Professional Experience

1992 to present: Anchor, WINK News.

Awards & Recognition

I've been honored with much recognition, including the "Best News Anchor" in Southwest Florida, the Phi Delta Kappa Lay Person of the Year, the Quill Pen Award from the Florida Association of School Administrators, a "Woman in History" from the American Business Women's Association, the Library Advocate of the Year by the Southwest Florida Library Network and was voted one of the top Women of the Year by Gulf Shore Life Magazine.

News Philosophy

A news organization plays a very important role in society, providing vital information in times of emergency and keeping a close watch on the powerful while, at all times, being fair and accurate.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Service

For more than 15 years I've volunteered as a committee member for the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, helped raise millions of dollars worth of food for the Harry Chapin Food Bank, served on the local board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and volunteered in area schools by reading to children and mentoring students.

Education

University of Wisconsin.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

There are so many things to love about Southwest Florida. The people, the beaches the sunsets. But if I had to chose one, it would be the weather. We are the envy of much of the country, most of the year, and that's pretty special.

Hometown

St. Anna, Wis.

Family

Husband, John; son, Nicholas; daughter, Isabella.

Harry Chapin Food Bank partners with organizations to distribute food

When it comes to feeding people in Southwest Florida, the Harry Chapin Food Bank doesn’t do it alone. They have more than 150 partner agencies, churches and other nonprofits that help them. Harry Chapin Food Bank provides the food to partner agencies and the agencies get it to the people who need it. During March […]

Harry Chapin Food Bank partners with Feeding America

Hunger is a growing issue in our community as food prices, gas prices and rent prices increase. That’s making it much harder for many families to make ends meet. WINK News continues to fundraise for the Harry Chapin Food Bank in order to provide $1 million for the community. The Harry Chapin Food Bank is […]

March to a Million Meals: From client to volunteer, bringing joy to others

One step away from hunger. Most families don’t have a lot of savings and are one job loss or one medical diagnosis away from needing outside help. That’s why this month, WINK News is holding our March to a Million Meals to raise money for the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Anchor Lois Thome spoke with […]

South Fort Myers golf tournament raises money for the Harry Chapin Food Bank

An ace in the hole for the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Nearly 100 golfers hit the course on Tuesday with one goal in mind; help their neighbor in need. On Tuesday, WINK News Anchor Lois Thome was with the Cross Creek Ladies 9-hole League at the Cross Creek Golf and Country club in south Fort […]

Volunteers help families who can’t make it to a food pantry

When you go to one of Harry Chapin Food Bank’s mobile pantries, you’ll always find two things – people who need help, and people willing to help. People like Mark, who we met at the Boys and Girls Club in Naples. 
And gary, who was waiting in line outside Sacred Heart Church in Punta Gorda. […]

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March to a Million Meals: What’s inside a Harry Chapin Food Bank meal kit?

Throughout the month of February, WINK News is marching toward the month of March with a goal of helping provide one million meals to Southwest Floridians. The Harry Chapin Food Bank mobile pantries distribute fresh produce, canned and dry goods, frozen meat, bread, grains, and other food. Please join us throughout the month of February […]

WINK News kicks off March to a Million Meals to help feed SWFL

We’re on the March, and we want you along every step of the way. WINK News anchor Lois Thome has been reporting on the difficult times during the pandemic, none more important than hunger. So WINK News is marching toward feeding a million people by March 1st. Please join us throughout the month of February […]

Copperleaf residents walk to raise $80K for Harry Chapin Food Bank

Some people in Southwest Florida need help to feed their families because of the ongoing pandemic. As many as 25 to 30% more people are turning to food pantries to make ends meet right now. So this weekend, one community stepped up to help their neighbors in need. The temperatures in Estero were cold, but […]

National Alliance on Mental Illness provides resources for understanding mental illness

One in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness. One in 20 experiences a severe mental illness. For children, it’s 17%, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. That organization has a resource to help provide hope and understanding to people struggling and their friends and families. Mental health conditions are not one […]

Ex-wife of DC Sniper talks about domestic abuse before shooting rampage

Domestic violence can impact anyone, at any age, and under a variety of circumstances. Mildred Muhammad is the ex-wife of the D.C. Sniper. She said her husband went on a deadly, three-week rampage as practice, and she was the real target. Mildred’s scars weren’t physical; rather, emotional ones that ran deep. “I didn’t move past […]