Professional Experience

2016 to present: Investigative reporter, WINK News. Previously worked as a producer at KPRC-TV in Houston, WKMG-TV in Orlando and WINK News.

Awards & Recognition

  • Florida Associated Press Finalist for Investigative Reporting, 2018
  • Suncoast Regional Emmy Nominee for Crime News, 2017
  • Lonestar Emmy Awards, winner for Best Investigative Story, nominee for Best Business/Consumer Story, 2016.
  • Houston Press Club, first place for TV Consumer News, 2016.
  • Texas Associated Press Broadcasters, second place for news series, 2016.
  • National Press Club Award, third place for investigative reporting, 2012.
  • IRE/NICAR, Holly Wisenhunt Stephen Fellowship recipient, 2011.
  • Suncoast Emmy Awards, winner for Crime Story, 2008. Five-time nominee, 2010 - 2014.
  • Edward R Murrow Awards, 2008 and 2009 regional winner for Investigative Reporting.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Service

Cooking, fitness, running, yoga, scrapbooking,  reading the New York Times' travel section, dreaming about places to travel and sometimes going there, watching my husband golf, taking the dog to the beach, rooting for the Steelers and Nittany Lions, and spoiling my nieces and little ‘sister’. I'm also a Big Brothers & Big Sister mentor, volunteer at PACE school for girls and WGCU's radio reading for blind and visually impaired.

Education

Penn State University

Likes best about Southwest Florida

"The people."

Birthplace

Western Pennsylvania.

Animal rights supporters want arrests at Lee County farms

The Animal Recovery Mission held a townhall style meeting at Lakes Regional Library Thursday to discuss allegations of animal abuse that were presented to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney. “We are experts on animal abuse,” said Richard Cuoto, the leader of the Miami-based organization that launches undercover investigations into animal cruelty. A […]

Homeowners learn lessons about flood insurance coverage after Hurricane Irma

In the days after Hurricane Irma that only way to get to Melissa and Justin Holland’s home in a neighborhood off Buckingham Road was by boat. Four feet of water had entered the home, destroying nearly all of their possessions. “The first thing you noticed was the smell,” said the Kindergarten teacher and mother to […]

Cancer patient forced to pay $125,000 when insurance denies coverage

Zachary Rizutto and his wife Melissa welcomed their daughter Roxanne a little less than a year ago. But just a few months after her birth, Zachary got an unexpected diagnosis. After experiencing minor blackouts, he went for an MRI and doctors located a brain tumor. A biopsy confirmed their worst fears: it was cancer. A […]

Bill aims to prevent insurance companies from asking for education, income information

A bill sponsored by a New Jersey congresswoman would potentially ban the practice of charging higher rates on insurance to people with less education. WINK News conducted a demonstration last November with a local bartender which showed that if she changed her occupation to lawyer when filling out an auto insurance quote, she could save […]

Fort Myers tech-support company accused of deception in ‘tech-trap’ investigation

Just before 10 on an otherwise typical workday in May 2017, employees on the second flood of an office complex off Metro Parkway had some unexpected visitors. The Fort Myers police department assisted federal and state authorities in a raid of the offices of Vylah Tech, a technical support company. The company’s assets were frozen […]

Private market flood insurance could save Floridians money

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced this week that flood insurance premiums through the National Flood Insurance Program would increase by about eight percent nationally. Some in the insurance industry say the private market could provide savings for Floridians. A study by Millman actuarial reported that 77 percent of Floridians could save money by purchasing […]

Testing finds chemical additive in microwave popcorn

You may be getting more than just extra buttery flavor when you pop a quick and easy snack. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) said it’s independent testing found chemical fluorine in 19 brands of microwave popcorn as a result of a food additive put in the bags. Polyfluro Alkyl Substances, PFA’s, are an FDA approved […]

Will teachers who’ve gotten violent with students get to pack heat at schools?

A fifth grade teacher in Collier County allegedly screamed “I’ll get a (expletive) gun and shoot her” at another staff member in front of deputies in a school parking lot in 2014. The teacher, who apparently lost his cool after bumping into another teacher’s car, was disciplined by the Florida Department of Education but did […]

Euthanasia drugs found in pet foods pulled from shelves

Pet food pulled from shelves because of a euthanasia drug are worrisome to owners. So how can you choose the right and safety food for your pet? Pulled from Shelves Pentobarbital is a drug that is used in animal euthanasia. It can cause drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea and in larger doses it […]