Professional Experience

  • WSPA, Spartanburg, SC — Video Editor, June 2006 - June 2007
  • WTWO/WAWV, Terre Haute, IN — Production Specialist, Sept. 2011 - July 2012
  • KTVL, Medford, OR — News Producer, August 2012 - August 2013
  • KMID, Midland, TX — News Producer, Feb. 2014 - Feb. 2015
  • WSLS, Roanoke, VA — News Producer, March 2015 - Sept. 2016
  • O&O FOX News, D.C. Bureau — Freelance Producer, 2017
  • KVLY, Fargo, ND — Multimedia Journalist, Dec. 2017 - Dec. 2019
  • WINK, Fort Myers, FL - Health and Medical Multimedia Journalist, Jan. 2020 - Present

News Philosophy

The more you know about your community, the stronger and healthier it can become! That’s why I believe in local news - energizing and empowering a community is valuable. It can lead to meaningful change and a deeper understanding of your neighbors (allowing you to help them overcome the challenges they face, and share in their successes).

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Let’s lace up those sneakers, throw on some sunscreen, and get outside! Whether it’s hitting the pavement for a jog, strapping on a helmet and biking a new trail, or strolling through southwest Florida’s great outdoors - that’s where I want to be. Another interest? Cats! Don't ask me about mine unless you're prepared for a lengthy slideshow.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications at The University of North Carolina - Asheville

Master’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Maryland - College Park

Likes best about Southwest Florida

I am blown away by all of the unique creatures and beautiful plants!

Hometown

Gaithersburg, MD

 

New CDC guidance says main transmission of COVID-19 is not through touching surfaces

Doorknobs, countertops and light switches are all high touch surfaces thought to be dangerous because of how they could help spread the coronavirus. But now, “We know it spreads easily between people, so the other routes of transmission that we’ve been talking about is from touching surfaces,” says Dr. Bindu Mayi, professor of microbiology at […]

Port Charlotte facility first in SWFL with wing dedicated to COVID-19 patients

Not everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 needs to stay in the hospital, but when a patient lives in a shared space, like a nursing home, sending them home to recover can get complicated. One Southwest Florida facility is stepping up to protect some of the most vulnerable. “These are challenging times. With that said, […]

Pandemic fallout: Science and research projects may end up years behind

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it shut down schools, cities, and beaches – even entire industries. Now, as things are reopening, researchers say it could take years for the scientific community to bounce back. Two weeks after giving birth, Wakisha Stewart had a heart attack. “My artery tore, and I had to go in and […]

Increase in state COVID-19 testing sites also increase turnaround times for results

Hundreds of cars lined up at CenturyLink Sports Complex to get tested for COVID-19 over the past two weeks. Right now, many people are asking, what’s the point of getting tested if you don’t get the results back quickly? When the state COVID-19 testing site first opened up earlier this month, long lines of cars […]

Alzheimer's disease illustration. (Credit: MGN)

New research offers hope to those affected by Alzheimer’s

New research could give families the gift of time when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. Doctors diagnosed David Sprenkel’s wife Nancy with Alzheimer’s 25 years ago, but thanks to scientific advancements and new medications at the time, the disease was slowed, he said. “I had 20 or 25 years more of a better life together […]

DeSantis searches for path forward to ‘reopen’ nursing homes, long-term care facilities

With COVID-19 cases and deaths increasing in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke with health care officials about the issue Wednesday. DeSantis wants to figure out a way to allow visitors into facilities where most residents haven’t seen family members for two months. Tim Ficker is the executive director of […]

As elective surgeries return, patients remain wary, slow to return

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of elective surgeries, it left patients with certain medical conditions in a lurch and unable to get the surgeries they needed. But now, as the state reopens, those surgeries are being scheduled again health care leaders say they’re following new procedures to keep everyone safe. From knee and […]

Experts say COVID-19 symptoms can vary greatly, more than initially thought

From fever and shortness of breath to losing your sense of taste and smell. The list of COVID-19’s symptoms keeps growing. The pandemic started off with a shortlist of symptoms with most patients coming in with a cough, body aches, fevers, occasional sore throat. Later, doctors added losing the ability to smell and taste along […]

The need is great for blood in Southwest Florida amid pandemic

Across the country, COVID-19 fears have created a crisis when it comes to our blood supply. Thousands of blood drives have been canceled, and some donors have been afraid to come out, but Friday, the Greater Naples YMCA hosted a blood drive. Organizers say there was a good turnout from people supporting their community. David […]