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

 

Fighting mosquitoes during a pandemic

While much of the country focuses on the threat of COVID-19, other health concerns are going on the backburner – like stopping mosquito-borne illnesses. Luckily, Florida is uniquely situated to handle both threats at the same time. One thing you can count on here is mosquitoes, and Robin King with the Collier County Mosquito Control […]

As employees head back to work, experts say don’t let your guard down

Across Florida, employees are heading back into work, but now is not the time to let down our guard. “Given that it seems like we’re opening, what is the best way to do this as safely as possible,” asked Joseph Liu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Management, FGCU. It’s a question Southwest Florida businesses are […]

Experts have word of caution for at-home COVID-19 antibody tests

Experts have a warning when it comes to antibody testing. Some people are going the “do-it-yourself” route and buying the tests online, but they say, buyer beware and the FDA is stepping in. Ranga Sampath, PhD, CSO, with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics says”Everybody wants to know – how can I, as an individual, […]

Florida dodges ‘huge’ COVID-19 outbreak predicted after March spring break crowds

Florida’s coronavirus surge predictions were pushed back several times until researchers determined we had already reached the peak. The state appears to have managed to dodge the huge outbreak that many predicted. Images of hundreds of spring breakers partying on Florida’s beaches caused the state to become the poster child for downplaying the spread of coronavirus […]

Walk-up COVID-19 testing site opens in Immokalee Sunday, raises questions

There’s a big push to get more people tested in Southwest Florida. Starting Sunday, people living in Immokalee can walk up and get a COVID-19 test. Organizers with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers say their community is particularly vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19. “We live overcrowded because that’s the only way to save money. […]

FGCU offers mental health counseling during coronavirus pandemic

New research predicts another growing pandemic in the United States. It’s a wave of mental health needs due to the coronavirus pandemic. And a local counseling center is stepping up to meet that need. A newly published report in the Journal of the American Medical Association says coronavirus isn’t the only health concern that’s spreading […]

Summer camps face big changes at a cost due to coronavirus

Southwest Florida is on the path to a slow reopen. That means parents going back to work will need child care, and for school-aged kids, that would normally mean summer camp. With new guidelines to keep everyone safe, it now means there are fewer openings. “I had a single mom with two younger sisters. And […]

Heart assoc. promotes healthy lifestyle through virtual cooking classes, workouts

It may be all hands on deck to deal with COVID-19 but it doesn’t mean other health problems are going away. Dr. Brian Taschner, a cardiologist with Vibrant Beat, says our risk factors for heart disease continues to grow. He says, “One of the things in Lee County, we may have more underserved patients who […]

Relief for health care workers on the way – but how soon?

Starting July 1, a new class of health care workers will be able to take on more and relieve overworked medical providers. Some people are asking – why wait? From burnout to self-quarantine mandates to catching COVID-19, Florida’s health care workers are being stretched thin. But Erica Smith, a senior attorney with the Institute for […]