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.

 

Pet Pals: Penelope

On this week’s Pet Pals segment, WINK News anchor Taylor Petras meets another adoptable dog, Penelope. Penelope is a big lovebug looking for someone to give her lots of attention and affection. The 7-year-old terrier mix was surrendered to the Gulf Coast Humane Society a couple of months ago and her tail hasn’t stopped wagging. […]

Money Monday: July 2022 jobs report

On Friday, the Department of Labor released its latest jobs report. Here to help us interpret this report is Stefan Contorno, senior vice president and partner of Touchstone Wealth Partners UBS – Bonita Springs. Watch the full video above.

Pet Pals: Violet

On this week’s Pet Pals segment, WINK News anchor Taylor Petras meets a new adoptable dog, Violet. 11-year-old Violet is brand-new to the adoption floor at the Gulf Coast Humane Society. The 13-pound poodle mix came to GCHS from Lee County Domestic Animal Services. She may be 11, but she still has a lot of […]

Lee County students exploring careers on converted school bus

The School District of Lee County is thinking outside of the box when it comes to the futures of young students. They turned an old school bus into a career exploration lab. What do you want to be when you grow up? It is a question we ask kids often, and it can be a […]

Breaking down the Federal Open Markets Committee’s decisions

The Federal Open Markets Committee concluded its two-day meeting last week to determine the fate of the nation’s interest rates. To help interpret their decision we sat down with Stefan Contorno, senior vice president and partner of Touchstone Wealth Partners UBS – Bonita Springs. WATCH the full interview above.

Home invasion robbery investigated at Cape Coral home

Cape Coral police are investigating a home invasion robbery near Viscaya Parkway on Southeast 24th Avenue on Friday morning. Cape Coral police determined during the investigation that one man was a victim of a residential burglary while another man was a victim of aggravated battery. However, neither victim is pressing charges at this time, police […]

Denny Grimes: Is SWFL primed to pop?

Redfin, a technology-based real estate brokerage, did an analysis of the top 98 real estate markets in the U.S. It found California and Florida have the most to lose during a recession, and two Southwest Florida markets are in the top five “primed to pop.” Here to discuss this is Denny Grimes with Denny Grimes […]

Money Monday: How you can prepare for a market downturn

With the economy slowing and higher inflation, many retirees find market volatility to be their biggest challenge. For advice on what retirees can do during a market downturn is Stefan Contorno, senior vice president and partner of Touchstone Wealth Partners UBS – Bonita Springs. Watch the full video above.

Money Monday: Protecting your investments

With the stock market having one of its worst starts ever, investors are wondering what they should be doing to protect themselves for the rest of 2022. Here to give us insight on how to position your portfolio for the second half of 2022 properly is Stefan Contorno, senior vice president and partner of Touchstone […]

Pet Pals: Meeko

On this week’s Pet Pals segment, WINK News anchor Taylor Petras is introduced to another adoptable pet, Meeko. Meeko is a big furry ball of sweetness and is ready to impress some humans in his forever home with his new training! The 5-year-old mixed breed came to the Gulf Coast Humane Society from Dogs Playing […]