Professional Experience

I joined the WINK News team in June 2020. I am a general assignment reporter, soaking in more than just sunshine every single day!

I started my reporting career in Panama City Beach, Florida, at WJHG/WECP. There, my love for storytelling expanded as I learned the true impact of great journalism.

Four months into my time in the Panhandle, Hurricane Michael ravaged the area, showing me the importance of local news and the crucial need for journalism after a devastating event. My reporting helped people get the resources they needed after the storm, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Given my experience covering a major storm, Hurricane Ian was like deja vu. Immediately after the storm, I knew how crucial it was to tell the stories of survival and connect people with the right resources to rebuild their lives.

The best feeling in the world is when my stories can bring a helping hand to someone in need.

My time in Southwest Florida has led me to cover various topics. From being a lead reporter on the Gabby Petitio case to covering the highly anticipated Florida elections, but not before navigating the challenges of reporting during a global pandemic.

There's a reason why I'm soaking up more than just sunshine! Every day I am lucky to learn something new about the environmental, political, and deeply personal stories of the Sunshine State.

Awards and Recognition

My work in the field led me to win a Florida Associated Press award for my coverage after Hurricane Michael.

I've emceed nearly half a dozen community staple events.

I have been written up in the Florida State University Nomadic Nole magazine for my accomplishments as a proud Seminole alumnus.

Hobbies, Interest & Community Involvement

I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes! I also have an aloe plant I’m really trying to keep alive. More than anything, I love getting outdoors and exercising with my dog Maggie Mae.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

I love just being down south! I love the warm weather, the beaches, and being near friends and family.

Naples mall closing popular carousel; ‘Miss Mary’ says goodbye

A family pastime has been shuttered at the Coastland Center Mall in Naples because of the pandemic. The carousel – and the woman who has been running it for 10 years – are saying goodbye. When Jennifer Lee goes to Coastland Center Mall, she goes to shop – and to see Mary Warder. “Mary always […]

fort myers beach

Lee County tourism expected to rebound by next spring

Flights increasing at RSW is just one sign that tourism is recovering in Lee County. Leaders say that it could be back on track by spring. When the pandemic first hit, it heavily impacted Lee County’s tourism industry. “In 32 years, we built this business up to an amazing, amazing company and in two weeks […]

AARP worries Florida’s lifting of nursing home visitor restrictions is too soon

Families are celebrating now that everyone can go inside nursing homes in the state again to see loved ones, but a group is saying that might not be the best idea. With the coronavirus numbers in Florida going back up, AARP says this could be dangerous for people in assisted living. We spoke to William […]

DeSantis announces visitation changes at long-term care facilities during roundtable in Fort Myers

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a roundtable Thursday in Fort Myers regarding long-term care facilities. He announced the state will ease restrictions even more on visitations to long-term care facilities throughout the state, including allowing children to visit their loved ones. Florida last month began allowing visitors to return to long-term care facilities, but there were […]

SWFL cases, hospitalizations due to COVID begin slight trend upward

Gov. Ron DeSantis has suggested he may change the frequency in which COVID-19 cases are reported in the state, but Wednesday afternoon, his communications director tweeted that isn’t the case. We just learned our cases in Southwest Florida are continuing to slowly climb, but the state has been under a 10% positivity rate for more […]

Early voting begins Monday, candidates make final push for Florida

Some are calling it the most important election of their lives. Monday morning, early voting gets underway. The Supervisor of Elections website in your county lists the early voting locations. There are 11 different polling locations that will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voting early is the preference for many people. “I’ve […]

Hundreds expected to take to the streets in Women’s March Fort Myers

Saturday morning, the Women’s March Fort Myers will take to the streets to represent the political party and the values that they hope will carry out for the next four years. Starting around 10 a.m., up to 200 people are expected to line the sidewalks for a “call to action demonstration.” The goal is for […]

Kyle Durham

Motorcycle crash victim searches for good Samaritan

On Sept. 22, Kyle Durham was in a pretty bad motorcycle accident. There was a stranger who stopped to check on him. Now he, and the community, are searching for that woman to thank her. Durham considers himself an experienced motorcycle rider. With all of his experience, he never expected this crash to happen. “I […]