Professional Experience:
 
I joined the WINK News team in June 2022 and worked as an Environmental Reporter for the first year and a half. Now I work as a general assignment reporter.
At the University of Florida, I reported, produced, and anchored for WUFT News.
Awards & Recognition:
 
National Student Edward R. Murrow award and first place in BEA's news magazine category for coverage of Hurricane Ida's aftermath in Houma, LA.
Education
 
Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication-News, University of Florida. GO GATORS!
Likes best about Southwest Florida
 
The beach, the people, and the lack of a winter.
Memorable Assignments
As a native Floridian, I have witnessed the impact of hurricanes and tropical storms throughout my life. During my senior year at the University of Florida, I took an investigative reporting class and traveled to Houma, Louisiana, after Hurricane Ida. There, I saw the devastation from the storm and the resilience of a community rising from the rubble. That story solidified what I wanted to do - become a broadcast journalist.
Just months after joining the WINK News team, Hurricane Ian struck, and once again, I saw the familiar sight of a community uniting in the wake of disaster. Those stories of hope, moments of kindness, and the people within hold a special place in my memory.
Hobbies and Interests: 
I love doing anything outdoors! On weekends, you can find me on a walk at one of my favorite nature preserves, including Six-Mile-Cypress and Audobon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and then at one of our beautiful beaches.
Hometown: 
I was born and raised in Orlando. My mom, dad, and two brothers still live there. They are the reason WINK News viewership out of Central Florida spiked starting in June 2022.
Fun fact: 
My number one goal is to be on Jeopardy one day. Growing up, my dad and I watched every night we could, and I continue that tradition today.

Naples Botanical Garden handled Ian better than expected

Hurricanes Charlie, Dorian, Irma, and Ian all impacted the Naples Botanical Garden, but luckily they fared better than they expected after Ian. Thanks to their environmentally conscious planning, storm surge was not a big issue for them. Between blossoming flowers, pristine grounds, and cascading trees, you wouldn’t know the extent of the damage Naples Botanical […]

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Animals preparing for frigid temperatures at Peace River Wildlife Center prepares

How will the animals in Southwest Florida handle the frigid temperatures that are anticipated over the next few days? Staff members at the Peace River Wildlife Center are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the injured or orphaned animals that call it home. WINK News spoke with Callie Stahl, the executive […]

Bailey Homestead Preserve continues to protect native plants after Ian

Nearly three months after Ian, many lawns are still in disarray. Saltwater in soil has many people wondering what to replant, what to remove, and what can flourish again. This is the Bailey Homestead Preserve in September before Hurricane Ian. That’s when Sue Ramos showed off her beautiful office and shared her passion for native […]

Researchers studying how Southwest Florida water differs at night

Water is complex, from fresh water in Lake Okeechobee to saltwater in the Gulf of Mexico and the estuaries where they meet. A slight ripple in their conditions can have a wave of impacts on those who rely on it. “We have a lot of different types of users. People on Sanibel don’t want harmful […]

Florida Gulf Coast University returns to a traditional commencement ceremony

After three years, Florida Gulf Coast University is back to a traditional commencement ceremony. “There’s been a big team of people that are trying to do a lot of different things to make things as special as possible for our graduates this weekend,” said Eric Balmer, senior director of campus reservations and university events. Balmer, […]

81-year-old man gets engineering graduate degree from FGCU

A soon-to-be Florida Gulf Coast University graduate is taking the life-long learner title to a whole new level. Patience is said to be a virtue. For Andy Ask, Saturday will be a celebration 81 years in the making. Ask isn’t done asking questions and continuing his education. But he got his first degree in engineering […]

Captains for Clean Water launches Ian relief program for fishing guides

A Fort Myers-based nonprofit has launched a Hurricane Ian relief program to support fishing guides and long-term community recovery. Captains for Clean Water, a nonprofit that advocates for restoring and protecting Florida’s water resources, recently launched its Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to support the people and communities impacted by Category 4 Hurricane Ian, one of […]

Florida’s citrus farmers are hurting after a pair of hurricanes

Hurricane Ian took so much from so many, including hitting one of Florida’s biggest industries; agriculture. The citrus industry was the one that was hit the hardest. You wouldn’t be able to tell by what appears to be a thriving field of crops, but Jamerson Farms, like many others in Florida, is still feeling the […]

FWC changes derelict boat program to help clean up efforts

Tired of seeing boats littered all over the place? Well, a change to a state program could help get them removed, protect our environment, and save taxpayer dollars at the same time. If you look out your car window as you head to Fort Myers Beach, you can’t miss the sea of derelict boats. For a […]

Firefighters get new training opportunity in Charlotte County

Flames shoot from an airplane, and its engine is a ball of fire. Firefighters rush inside the plane in an attempt to put out a fire in the cockpit as it spreads to the main cabin. This is an intense training exercise designed to help crews prepare for something that will hopefully never happen. “We’re […]