Amanda Pitts is a reporter for NBC Connecticut and can be seen on the weekday early evening newscasts. She joined the team in the fall of 2023.
A native of southern New England, Amanda was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, but grew up in the East Bay of Rhode Island. She has a passion for breaking news and sharing people’s stories.
She started her career in news in 2016 as an assignment desk editor for ABC6 in Providence and began on-air reporting in 2017 at Fox 40 in Binghamton, New York. In 2018, Amanda moved back to Rhode Island and worked as a reporter at ABC6 for three years and at WPRI 12 for the last two years.
During her five years in Providence, Amanda covered some of the biggest stories in the state, including the riot in downtown Providence, the Nathan Carman insurance trial, blizzards, hurricanes and tornadoes, and every aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic – from the initial lockdown to vaccine rollouts. Amanda also shed light on the issue of sexual assault in the military with an investigation into an alleged sexual assault within the Rhode Island National Guard which was a part of a station-wide Edward R. Murrow award for overall excellence.
In her spare time, Amanda likes to travel and try new restaurants, spend time with friends, family, and her cat Opie, and sing in her a cappella chorus.
The Latest
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Waterbury nursing home residents, caregivers push back against plan to close facility
Abbott Terrace Health Center is home to 180 people and employs 287 caregivers, who are newly unionized and pushing back against the closure. “It’s been stressful, overwhelming at times just trying to be as supportive as we can to the residents and do everything we can to try to keep this place from closing,” said Rebecca Zuraitis, an LPN at…
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Legislation could set new standards for sports betting
New legislation is targeting the gambling industry, specifically sports betting, which has been growing at a fast rate since being made legal in many states, including Connecticut. The SAFE Bet Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), would set federal standards for sports betting when it comes to advertising, affordability and artificial...
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Hartford church's Pride walkway vandalized with hate speech
Police in Hartford are investigating vandalism to the walkway of Immanuel Congregational Church. The walkway has been painted rainbow colors for the last three years, and the artist said nothing has ever happened before. But now, days before the city’s Pride celebration, it was defaced with a hateful slur. “Both sadness and anger,” Rev. Jay Terbush said he feels....
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Sole post office in Preston at risk of closing: owners
A contract postal unit inside a convenience store in Preston is at risk of closing, owners tell NBC Connecticut. Preston Market, which has been in business for decades, was recently purchased by business partners Don Costello and Butch Gauthier. The men said they came out of retirement to save the market, and since purchasing it in the spring, have fielded…
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Conservation agency working towards permanent fix of Jobs Pond flooding
The water on Jobs Pond has dropped more than two feet since pumps were installed over a week ago. Monday, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Portland First Selectman Ryan Curley made a visit to see the progress for themselves. The residents thanked them for their efforts in securing state and federal money for the pumps and expediting installation. “This...
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School buses in Bridgeport now have cameras, plate readers to crack down on reckless drivers
The city of Bridgeport is cracking down on reckless drivers by installing cameras and license plate readers on school buses. Back in February, the city released results from a study that stated nearly 10,000 violations were issued in a six-month period to drivers who passed school buses that were stopped with flashing lights. The city has partnered with BusPatrol to…
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Restaurant owners impacted by floods give back to one another
In the towns impacted by the devastating floods two weeks ago, business owners are coming together to support one another. The Greeks in Shelton started a trend of visiting restaurants that were hit hard by the affects of the floods last month, from damaged shops to road closures that cut off their customers. “You never know how great people are…
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Water in Jobs Pond is finally receding thanks to pumps six months later
Jobs Pond in Portland is finally getting smaller after approximately six months of rising water levels that flooded homes and displaced residents. On Saturday, multiple pumps were installed, paid for by state and federal funds. The pumps were put in on the YMCA’s Camp Ingersoll property, and run a few miles into the Connecticut River. As of Tuesday, residents...
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Volunteers spend Labor Day cleaning up in Oxford two weeks after floods
It’s been two weeks since devastating floods wreaked havoc in the Naugatuck Valley, destroying homes and businesses, and claiming two lives. Many roads and bridges were washed away, and in the last two weeks, more than 20 roads have been reopened, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. In Oxford, First Selectman George Temple said seven roads remain closed....
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Animal rescue group searches for puppies separated from nursing mother in Waterbury
An animal rescue organization is racing to find the puppies of a Pitbull found roaming a neighborhood in Waterbury. The dog was found in the area of Lincoln Street, and was likely dumped after giving birth. BARC CT, an animal advocacy and rescue organization, fears the puppies were sold. They’re now offering a cash reward for just 24 hours to…
