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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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…
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Same-day hybrid primary care clinic opens in Hartford
Another healthcare option for Hartford residents is now available to patients. Hartford Healthcare says 70-percent of emergency department visits to Hartford Hospital this year could have been seen at an alternative care site. That’s why Hartford Healthcare is launching the CareNow Same-Day Clinic. “That’ll help our wait times in the main E.D. for patients who are sicker and overall...
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Organization aims to increase employment for people with intellectual disabilities
A statewide initiative kicked off Tuesday to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) get jobs. The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services/Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and other local organizations are partnering to create AllWorkCT. It aims to give more employers the opportunity to connect with people with IDD. It’s a combination of in person and virtual...
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Meriden community rallying around family of 1-year-old killed in Berlin crash
People in the Meriden community are rallying around the family of 1-year-old Ella Salgado, who was killed in a car crash on the Berlin Turnpike on Saturday. One restaurant, Moose’s Burgers in Meriden, is kicking off a fundraiser for the month to help the family. “It’s a reminder that we need to be precautious sometimes when the light turns...
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Conn. National Guard deploys to NC; residents reflect on Helene's impact
The Connecticut National Guard have been tapped to help in storm Helene recovery efforts. Soldiers are on their way to North Carolina in a CH-47 helicopter. The National Guard says they’ll be there for one week. “Moving personnel around disaster area, if the need arises, as well as moving around commodities like food water supplies things of that nature,” said...
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Police investigating money stolen from Torrington church
Torrington Police are investigating a larceny report at St. Maron Catholic Church. The church says at least $500 to $1,000 dollars of donations from the weekend’s services is missing. St. Maron Catholic Church’s priest, Rev. Fadi Khawand, says they went to count the collections Tuesday and realized all the money was gone. “This is my first reaction, ‘why’?”, Rev....
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Norwich Public Schools begins enforcing years-old walking to school policy
Some students in Norwich no longer get a bus to school, so they need to get a ride or walk up to 1.5 miles. That’s because a policy is being enforced this year that does not provide students within a 1.5-mile radius of Norwich Free Academy a bus. The policy, which formally indicates people within a two-mile distance don’t...
