Professional Experience

September 2018 to present: Investigative Reporter at WINK News

Previously worked as a multimedia journalist at WCJB TV20 News, WUFT-TV and WUFT-FM in Gainesville, FL; and as an investigative intern at WPLG Local 10 News in Miami, FL

Member of National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)

Awards & Recognition

2019 Excellence in Broadcast News Award for Transportation / Traffic Series reporting, Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) – “Waiting in the Dark”

2019 NATAS Suncoast Regional Emmy Nomination for Education / Schools News reporting– “Waiting in the Dark”

2019 Young Journalist Award for Broadcast, Press Club of Southwest Florida

2019 Sunshine State Award for Multimedia Feature, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – “You Are Now Live” (2nd Place)

2019 Excellence in Innovation in TV, Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, RTDNA – “Locked Out Florida”

2018 Awards for Photo Essay & Short Hard News Feature, Florida Associated Press Broadcasters (now FABJ) College Contest

News Philosophy

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” — Ida B. Wells

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Sara is a big fan of live theater and performing arts, traveling to faraway places, volunteering, playing roller derby, Gator football, spoiling her nieces and nephews, and cuddling up next to her dog Mickey.

Education

Master’s in Mass Communication and Bachelor’s in Telecommunication News from the University of Florida

Go Gators!

Unemployment Update: Work search requirements, unlocking accounts, tax filing and more

If you or a loved one collect unemployment benefits, or has employees, the Department of Economic Opportunity has several updates you need to be aware of. Work search and work registration waiver might not be extended You may soon have to complete work registration and begin documenting your work searches on the unemployment website CONNECT. […]

Florida lawmakers want to get homeowners insurance, lawsuits under control

The Sunshine State is home to many lawsuits involving homeowners insurance, and lawmakers have a plan to get lawsuits under control. So we looked at what that could mean for insurance coverage. Insurance is designed to help protect homes. But as many people experienced after Hurricane Irma, getting claims paid to satisfaction can sometimes be […]

SWFL public defender says ‘no evidence’ info was compromised in malware attack

There is no evidence any sensitive information has been compromised in the recent malware attack on Southwest Florida’s Public Defender’s Office, said Kathy Smith of the 20th Judicial Circuit. However, Smith recommends everyone keep an eye out on their personal accounts. While systems aren’t fully back to normal yet, Smith told WINK News the cybersecurity […]

Lee County Justice center and courthouse downtown fort myers

Public defender’s office in Southwest Florida hit by ‘malware intrusion’

A malware attack has hit the 20th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office, according to Public Defender Kathleen Smith. She confirmed they’re “recovering from a malware intrusion” that started late last week. Malware is software that allows someone to illegally access and or damage a computer system. Smith told me their offices are open and operational […]

Grand jury finds no evidence of crime for investigation of 4 Fort Myers policemen

A police department mystery has been closed after four years of waiting. The Gulf Coast Police Benevolent Association says a grand jury investigation of four Fort Myers police officers placed on leave is over. Matt Sellers, the president of Gulf Coast PBA, confirmed this with us Friday. The prosecutor told the officers a grand jury […]

Florida unemployment: April 1 marks quarter change process

For those claiming unemployment benefits, Thursday, April 1 marks the quarter change process once again, and you might need to take action on your account. If you lost your job at the start of the pandemic, the quarter change turned into another frustrating roadblock many of you felt for first time in April 2020, and […]

With COVID-19 tax break, Biden removes potential roadblock to college debt relief

The tax break on college debt cancellations in the COVID-19 relief package signed last week by President Joe Biden has removed a potential roadblock to forgiving student loan debt: taxes. The provision won’t count any debt forgiven from December 31, 2020, to January 1, 2026, as income. Under one of the existing forgiveness programs (income-driven […]

Eligible unemployment claimants can apply for more money

People collecting unemployment in Florida can now apply for more money. You can get an additional $100 a week through the Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program. You must be considered a mixed earner to be eligible and be on another state or federal unemployment program; however, claimants currently collecting federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) […]