Professional Experience

I joined the WINK News team in June 2020. I am a general assignment reporter, soaking in more than just sunshine every single day!

I started my reporting career in Panama City Beach, Florida, at WJHG/WECP. There, my love for storytelling expanded as I learned the true impact of great journalism.

Four months into my time in the Panhandle, Hurricane Michael ravaged the area, showing me the importance of local news and the crucial need for journalism after a devastating event. My reporting helped people get the resources they needed after the storm, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Given my experience covering a major storm, Hurricane Ian was like deja vu. Immediately after the storm, I knew how crucial it was to tell the stories of survival and connect people with the right resources to rebuild their lives.

The best feeling in the world is when my stories can bring a helping hand to someone in need.

My time in Southwest Florida has led me to cover various topics. From being a lead reporter on the Gabby Petitio case to covering the highly anticipated Florida elections, but not before navigating the challenges of reporting during a global pandemic.

There's a reason why I'm soaking up more than just sunshine! Every day I am lucky to learn something new about the environmental, political, and deeply personal stories of the Sunshine State.

Awards and Recognition

My work in the field led me to win a Florida Associated Press award for my coverage after Hurricane Michael.

I've emceed nearly half a dozen community staple events.

I have been written up in the Florida State University Nomadic Nole magazine for my accomplishments as a proud Seminole alumnus.

Hobbies, Interest & Community Involvement

I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes! I also have an aloe plant I’m really trying to keep alive. More than anything, I love getting outdoors and exercising with my dog Maggie Mae.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

I love just being down south! I love the warm weather, the beaches, and being near friends and family.

Best options to track your pets

A dog in California was tracked down with an Apple Air Tag after getting swept away by floodwaters for nearly a mile while on a walk with his owner. The dog, Seamus, ended up about 10 feet down in a drain pipe after he was separated from his owner. Although it worked in this particular […]

Damaged piers need repairs after Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers

Trash is all over the place, the dock is still stuck in the mangroves, and things spread across the ground, making a beautiful area look less aesthetic after Hurricane Ian. The Tarpon Street Pier and Riverside Park were wrecked in the surge from Ian, and there has been no visible effort to clean or repair […]

Gov. DeSantis provides update on trailers, money distributed for hurricane relief

Governor Ron DeSantis was in Morse Shores on Thursday to announce help from the state for hurricane victims. DeSantis discussed everything the state government has done to help those most affected by the hurricane. DeSantis said the state has handed out 140 trailers, roughly 60 more than FEMA has, and said there are 2,400 more […]

Fort Myers moving ahead with plan to create affordable housing on vacant lots

A plan for fighting the housing crisis in Fort Myers is so new it doesn’t even have a name yet. The housing project would allow the city to turn vacant lots into affordable housing all over the city. Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson called the program a win-win-win. It’s a win for the person who […]

City of Fort Myers wants to buy vacant lots to build affordable homes

Building homes for people who are the backbone of the community is what Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson says the city plans to do for teachers and first responders. The plan is in the early stages, but the idea is to break into the housing market and bring more affordable places to the area. The […]

Fort Myers mayor on making a deal to lease out the Fort Myers Yacht Basin

The Fort Myers Yacht Basin is locked up, powerless, and waiting for the next move. But the city is confident a deal will be struck soon, and repairs will finally get underway. Kevin Anderson, the mayor of Fort Myers, believes that there’s a lot of potential that could come from a deal with Suntex Marinas […]

3 options remaining for new Fort Myers Police Department headquarters

The City of Fort Myers has narrowed down its list of possible locations for a new police department headquarters. No location has been finalized as of Friday, but the city has narrowed the field down to three locations. And the spots being considered aren’t too far from the current police headquarters. One is on Central […]

Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center preparing for grand opening weekend

A place where people can come together to grow and serve their community is now open here in Southwest Florida. The Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center is getting prepared to open on Sunday. The building is a dream come true for many people in the Jewish community. It was conceived in 2016. Construction began in […]

Bonita Beach homeowners worried county will run out of sand before getting to them

Hurricane Ian forced the Gulf to take a big gulp out of Tom Podlesney’s yard. The water pushed through his Bonita Beachfront backyard, leaving a mess when it left. The water reached 3 to 4 feet high in the backyard. “Just my luck, I got the river running through it,” Podlesney said. “That’s the risk […]

New childhood obesity treatment guidelines include medication and surgery

A new treatment for childhood obesity is on the way. It’s the first new guidance in about 15 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics said the changes will include nutrition support and increased physical activity for children as young as two. For teens, this could also include medication and possibly even surgery. Childhood obesity is […]