Matt Austin is a reporter for NBC Connecticut and he's excited to return to the state where he grew up. You can catch his stories on NBC Connecticut News at 11 p.m.
Matt has covered some of the biggest stories in our state during the past few years. That included everything from major blizzards to small airplane crashes to the fallout from the Crumbling Foundations issue, which NBC CT Investigates first exposed. Matt was the first to report on two Syrian refugee girls who were bound for the U.S. and became trapped abroad during a travel ban in 2017. After the issue attracted national outrage and the attention of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, the girls and their mother were eventually allowed to start a new life in Connecticut.
Prior to joining the NBC Connecticut news team in October 2014, Matt worked at WFFF Fox 44 and WVNY ABC 22 in Burlington, Vermont. He has also reported and anchored at KFBB and KRTV in Great Falls, Montana.
When he's not reporting, Matt loves spending time outside and traveling throughout the state, from the hills to the shore. He has visited all but four states in the country and is always looking for new restaurants and places to explore.
The Latest
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Hartford Police Chief Faces ‘No Confidence' Union Vote
Amid an uptick in homicides in Hartford, police officers appear to have lost faith in their leader. A majority of officers voted no confidence in Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody.
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UConn Students, Parents Threaten Lawsuit Over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
A group of parents and students is threatening to sue the University of Connecticut unless the school drops its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. It requires most students to be fully vaccinated to be on campuses for the fall semester. On the now-quiet UConn campus in Storrs, every student we spoke with had received a COVID-19 vaccine. “Better safe than sorry. I…
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Rental Market Very Hot in Parts of Connecticut
People looking for an apartment are finding little luck in parts of the state.
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‘Bushnell South' Vision Could Transform Part of Hartford
We’re learning more about a vision to transform the area around The Bushnell in Hartford. On Wednesday, The Bushnell opened its doors for one of its first public events in a long time so people could hear more about what’s called “Bushnell South.” It’s a project that pulls together the City of Hartford, the Capitol Region Development Authority, The...
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Massachusetts Marijuana Dispensaries Expect New CT Law to Boost Sales
Since it could be awhile until retail stores open in Connecticut, some people might take a trip to buy cannabis in neighboring states. On Tuesday, NBC Connecticut traveled to Massachusetts where recreational marijuana has been legal for several years. Among those already making the drive to Massachusetts and heading to a recreational cannabis shop is Chris Beauchemin of Bristol. “Being…
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AAA Says Remember Driving Safety as State Prepares for Legalized Marijuana
AAA is raising concerns about Connecticut legalizing recreational marijuana and driving safety. A recent AAA study found crash rates jumped in states that have legalized recreational cannabis. The organization says it pushed for several traffic safety regulations to be part of the new Connecticut law including increased training for police. One of the problems is there is no simple roadside…
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Prospect Bans Recreational Cannabis Establishments
Governor Ned Lamont is expected to sign the recreational cannabis bill into law on Tuesday.
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As Big In-Person Events Return, New Haven Prepares for Festival
Crews are preparing for the start of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas on the New Haven Green on Friday. With coronavirus cases dropping and state rules being relaxed, big in-person events are starting to return. “I can’t wait. I can’t wait to hear it. I can’t wait to hear the concert,” said Linda Pancoast of New Haven....
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Wethersfield Police Chief Fights to Keep Job
Wethersfield’s police chief is on defense. The town is considering whether James Cetran should be let go after serving the community for nearly a half century. “I’m hanging in there,” said Cetran. “I never expected to be in this kind of position. But I am. So I have to go in there and face the music.” Cetran headed into...
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‘We Want Justice for Our Mom': Plea From Family of Hartford Grandmother Shot and Killed
The family of the grandmother shot and killed while cooking dinner in her apartment in Hartford last week is pleading for justice. They are hoping someone comes forward and helps catch the shooter. Days after the passing of the beloved grandmother, members of her family and others gathered for a vigil to remember Sylvia Cordova. “It’s more so shock,...
