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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Great Wolf Lodge opens at Foxwoods
Family fun long in the making is now open to the public because The Great Wolf Lodge in Mashantucket is officially in business. Whether you’re climbing high, or splashing down a water slide, Mashantucket is packed as families flock to Foxwoods to celebrate the Great Wolf Lodge’s opening day. “I really like the ropes course, I was scared at...
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Initiative underway to determine how CT road lines can be improved, more visible
The Connecticut Transportation Institute (CTI) said road line visibility is a topic more drivers are noticing compared to years past, although they say no one is exactly sure what’s causing this uptick in complaints. The CTI and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) are looking to get to the bottom of it. It depends on the weather,” Francisco Ramalho, of Naugatuck, said. “It’s actually...
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Connecticut families navigate increasing grocery prices
Connecticut families tell us they are feeling the strain of high prices. We spoke with some savvy shoppers who have some tips to save wherever possible. “We use what we have,” Keisha Taylor-Davis, of New Haven, said. Taylor-Davis may as well be a grocery shopping expert. She works diligently to navigate skyrocketing prices to feed her family. “It’s the...
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First responders, fallen firefighter honored for service during busy fire season
A total of 605 wildfires popped up in Connecticut in 2024, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and one firefighter lost his life in the line of duty. It was a busy fall for first responders, and state officials say that over 200 of those brush fires alone were in October and November. The Hawthorne Fire…
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Waterbury police warn residents to be aware of rim theft
There’s an uptick of wheel rim theft in Waterbury, and police say thieves are getting more sophisticated in how they strike. Wheel locks have long been the standard to prevent any theft, but now police say thieves are going as far as breaking into cars and stealing wheel lock keys, too. They’re encouraging people to take extra precautions to...
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CT officials reiterate that Real ID appointments can only be done in person
A week from today, you’ll need that little gold star in the corner of your identification to fly domestic without any issues. Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) appointments for getting your Real ID could vary every time you check the website. We checked multiple times. Sometimes, appointments for some locations would pop up for Wednesday, and then would get...
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Norwich Diocese welcomes new bishop; settlement resolution gets closer
Celebration is underway as the Norwich Diocese welcomes a new bishop. It’s a transition that doesn’t happen often. People got to the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich hours ahead of the Installation Mass, saying they hope Bishop Richard Reidy brings a fresh start to the Norwich Diocese. Reidy comes to lead Norwich from Worcester, Massachusetts. “We’ve been praying...
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Lobster roll fanatics flock to Lobster Landing for opening day
It feels like New England is defrosting, and that means it’s time for summers on the shore and lobster rolls galore. If you ask lobster roll fans how their winter was, you’ll hear one word in response…LONG! “You wait all winter for a lobster roll,” Joe Cuticelli, of Madison, said. Now, that wait is finally over. “I said ‘let’s...
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Former patient gives hope to current patients at Gaylord Hospital
It’s National Volunteer Week, highlighting the people that spend their time helping others. At Gaylord Hospital, there’s a special volunteer who was once in the same shoes as her patients. Kit Casey is a Wolcott woman who survived a traumatic brain injury and stroke in 2022 and was helped at Gaylord. For the past year, she has volunteered to...
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Portland family starting over after devastating house fire
A devastating house fire in Portland caused one family to lose everything, but they say they’re thankful they still have each other. Sarah Levesque said she is so grateful for all the support that’s pouring in to help her and her family as they process what has happened. “We have each other. Everything can be replaced,” Levesque said. Crews...
