Professional Experience

2019 to present: Reporter, WINK News
2015 to 2019: Reporter, Producer, and fill-in Anchor, WWSB in Sarasota
2014: Intern, The Today Show and NBC Nightly News in Miami

Awards & Recognition

Finalist in Feature Television Reporting for the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence awards, and Robert Corley Groves Award for Outstanding Achievement in TV Producing.

News Philosophy

Every person has a story. Be honest and transparent while sharing it with the world.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Cheering on the Miami Hurricanes, experimenting with vegetarian recipes, spending too much money at Target and taking long naps.

Education

Bachelor of Science from the University of Miami, majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in LGBTQ Studies.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

The WINK Weather Authority will never predict snow for SWFL. Every day feels like summer. It's either hot, hotter, or hottest.

Hometown

Mullica Hill, NJ.

Tiger performs an act. (Credit: Loomis Bros. Circus)

Circus comes to Charlotte County. Some worry about animal mistreatment.

The circus is coming to town, but not everybody is excited. Some people in Charlotte County want to stop it, afraid circus workers are mistreating animals. Drivers traveling down El Jobean Rd. will see a sign outside of the Charlotte County Fair Grounds advertising shows, which is getting families like the Koel’s excited for the […]

Mugshot of Bret Lee, 58. (Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff's Office)

Punta Gorda man sought oral sex with underage boys, deputies say

A Punta Gorda man soliciting oral sex from underage boys has been arrested in an undercover sting by deputies. It was a potential nightmare adverted by the parents of the teenagers. It is hard for people at the Peace River RV Park to process the arrest of their neighbor, Bret Lee, 58. “It’s not like […]

Congress passes bill expanding veteran eligibility for American Legion

Veterans of the Cold War have been denied benefits for decades. It’s been the reality for those veterans who wanted to join the American Legion. But things are changing with new legislation put through the process in support of these service members. And we spoke to a local veteran who said now veterans who have […]

Charlotte County businesses having better summer free of red tide

Homeowners and businesses suffered when red tide hit beaches in Southwest Florida last year. One year later, the water is clear, and beachgoers are back on the shores of Charlotte County. WATCH the video above for the full story by WINK News Reporter Erika Jackson, who shows us how far the area has come since […]

Girl slides down the slide on a playground. (Credit: WINK News).

Charlotte County’s Live Oak Park repairs complete nearly two years after Irma

Two years after Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage, a Charlotte County park is almost back to normal. “We really do love this park on Bayshore a lot,” said Kim Pekala, who lives in Niceville. Pekala’s kids love Charlotte Harbor’s Bayshore Live Oak Park so much, they wanted to stay on the swing while she talked […]

Medical marijuana. (Credit: News Service of Florida)

Charlotte County Public Schools devises new rule on medical marijuana

A statewide debate on medical marijuana is making its way into your child’s classroom. What if a student uses medical marijuana feet away from your child’s classroom? “We would prefer that the caregiver administer the medication at home,” said Michael Riley, community liaison for Charlotte County Public Schools. “If that is not possible and cannot […]

Charlotte County Public Schools

Charlotte County schools will train teachers how to handle active shooter situations

The Charlotte County School Board plans to make big changes to your children’s safety for the upcoming school year by training staff on how to handle active shooter situations. Starting Tuesday the Charlotte County school board will develop a new plan to train school staff on how they should respond to an active shooter situation, […]

Man teaches classroom full of children. (Credit: Neonbrand Unsplash)

Teachers who were mistakenly overpaid must reimburse Charlotte County

Dozens of teachers were accidentally overpaid. Now, Charlotte County Public Schools is making them give the money back. Most Charlotte County teachers return to their classrooms in two weeks. But for 91 instructors, opening their paychecks will not be as sweet as the last school year. Some parents, including Dusty King, believe they deserve every […]

Man sues Punta Gorda, says city recording law is unconstitutional

A man is suing the City of Punta Gorda after officials gave him a trespass warning for recording employees in city hall in 2018. Months after receiving the warning, Andrew Sheets has filed a federal lawsuit against the city. The federal lawsuit claims the ordinance violates the First Amendment, calling the code “an unreasonable restriction.” […]