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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Middlebury animal rescue temporarily waives adoption fees
Animal rescues are struggling statewide, with too many animals coming in and not enough people adopting. In Middlebury, Brass City Rescue Alliance is waiving adoption fees until Nov. 10, with the goal to incentivize more people to consider adopting. “It’s been a long time, nobody’s coming in, there’s no interest,” Lauren Tucker, a volunteer at Brass City Rescue Alliance,...
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Crews work to extinguish brush fire in Oxford
Crews are keeping an eye out on multiple brush fires in the state, including one at Seymour Reservoir #4 in the Naugatuck State Forest. “We’ve been pumping water on it all afternoon,” said Oxford Fire Chief Scott Pelletier. He says they arrived around 1 in the morning, left around 6:30 in the morning, and returned shortly after, when the fire…
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Almost 400 years of Hartford history on display at the Old State House
Calling all history buffs! You have the chance to take in almost 400 years of Hartford’s history right downtown in the capitol city. People are encouraged to take a walk and browse the new exhibit outside Connecticut’s Old State House, titled “389 Years in 389 Steps.” From witch trials in the 1600s to Whaler Mania in the 1980s, Hartford’s history…
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UConn looking to address low enrollment for 70 majors
The University of Connecticut is reviewing enrollment numbers for 70 programs, causing concern for the professors who teach them. UConn says they are not directing programs to end or end majors, but they are asking educators for ideas on how to address programs with low enrollment. “The majority of classes I’ve taken at UConn have been 20 people or less,”…
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Pride organization calls on North Haven schools to do more to support LGBTQ+ community
The organization North Haven Pride is calling on North Haven Public Schools to show more support for the LGBTQ+ community. It comes after a public comment session surrounding a gender non-conforming substitute teacher during a Board of Education meeting last week. A non-binary substitute teacher and a cisgender educator allegedly used the children’s restroom at Green Acres Elementary School...
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Former Hartford police officer seeks criminal protection order against 2018 attacker
Former Hartford police officer Jill Kidik was in court Thursday asking for a criminal protection order against the woman who attacked her on the job. In 2018, Chevoughn Augustin stabbed Kidik in the throat, striking her trachea, while she was responding to a routine call. Augustin was found not guilty by reason of mental disease in 2021. Once that was…
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Hikers encouraged to enjoy Connecticut parks and be safe while doing so
Fall foliage season is upon us. It’s a time many consider the perfect time of year to take in all Connecticut has to offer. “It’s like the best day of the year,” said Terry Reinhardt, of Bristol. He’s taking his kayak out in Satan’s Kingdom State Park in New Hartford. “It seems to have all of a sudden picked...
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New Britian schools considering metal detectors in buildings
New Britain school leaders and community members are gathering at New Britain High School for a conversation about metal detectors in schools. Tonight’s meeting is for the broader community to share their thoughts on putting metal and weapon detectors in schools. Right now, it’s something the New Britain Board of Education says they’re exploring, with no decisions made yet. We...
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Connecticut residents encouraged to get seasonal and routine vaccines
Now that it’s autumn, many will be dodging illnesses like COVID, Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and other colds. Health officials in Connecticut say vaccines are vital this year, encouraging people to get boosted against COVID, the flu, and RSV if you’re over the age of 75 or pregnant. It’s the time of year — we all know too...
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Hundreds get flu shot at free clinic in Farmington
Hundreds of people rolled up their sleeves today to get a free flu shot in Farmington. For the 7th year, NBC and Telemundo Connecticut teamed up with ProHealth Physicians for a free, drive-thru flu shot clinic. The clinic started at 10 this morning, but people started lining up as early as eight in the morning to get their shots. “I…
