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.

 

Money Monday: Making smart investments during turbulent times

Sentiment surveys, such as the American Association of Individual Investors, show some of the most pessimistic readings ever. With all of the uncertainty in the economy, should investors worry? To provide advice on investing in turbulent times, WINK News sat down with Stefan Contorno, senior vice president and partner of Touchstone Wealth Partners UBS in […]

Pet Pals: Frodo

On this week’s Pet Pals segment, WINK News anchor Taylor Petras meets another adoptable dog from the Gulf Coast Humane Society, Frodo. Super senior Frodo is looking for a quiet home to call his forever home. The 9-year-old chihuahua came to GCHS with another chihuahua who has already been adopted, so it’s time for Frodo […]

Pet Pals: Stormy

On WINK News’ weekly Pet Pals segment, anchor Taylor Petras is introduced to another adoptable dog from the Gulf Coast Humane Society, Stormy. Stormy is brand-new to the adoption floor at GCHS. The 11-year-old cattle dog mix spent his entire life in a home before being surrendered to GCHS. Stormy needs a loving home that […]

Thousands depart Cape Canaveral after Artemis 1 test launch scrubbed

The people who have traveled all the way to Cape Canaveral to get as close as possible to the Artemis 1 rocket launch were left disappointed after it was scrubbed due to hydrogen fuel leaks, bad weather and trouble cooling one of the main rocket engines. The next launch opportunity is Friday afternoon. The scheduled […]

artemis 1

Cape Coral family travels to watch Artemis 1 launch

A Cape Coral family travels to watch the launch of Artemis 1 on Monday morning. WINK News was at Space View Park across from the Kennedy Space Center. The launch isn’t expected to take off until 8:33 a.m. Monday morning but people are already claiming their spots to try to get the best view of […]

NASA planetary scientist on upcoming Artemis 1 launch

On Monday morning, NASA is set to launch into a new frontier of space exploration. Artemis 1 will be the first mission in a program that will eventually send humans back to the moon. NASA planetary scientist Sarah Noble joins WINK News anchor Taylor Petras to discuss the Artemis program and the highly anticipated launch. […]

North Fort Myers man volunteers in Kentucky, helps rebuild after floods

People in parts of eastern Kentucky have gone for weeks without power, shelter, or fresh food and water after catastrophic flooding hit the area in July. One Red Cross volunteer from North Fort Myers looking for a way to give back stepped up to help. Byron Ek, a liver transplant recipient, says 11 blood transfusions […]

Pet Pals: Sunset

On this week’s Pet Pals segment, WINK News anchor Taylor Petras meets another adoptable dog, Sunset. Sunset is a 1-year-old yellow Labrador mix who was rescued from a high-kill shelter in Louisiana when she was just a puppy. Her mom, brothers and sisters have all been adopted from Cat Tails and More, but Sunset is […]

Denny Grimes: ‘Housing crash’ making a comeback

Inman News is reporting a once-popular Google search phrase is making a strong comeback: “housing crash.” Is there a lot of fear in the market, or just increased interest in what may happen next? Here to discuss this is Denny Grimes of Denny Grimes and team at Keller Williams Realty. Watch the full video above.

Money Monday: Investor sentiment

Optimism amongst high-net-worth investors dipped to early-pandemic levels. According to the latest consumer sentiment survey by UBS, investors are concerned about the economic and market impact of inflation and the war in Ukraine. Here to provide insight on this survey is Stefan Contorno, senior vice president and partner of Touchstone Wealth Partners UBS – Bonita […]