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

 

Study: Southwest Florida at high risk for more coronavirus spread

New research out of the University of Texas at Austin looks at the potential spread of the coronavirus through every single county in the U.S., and the data found that here in Southwest Florida, we’re as high risk as you can get. While that may seem ominous, researchers said it actually means we’re probably doing […]

DOH Collier warns if social distancing doesn’t continue, the peak will be worse

What we do right now during the coronavirus pandemic, will have serious impacts for everyone. That’s the warning from Kristine Hollingsworth with the Florida Department of Health Collier County. She says, “We know people are getting bored, but this is the most crucial time for us to maintain that stay at home order.” As it […]

Dog. (Credit: CBS News)

Can my pet get coronavirus? Can they spread it? Here’s what you need to know

Having pets at home can take some of the loneliness out of self-isolating, but to keep our furry friends safe too, those social distancing orders need to apply to every member in the household. Brian Wierima, community relations coordinator at Gulf Coast Humane Society, said his dogs are helping him cope with the coronavirus. “I […]

CDC may reconsider advising people not to wear masks in public

Don’t wear a mask in public if you’re not sick. That’s the advice we’ve been hearing from top health officials for months, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be reconsidering it. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said masks can help us turn the tide in […]

Packed hospitals look to free up space for COVID-19 patients

Hospitals across the country are jam-packed, looking to make space and free up beds for a new surge of COVID-19 patients. But how can they continue to treat patients with other health emergencies? Lawmakers across the country are asking long-term facilities to step up, but there may be some risks. Kristen Knapp, with the Florida […]

Fla. lawmakers push for faster COVID-19 test results

A delay in the reporting of positive COVID-19 cases could mean more people have been exposed and don’t even know it. The need for faster test results is top of mind for Florida lawmakers, from the top down. “Here’s the thing: I want everybody’s test expedited. I would love to have a 24-hour turnaround,” said […]

What should you do if your child catches the coronavirus?

Families across Southwest Florida have questions about COVID-19 and what to do if it hits their homes. Julie Christian’s three kids and her husband are all staying home, but she says she doesn’t mind if it keeps people safe. “We just don’t want to be out and about spreading our germs, so we feel like […]