Melissa Cooney joined NBC Connecticut in July 2024 as a weekday dayside reporter.
She began her career at WCAX in Burlington, Vermont, where she covered the education beat on topics such as developments in the state surrounding standardized testing, restraint and seclusion, school safety, and COVID-19.
Melissa has also covered severe weather, including the historic July 2023 flooding that tore through Vermont and was on site to cover the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine.
Melissa is originally from Long Island, New York, and is a proud alumna of Wake Forest University. She holds a B.A. in communication media studies and has a strong foundation in journalism and studio art. Her academic background has equipped her with the skills and knowledge to excel in her reporting career.
She is thrilled to be in Connecticut and is eager to explore the state while indulging in her love for running and skiing.
The Latest
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Durham parents concerned by Connecticut school threats
Regional School District 13 said police have charged two students for making threats against the Strong Middle School community in Durham over the weekend and Monday. In a statement to families, superintendent Doug Schuch said one threat was made by a student over the weekend who did not attend school Monday or Tuesday. He said the student is facing criminal…
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Connecticut adult sex trafficking cases likely underreported
The indictment of hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs alleges he manipulated women to participate in sexual activity, even using narcotics and other tactics to control them. Sex trafficking happens all over the country — including here in Connecticut. “Our cultural narrative is that it’s happening somewhere else, but the reality is that it’s happening in Connecticut,” Amy Hayashida of...
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Connecticut dance community remembers Michaela DePrince
Trailblazing ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince died at age 29 on Friday in New York City. She was born as an orphan in Sierra Leone during a time of war and turmoil. She was adopted by Americans when she was four years old. DePrince became a well-respected and well-known ballerina with many principal roles and celebrity projects. Most recently, she was…
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Waterbury looks to turn closed church into community health center
There is $5 million worth of federal funding going to Waterbury to turn an old church into a community health center. This chunk of funding is what officials say is the first step in making this plan a reality, which is just now beginning. “I think that would definitely turn things around for this neighborhood,” Charlene Edmond, of Waterbury, said….
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Billie Jean King speaks to senior residents in Darien
Legendary tennis great and activist Billie Jean King made a stop in Connecticut today. More than 50 years ago, the U.S. Open became the first tennis tournament to give equal prize money to men and women, and Billie Jean King was at the forefront of that change. Her advocacy has a continuous and lasting impact on many. “She means a…
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CT farmer travels by tractor, seeking more federal and state help for small farms
One small farmer is rallying his community and seeking more federal and state support for small agriculture. So, if you see a tractor on the road this week, it belongs to William Dellacamera of Cecarelli’s Harrison Hill Farm. “Small famers like myself are the backbone of America and we aren’t getting what we need for support,” Dellacamera said. He’s...
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At least four Connecticut farms impacted by August hailstorm
One quick bout of August hail is making a lasting impression in some parts of Connecticut. Gouveia Vineyards in Wallingford is cancelling their Annual Harvest event because marble-sized hail wrecked the canopy and soiled grapes on the vines. “When they start to rot the birds and bugs and everything they come for dinner,” Jim Gatcomb of Gouveia Vineyards said. Gatcomb…
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Mold remediation and repair underway at high school in New Haven
The library at Wilbur Cross High School will be closed for the next handful of days as mold cleanup continues. Educators we spoke with say they’re concerned this is the tip of the iceberg. “We’re the largest inner city school for New Haven for high school and we’ve been putting up with this state of affairs for years,” said...
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New Haven secures funding to make Chapel Street safer for pedestrians and bikers
Major upgrades are on the way to New Haven’s bustling Chapel Street. “A lot of disregard of people who ride bikes – I know a lot of people get hit here often,” Blu, a New Haven resident, said. “It depends on the time of day. Lesser traffic means it’s more safe for the pedestrians,” said Marcus, another New Haven...
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Drivers urged to be mindful of school zones and stopped buses
It is always important to drive with care, but it’s especially important now that school is back in session. “The speeding is just nuts,” Debra Boucher, of Enfield, said. She lives near a school and said she’s witnessed careless driving on busy roads and backroads alike. She and others we spoke with tell us they worry about their loved...
