Professional Experience

1992 to present: Anchor, WINK News.

Awards & Recognition

I've been honored with much recognition, including the "Best News Anchor" in Southwest Florida, the Phi Delta Kappa Lay Person of the Year, the Quill Pen Award from the Florida Association of School Administrators, a "Woman in History" from the American Business Women's Association, the Library Advocate of the Year by the Southwest Florida Library Network and was voted one of the top Women of the Year by Gulf Shore Life Magazine.

News Philosophy

A news organization plays a very important role in society, providing vital information in times of emergency and keeping a close watch on the powerful while, at all times, being fair and accurate.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Service

For more than 15 years I've volunteered as a committee member for the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, helped raise millions of dollars worth of food for the Harry Chapin Food Bank, served on the local board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and volunteered in area schools by reading to children and mentoring students.

Education

University of Wisconsin.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

There are so many things to love about Southwest Florida. The people, the beaches the sunsets. But if I had to chose one, it would be the weather. We are the envy of much of the country, most of the year, and that's pretty special.

Hometown

St. Anna, Wis.

Family

Husband, John; son, Nicholas; daughter, Isabella.

The toll the pandemic has taken on children’s mental health

September is designated as National Suicide Prevention Month and 18 months into the pandemic, it is extremely important to acknowledge. Not only do kids already have to battle classic problems such as the nerves and hormones their bodies are experiencing and where and how they fit in, but now there’s a global pandemic. It has […]

foodborne illness

Cases of foodborne illness rise across the country

Several states, including Florida, are experiencing a spike in Cyclospora, which is a foodborne illness. Cases of Cyclospora nearly doubled in a 14-day period. Amy Cornell lives in the Gainsville area but spends a fair amount in south Fort Myers. But, lately, she’s been spending a lot of time in the bathroom. “So in mid-June, […]

Program works to expand math learning for young kids

Studies suggest early math skills are a better predictor of academic success than early reading skills. But in a typical five-hour pre-school day, less than a minute is spent on math learning, so some programs are working to fix that for kids. School psychologist Ben Clarke says the key to math success is learning basic […]

Hospitals see increase in respiratory virus that targets children and older people

While much of Florida has been unmasked for some time, there’s one side effect that’s hitting older people and children. Hospitals have seen an increase in cases of RSV or respiratory syncytial virus. The pandemic hasn’t ended but people have certainly lowered their guard. “It’s a very tricky virus,” said Dr. Salomon Abitbol with Golisano […]

human trafficking bill

Florida House passes bill aimed at helping human trafficking survivors

The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill to empower and better protect victims of human trafficking. The trauma and scars for survivors of human trafficking are unimaginable. But now help is on the way for survivors like Savannah Parvu who WINK News first introduced you to in December. “I started being sexually abused by […]

Harry Chapin Food Bank: Thank you for your donations

While you think about what’s on the menu for dinner, many families wonder where their next meal will come from. Food insecurity is a challenge that exists in in Southwest Florida, and with your help, we’re responding to it. Community members have helped WINK Feeds Families March to a Million Meals reach its $400,000 goal, […]

WINK Feeds Families: Team up with us in our March to a Million Meals

Southwest Florida is marching to feed a growing need in our community. WINK News is teaming up with the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida for our march to a million meals. We are one-quarter of the way there with more than $100,000 raised for our $400,000 goal. The ultimate goal is to feed […]

State works to fight human traffickers drawn to Super Bowl, rescue victims

The big game in Tampa Bay is just three days away. The stadium’s decked out and the community’s ready to play ball. But there’s a darker side to the game, operating in the shadows. “This is a challenging time for law enforcement, especially in the fight against human trafficking,” said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. […]

Food costs soar by $963K during pandemic for Harry Chapin to feed SWFL’s hungry

The pandemic has had a dramatic effect on how the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida operates. Because of the pandemic, more people are in need of food, and that’s why WINK is teaming up with Harry Chapin this month for the “March to a Million Meals“. Before the pandemic, most of its food […]