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.

Lee CARES rental and utility assistance application portal now open

Relief is on the way for you if you’re worried you won’t be able to pay your rent or utility fees: Lee County commissioners are looking to get renters more money through the Lee CARES Emergency​ Rental Assistance Program. Through January, Lee County distributed more than $60 million in aid during the pandemic. The county […]

99-year-old merchant marine vaccinated after months of trying

UPDATE: Since this story was first reported, Billie Pennings received a vaccine shot from the North Collier Fire Rescue District. *** A 99-year-old U.S. Merchant Marine veteran is still waiting for her COVID-19 vaccine. Her family has been fighting to find her an appointment for months and even sent a letter to the governor for […]

Questions remain after Florida COVID-19 vaccines delayed by winter storm

Many people are wondering about vaccine distribution in Southwest Florida after a winter storm across the U.S. held up the supply. When the first shots arrived in December, the state picked four hospitals in big cities to serve as vaccine hubs. When Florida started to get more vaccines in January, the governor said it was […]

Helicopter pilot secures vaccines for her parents in Florida while in Afghanistan

Helping her country isn’t the only sense of a duty a helicopter pilot has. She is protecting those she loves most during the pandemic, and she proved you can do it from thousands of miles away. U.S. Army veteran Fallon Blattner was able to get the much-needed coronavirus vaccine for her mother and father all […]

SWFL group’s efforts lead to deputy’s arrest in child predator investigation

A man sworn under oath to serve and protect was caught preying on someone who he believed was a teenage girl. Members of an online group talked with a deputy for months until there was enough evidence against him. It’s a breakthrough for the work team members have conducted together to catch predators. Southwest Florida […]

Boat goes up in flames in Cape Coral, no injuries

A post-dinner cruise on the water ended with a boat in flames for two friends in Cape Coral on Thursday. Serge Charland was visiting his friend Stefan when the two decided to take Stefan’s new boat out for a spin. While the two were out on the water, they noticed the smell of plastic. “There […]

Wait for trial could be longer for accused Lake Boyz member

A Fort Myers man accused of being in a gang known as the Lake Boyz will need a new attorney, delaying the trial even longer. Jari McMiller had a hearing on Friday morning to discuss a conflict his attorney Donald Day has representing him in the case. McMiller was among dozens of men accused of […]

Child injured after being struck by vehicle in Bonita Springs

A 10-year-old was hit by a car and injured Thursday morning while walking to his bus stop in Bonita Springs. Johnny Domingo Mateo Nicolas was walking along Bonita Drive off Old US-41 Road. Bonita Drive has no sidewalks and construction is going on there right now. Johnny was struck near Woods Circle, and immediately after […]

Answering your Walmart and Winn-Dixie vaccine sign-up questions

Winn-Dixie and Walmart are gearing up to offer COVID-19 vaccine shots across Southwest Florida, and a lot of you are calling and emailing us to ask how you can sign up and what happens if you have any issues with it. Most of you jumped into the process Tuesday, learning as you tried to book. Now […]

Selena Roth

Army specialist from Naples charged with murder after death of wife at Hawaii base

A mother and veteran died in Hawaii, leaving behind her one-year-old baby. Now, her husband is accused of killing her. Raul Hernandez Perez from Naples is now in custody in Hawaii. WINK News spoke to the victim’s sister about who she was. Selena Roth was always serving. “She was very kindhearted. She was definitely an […]