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.

In this Aug. 8, 2011 file photo, a pedestrian walks past the New York Stock Exchange in New York. (AP Photo/Jin Lee, File)

Will there be a recession because of the inverted yield curve?

A market indicator has experts worried that Southwest Florida and the broader United States, will be in a recession within the upcoming months. But, Southwest Florida is booming today with construction on every corner, busy beaches and plenty of jobs. Dr. Shelton Weeks, Florida Gulf Coast University dept. chair of economics and finance, points to […]

Braves win inaugural game at CoolToday Park in North Port

The newest spring training facility in Southwest Florida is open for business. Thousands of fans attended to see ball players take the field inside the newly built $125 million park. The Atlanta Braves defeated the Tamp Bay Rays 4-2 in its first game inside CoolToday Park in North Port Monday. “I was 100-percent excited,” said […]

ColumbineShootingSurvivor

Columbine shooting survivor speaks in Naples

Images form the Parkland shooting certainly bring up a lot of memories for everyone. It’s been a year since the accused gunman opened fire, killing 17 people. It not only took a toll on students but the community as well. One man hopes to get the area more involved to help those suffering from mental […]

New study shows Alzheimer’s-like brain disease in dead Florida dolphins

Toxic blue-green algae hit Southwest Florida hard in 2018. Dolphins washed up on our shores by the dozen. Research at UM is shining a light on what happened to these animals. Newly released research by scientists at University of Miami found dead dolphins poisoned by blue-green algae showed signs of Alzheimer’s-like brain disease. “So what […]

Authorities crack down on SWFL drunk driving for St. Patrick’s Day

Police and deputies across Southwest Florida are cracking down on drunk driving tonight for St. Patrick’s Day Sunday. Deputies told WINK News, drivers caught drinking and driving could cost someone as much as $10,000. “Last thing you want to do is make it poor decision,” said Lieutenant Greg Bueno with Florida Highway Patrol. “It could […]

Toxic Algae: Researchers say airborne chemicals present last year

There is new proof waterways in Southwest Florida clogged with blue-green algae released high toxins into the air for months. FGCU researchers told WINK News there are not enough studies about how these airborne chemicals impact us. New test results revealed high levels in Cape Coral months ago, during a time when blue-green algae covered […]

Red tide leads to the death of marine life in March. (Credit: WINK News)

FGCU conference seeks to mitigate red tide impact

Our beaches are packed right now, but as we become closer to summer there are worries an abundance of dead fish could wash ashore once again. Scientists at Florida Gulf Coast University are talking about the future of Southwest Florida waters, along with policy and how funding it is allocated. “A lot of people are […]

A high school student uses a vaping device near a school campus in Cambridge, Mass. on April 11, 2018. Photo via AP/ Steven Senne.

How can I tell if my child is vaping?

Students are looking for ways to buy the liquid used in vape pens. The number of students vaping in our schools has sharply increased. But, unsuspecting parents find themselves in a troubling situation when they learn their kids are hiding them. The pressure to vape is high for teenagers. We’ve given a parent and their […]

Community supports family of fallen Miccosukee police officer

The family of an off-duty police officer, who was killed in a crash, received community support. Organizers spent days putting together the Barbeque and Boats fundraiser for the family of Miccosukee Police Officer Steven Greco. The Fallen Officers, Robert L. Zore Foundation told WINK News every dollar raised at the event went toward Greco’s family. […]

Boating Safety: Experts warn how to keep yourself safe

On Friday, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Lani Kai Island Resort on Fort Myers Beach when a woman was fatally struck in the head by a boat propeller. LCSO confirmed the woman died from her injuries. MORE: Woman struck by boat propeller dies on Fort Myers Beach  […]