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

 

Don’t put away that mask – it could help with blue-green algae effects

You may be fully vaccinated, but don’t throw away those masks quite yet. Researchers say you should save them for algal bloom season. The COVID-19 pandemic set back research on blue-green algae, but one scientist said that in a small way, the pandemic also prepared us for the toxic blooms. “It’s starting to heat up, […]

Study uses fruit flies to show effects of toxic algae

Algal blooms have already begun popping up in Southwest Florida. New research is shedding light on how these algae toxins can impact your health. In doing so, scientists exposed fruit flies to aerosolized forms of toxins. They found that one particular set of flies was impacted more than the rest. Each of the flies were […]

SWFL woman needs COVID-19 vaccine but has allergy

Not everyone wants the COVID-19 vaccine, but some people don’t even have the option. They simply can’t get it. For Linda Myers, time with her mother is everything, but right now, it’s limited. “I did meet the ambulance out front before she went in. And I gave her her earrings that had to be taken […]

Climate change impacting health care to the tune of $820B a year

Climate change is not just affecting the Earth and our air, it’s now affecting health care. A new report finds the financial impact tops $820 billion in health costs each year, and it could cost all of us more in the future. Sniffling, sneezing, asthma and allergies. Dr. Renee Salas, an emergency medical physician at […]

COVID VACCINE

Local health care leaders answer vaccine questions, encourage more people to get vaccinated

COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths have declined since vaccinations began yet people some are still hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. So, local health care leaders are answering questions and encouraging people to get vaccinated. The questions being asked range from reactions to ‘how can they be safe when they were created so quickly?’ But, […]

Vaccine is safe for children, pediatrician says

Parents are concerned over whether their children should get the coronavirus vaccine. One claim holding them back is that it could affect fertility. It’s a concern pediatricians across the county are hearing over and over. Will the vaccine impact children’s fertility. The answer is no. Lee Health Pediatrician Dr. Piedade Silva said the belief that […]

Younger people may take more time to mentally recover from pandemic

COVID-19 has affected all of us in different ways, whether it’s physically or mentally, but one younger generation may have an even harder time dealing with the effects of the pandemic. Experts who spoke with WINK News say how long it takes young people to bounce back might depend on their age. “When you don’t […]

Married couple doesn’t let Huntington’s Disease stop them from living

Watching a loved one battle a medical condition is never easy. One called Huntington’s Disease is taking a big toll on families. It starts with mood swings and personality changes but it gets worse. Soon, people can’t swallow, walk or talk. Michael Dreikorn says, even if you get this, you should not give up on […]

Is the ‘Lower Drug Costs Now Act’ a spoon full of sugar to help costs go down?

For some, it means making a tough choice between paying the bills, or, even staying healthy. The cost of prescription drugs is skyrocketing every year, and now, one Florida lawmaker has introduced a bill to help. The idea is to cut drug prices and cap out-of-pocket costs for senior citizens. Janice Poirier is retired and […]

For some COVID-19 long-haulers, the vaccine has helped

People of all ages continue to suffer from “Long COVID.” As of now, there’s no official treatment, but one man found something that helps. Dr. Sanjeev Maniar has wanted to help people all of his life. “I was born and brought up in India. And I saw so many family members, they had a health […]