Professional Experience

March 2021 to present: Weekend Anchor & Reporter at WINK News. Previously worked at KTWO-TV in Casper, Wyoming as a weekday morning anchor.

News Philosophy

“I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world.” -Henry R. Luce

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Walking my dog Scarlett along the water, going to the beach, traveling both in and outside of Florida.

Education

Bachelor of Arts from Texas Christian University, Bob Schieffer School of Journalism with a minor in political science - Cum Laude

Likes best about Southwest Florida

The sunshine, beaches, and endless amount of things to do!

Hometown

Palos Verdes, CA

LCEC preparing for Nicole

Southwest Florida locals are getting better equipped this time around in case the power goes out. LCEC said they are prepared for whatever Nicole brings, saying if the power does go out, restoration time won’t be as long. Hurricane Ian left thousands without power, and for some, it lasted weeks. And with Nicole headed toward […]

Hurricane Ian rebuild causing building supply shortage

People are working around the clock to rebuild the things lost during Hurricane Ian. One of the main things people are waiting for is supplies. Items like drywall and adhesive products are hard to find. Hurricane Ian did not discriminate. It wiped out homes big and small. Now, the people of Southwest Florida are looking […]

Lee County damage assessment map causing confusion

Many in Lee County, like Marty White of Fort Myers Beach, notice their properties have been marked with colored dots on a damage assessment map on the county website. “I got an orange on my property, it received seven and a half feet of water to the ground level, Michigan-built home,” White said. “There’s no […]

Gov. DeSantis and former Gov. Crist debate

Just over two weeks away from election day, Governor Ron DeSantis and Congressman Charlie Crist face off in Florida’s only Gubernatorial Debate. DeSantis is fighting for a second term against former Governor Crist who’s trying to unseat him. DeSantis blamed the inflation issues on President Biden and compared Crist’s policies to his. Crist responded by […]

Animal Refuge Center offers space to Sanibel’s CROW

As Southwest Florida’s largest no-kill shelter, the Animal Refuge Center is used to taking in cats and dogs in search of homes. But now, it’ll be welcoming creatures who are a bit wilder. After Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel-based Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife needed a temporary home and the Animal Refuge Center had the […]

Businesses in SWFL looking to recover after Ian

Shops and restaurants were severely damaged by Hurricane Ian, and one of the locations hit very badly was Fisherman’s Wharf near Fort Myers Beach. Business owners in the area are heartbroken watching all the time and energy they put into the businesses literally get washed away. We’ve seen all the damage to peoples’ homes, but […]

Englewood homes destroyed by Hurricane Ian

The Englewood community on the border of Charlotte and Sarasota counties was hit hard by Hurricane Ian as the eye of the category four storm swept through last week. Many people in the community are now without homes after the devastating winds tore them apart. WINK News was given a tour of one of those […]

bone marrow

Perfect bone marrow match needed for Charlotte County 6-year-old with leukemia

A 6-year-old desperately needs a bone marrow transplant and must get on the transplant list by the end of October to have the best chances of a healthy life. Gabriel Hooks is in a three-year battle with a rare form of leukemia with time being of the utmost essence. “He’s got a lot of energy. […]

1 person shot in Fort Myers on Monday

One person has been shot outside of a store at Palm Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard in Fort Myers Monday evening. According to a Fort Myers Police Officer, a shooting investigation is taking place at the Fort Myers scene. The shooting happened around 5:45 p.m. on Monday evening in front of a convenience store. The victim […]

Richard Ainsworth and Joanna Sine

SWFL couple once shared tea, performed for Queen Elizabeth II

As the world mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II and celebrates her life, a Southwest Florida couple is reflecting on the time they spent with her. Decades ago, and at separate times, Richard Ainsworth and Joanna Sime met the queen. Ainsworth has something in common with the queen. “I’ve always loved horses I grew […]