Professional Experience

2021 - present: WINK News morning anchor
2019 - 2021: WINK News weekend anchor/reporter
2018 - 2019: WINK News reporter
Previously worked as a weekend anchor and reporter at KMIZ in Columbia, Missouri.

Awards and Recognition

2019 Suncoast Regional Emmy Award nomination for reporting on a "Bomb Squad Search at a Home in Cape Coral."
Two Heart of America Gold Awards from the Kansas City Press Club for a special report on "Surviving a Mass Shooting" and for several reports on human and sex trafficking in mid-Missouri.

News Philosophy

Be a voice for the voiceless.

Education

Ohio University, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism

Hometown

Canonsburg, PA

Hobbies and Interests & Community Involvement

I love soaking up the sun. You can find me relaxing at the beach or at the pool with a good murder mystery book. I enjoy working out and recently became a certified Les Mills Body Pump instructor. Being just a short flight away from so many beautiful countries and territories in the Caribbean, I love exploring new areas and cultures. Animals are my favorite. I am a volunteer at the Gulf Coast Humane Society and help other rescue organizations with events and fundraisers. I also volunteer with Best Buddies Southwest Florida and the Children's Advocacy Center.

Family and Pets

My husband and I are proud parents to two black cats named Isaac and Cleo.

Likes best about Southwest Florida:

The weather and beaches. We live where people vacation.

 

DeSantis extends moratorium for evictions and foreclosures until August

UPDATE: The Florida governor’s office confirms Tuesday Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended the moratorium for “Limited Extension of Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction relief” until 12:01 a.m. August 1 with the signing of Executive Order 20-159. This comes after the previous extension was set to expire July 1. See the original story below and video above.  […]

North Fort Myers marina neighbors upset dead manatee left to rot near homes

An investigation is underway Monday after a dead manatee was found rotting away near Paradise Marina in North Fort Myers. Neighbors say the aquatic mammal turned up dead more than a week ago and remains near them, as well as a foul odor. “It’s still sitting here, and it’s covered with dirt and … it […]

NY, NJ, Conn. to quarantine visitors from worse-off states, including Florida

New York, Connecticut and New Jersey will require visitors from states with high coronavirus infection rates to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, beginning Thursday, the three governors said. The order includes Florida. “We now have to make sure the rates continue to drop,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday at a video briefing […]

Foster mother helps biological mother reunify her family

June is National Reunification Month. The child welfare system works hard to get children back with their biological parents when it’s in their best interest. We learned about how a bond between two mothers made it possible for one Southwest Florida family. It was a tough start for mother Maria Jiganu and her twins Anastasia […]

Rare snake, four other reptiles stolen from zoo in Bonita Springs

Someone took five reptiles from the Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs recently. The curator noticed locks were cut, and three snakes and two tortoises were missing. One of the snakes is very rare and is considered an animal ambassador for the zoo. Everglades Wonder Gardens is offering a $1,000 reward for any information to […]

Lee Health

Lee Health CEO worries about community fatigue due to COVID-19, spike in cases

Coronavirus is putting more people in the hospital. That’s the message from Lee Health’s president and CEO, Dr. Larry Antonucci, Wednesday. He’s watching the hospital’s capacity and the community closely. We spoke to Dr. Antonucci directly about what he wants to see the community doing, as Southwest Florida continues to slowly reopen. Antonucci says there’s […]

SWFL dog owner says possible serious side effects from flea/tick medication

A Southwest Florida pet owner has a warning for others about possible side effects from a popular flea and tick medication. The local dog owner says people’s dogs could end up with lost mobility and limping. We also spoke to a veterinarian about the commonality of these side effects. Pet owner Joe Brewster says his […]