Professional Experience

2017 to present: Morning anchor, WINK News. 2012 to 2016: Reporter, weekend anchor, WINK News. Previously worked at KAGS-TV in College Station, Texas, and KHOU-TV in Houston. Also managed the visual and interactive media department for a Houston urgent care company.

News Philosophy

My news philosophy is fairness and giving everyone the ability to have their voice heard. I believe in telling every story as fair and as accurate as possible and being able to be the voice for those who otherwise would not be heard.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Service

Serves on the committee for the American Cancer Society's City of Palms Park Relay for Life. Also likes to dabble in photography.

Education

Sam Houston State University.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

I love many things about Southwest Florida, but most of all, I love all the beauty. As an avid still photographer, I love finding new places to take pictures of nature.

Hometown

Houston.

Gentle’Men Against Domestic Violence Take a Stand event held in Collier County

A group of people is spreading out through Collier County to save lives. The Gentle’Men Against Domestic Violence Take a Stand event is happening in Collier County. They are trying to prevent abuse and help victims with a way out by leaving door hangers, or paper flyers, with information on the Naples Shelter for Abused […]

Students with special needs find 'Best Buddies' through SWFL schools program. (Credit: WINK News/Melinda Lee)

Best Buddies nonprofit awards Champion of the Year at Friday night gala

On Friday night, Southwest Florida nonprofit Best Buddies will announce its Champion of the Year at an annual gala. Best Buddies helps those with intellectual and developmental disabilities find jobs, meet friends and works to help them live independently in society. The Campions of the Year are locals who raise money for the organization and […]

Collier County men make 1,200 mile bike trek to spread domestic violence awareness

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office partners with businesses and individuals to be their eyes and ears in the community. One Naples man learned how to spot the signs of domestic abuse, then used his bike to spread that message from Naples to Washington, D.C. Colin Estrem not only speaks out against domestic violence; he and […]

How do teens, born after the attacks, relate to 9/11?

Born years after the September 11 attacks, teens like Victoria Sweet only know what they were taught in school about the day America came under attack. “They just kind of showed us videos of the airplanes hitting, but there really wasn’t much and didn’t go in-depth,” Victoria said. There is no real attachment to the […]

Evidence in Zombicon shooting shows night’s chaos and challenge of solving crime

Evidence in the Zombicon shooting shows what lengths investigators and prosecutors went to solve one of Fort Myers’ most notorious murders. The Zombicon mass shooting ended the life of 20-year-old Expavious Tyrell Taylor and injured many others. In an exclusive, WINK News shows you the panic, confusion and terror felt by the crowd of thousands […]

SWFL assistant state attorney recognized for effort to solve cold cases

One of Southwest Florida’s state prosecutors is not often seen in the public eye, but he is earning accolades for bringing killers to justice and closure to grieving families. This summer, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association presented Assistant State Attorney Dan Feinberg the 2020 Eugene Berry Award. It’s given to one assistant state attorney out of […]

Group to host ‘Mental Health and the Modern Father Figure’ event

Strong, tough, doesn’t talk about his feelings—all descriptors that come to mind thinking of an older conception of how many feel a man should be. But one Southwest Florida father is now trying to break the mold after his daughter tried taking her own life. Gabby Beaulieu, 17, suffered in school, feeling left out and […]

Dr. Rossi: Debating police reform

This week’s guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin has put pressure on the Senate to pass some sort of police reform legislation, but the possibility of a bipartisan deal seems slim at the moment. Political psychologist Dr. Bart Rossi joins WINK News anchor Corey Lazar to analyze the situation. Watch the full video […]

Partnership with Golisano helps FGCU counselors serve children, families

A new in-person partnership is helping families to get through the pandemic emotionally. It’s not only helping parents and children but the counselors themselves. Laura Watkins is taking on a whole new chapter in her life. The FGCU student is working toward her masters in mental health counseling. “People being isolated, people very much and […]

Lee County students take on COVID-19 in science fair projects

A pair of Lee County students invented incredible projects for a science fair, all designed to solve some of the pandemic’s biggest problems. Mason Huffman, 12, turned his dining room into a high-tech, laser-shooting, sound-listening chamber. The optical setup was used to test a mask’s ability to retain respiratory droplets. Mason not only designed the […]