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.

Students get back in the field at Vester Field Station

The pandemic shifted both the teaching and learning model these past couple of years at every age. Many still work to fill in the gap of time and lessons lost due to social distance learning. One group in Southwest Florida is getting back on board with their education. Give Chad Evers a choice and he’d […]

horse conch

Horse conch species population drops over last decade

The horse conch species has been in a steady drop in population over the last decade due to human activity. The horse conch is known as the giant band shell has been Florida’s state shell since 1969. WINK News talked to one of the scientists studying the species to see how vulnerable it might be. […]

lilies

Water lily festival happening on Saturday and Sunday

Waterlily Weekend is happening Saturday and Sunday at Naples Botanical Garden. Many people look forward to seeing the beauty of tropical plants come to life at the Naples Botanical Garden. This labor day weekend people will see them firsthand as they tour the 170 acres they live at. But there’s more to these blooming beauties […]

Palm trees

Researchers working to protect palm trees from disease known as ‘butt rot’

Palm trees are near as synonymous with Florida as sunshine, and just like people, they can get sick. This is what’s known as butt rot. The mushroom-like conks at the base of a palm tree are the distinguishing symptom and indicate your palm tree can’t be saved. One University of Florida researcher is getting into […]

FWC releases video to educate public on red tide blooms

No one living in Southwest Florida at the time will forget the red tide in 2018. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute created a video on red tide to keep Southwest Florida natives and visitors aware and educated. Fortunately, it’s not because the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, has recently been spotted along our […]

The importance of cypress domes in Southwest Florida

The cypress trees in the wetlands help fight climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, and they can be found across Southwest Florida. Chad Evers, an instructor with the FGCU Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies, led WINK News through the wetlands on the university’s campus. We walked into waist-deep water to show […]

cane toads

Cane toad population on the rise; why they are dangerous

The poisonous cane toads population is on the rise in Southwest Florida. These toads hide in plain sight, in mulch and under bushes but the toxic cane toads can’t escape Scott Flavelle’s quick hands. When the sun goes down, Flavelle with Scott’s Animal Services jumps into action with his flashlight to catch these toads. 15 […]

FGCU Water School

Florida Gulf Coast University opens newly built Water School

Florida Gulf Coast University opens newly built Water School and had its first class on Friday. The Water School came to be during SWFL’s harmful algal bloom crisis in 2018, with professors and students diving into our water quality and its impacts on people and the environment. Trinity Allan, FGCU’s Research Assistant said, “It’s given […]

Frog Watch keeps an eye on SWFL’s frog population

Frogs symbolize fertility in ancient Egypt, Luck in Japan and in some Native American cultures, the frog symbolizes rain. But in Southwest Florida, they’re all about water quality. Heidi Randall is a first-time frog watcher. And the croaking creatures already love her. “So frogs are an indicator species. When frogs are in an area that […]

Public comment wanted for Lake Okeechobee water management plan

The U.S. Army Corps of engineers needs your help on a proposal for Lake Okeechobee. They’re asking for people’s opinions on a plan that would send more water to the Everglades. The goal is to protect the water supply and reduce the need for harmful discharges in the northern estuaries. Not everyone is happy about […]