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.

SWFL real estate market is booming

After the blue-green algae crisis pummeled Southwest Florida, home values and sales sank. But not anymore. Now, clean water may be helping fuel a renewed real estate boom. Bobbie Schwartz’s specialty is hospitality. Schwartz, the owner of Wisteria Tea Room and Cafe in Fort Myers, said flipping homes with her husband is an extension of […]

SWFL volunteers provide support in Louisiana after Hurricane Barry

Help is already on the ground in Louisiana. The U.S National Guard refueled a generator that powers a pumping station in Morgan City during Barry. And they’re not the only ones helping storm victims along the gulf coast. Seven volunteers from Fort Myers and Naples headed to Louisiana as early as Tuesday to start preparing […]

Does family income affect your child’s school rating?

The recently released report for school ratings may indicate that where families live and how much they make will impact how their child does in school. Parents may not like seeing their child earn a C on their report card. But at DeSoto County’s Nocatee Elementary, they’re celebrating a C. Since 2013, Nocatee scored a […]

Classroom. (Credit: WINK News)

Discrepancies over the state’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program

It’s a free program paid by the state. But do pre-schools that offer voluntary pre-kindergarten classes have the right to deny your child if you do not pay for before and aftercare? Walk into Bestday Child Care Children Center in San Carlos Park. A person can see why 4-year-olds might want to stay all day […]

Alana Tamplin, 12, was hit by a vehicle and died Monday. (Credit: WINK News.)

Case of killed 12-year-old walking to bus stop turned over to State Attorney

In the case of a young girl who was killed in a hit-and-run crash, late Monday afternoon, Florida Highway Patrol confirmed it would turn over the entire investigative case to the State Attorney. The decision to issue only a careless driving citation did not sit well with the family of Alana Tamplin’s family and friends. […]

Fort Myers police investigating incident on Cranford Ave.

Fort Myers police surrounded a vehicle and closed Cranford Avenue Saturday morning while they conducted an investigation. A black Nissan car parked in the middle of the road with crime tape around it appears to be the focus of the investigation. Neighbors off camera said they did hear gunshots, but that has not been confirmed. […]

Voting

Florida felon’s voting rights disputed by lawmakers, nonprofit sues

A judge will likely have to settle a difference of opinion between those who fought to restore felon voting rights and our lawmaker’s interpretation of the constitutional amendment. State lawmakers added critical language requiring felons in Florida pay any fines and fees owed to the court before their right to vote is restored in the […]

Florida texting and driving law goes into effect July 1

Reminder: Don’t text and drive. Beginning Monday, drivers in Florida can get in legal trouble if a law enforcement officer sees them on the road doing it. With new state laws going into effect July 1, one of them makes texting and driving a primary offense in the state, so officers can pull drivers over […]

Sheriff’s office opens community center at Miromar Outlets in Estero

From women’s self-defense classes to active shooter training and even a teen driving program, a new space will be host to new services that will allow community members to interact with law enforcement officers on a personal level. Lee County Sheriff’s Office gave us a look inside it new community outreach center at Miromar Outlets […]

Ring video footage. (Credit: WINK News)

Fort Myers Police Department can now use your Ring doorbell surveillance

They let you know what is going on at your home; now, they will help officers fight crime. Fort Myers Police Dept. can now use video from your Ring doorbell camera to track down criminals. Robin Hall saw us at her front door in Fort Myers long before we saw her. If you have a […]