target Roofing & Sheet Metal, was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to three years and one month in federal prison. After time served, he’ll receive 36 months of supervised release. He was convicted of misuse of the federal Paycheck Protection Program that was set up to help businesses keep employees employed during […]

CROWTHER PRE SENTENCING

Casey Crowther to face federal judge for sentencing

Roofing company owner Casey Crowther is set to face a federal judge Tuesday for sentencing. He was convicted of misuse of the federal Paycheck Protection Program that was set up to help businesses keep employees employed during the pandemic. A jury found Crowther guilty of bank fraud and money laundering but is expected to plead […]

Southwest Florida firefighters head to Surfside to help with rescue efforts

Southwest Florida firefighters are ready to assist the Surfside community on the east coast. On Friday, they packed their bags and rushed to Surfside, just north of Miami Beach, to help in the search and rescue efforts of overturning debris in the hopes of finding survivors. They train often in order to be prepared for […]

Hospitals offering sign-on bonuses to hire nurses in Southwest Florida

Early on in the pandemic, nurses were let go as hospitals were forced to scale back on what treatment and surgeries they could perform. Now there’s a desperate need to bring those nurses back and area hospitals are hoping large sign-on checks will work. Nurses were burned out and exhausted and afraid they could easily […]

Prepare for 2021 hurricane season now, not later

Now that we’re on the verge of the first storm of the season in the Gulf, it serves as a reminder you can never prepare too far in advance for the next big storm. Leaders from Lee County and all across the state are warning Floridians to prepare for hurricane season Friday. First responders say […]

Principal’s attorney says there is culture of corporal punishment in Hendry County

For the first time, the lawyer for the principal caught on camera paddling a 6-year-old told his client’s side of the story. Paddling is banned within Hendry County District Schools, but the Attorney Steven Ramunni says it’s been happening for years. The school district’s policy doesn’t allow corporal punishment, including spanking. There are no exceptions […]

DCF: Clewiston principal has paddled students in the past

After receiving documents from Hendry County District Schools, WINK News learned Wednesday the Clewiston principal under investigation for paddling a young student had prior incidents for paddling two other students. School district documents also show the discipline it handed down to Principal Melissa Carter of Central Elementary School: Carter had to get rid of her […]