Toi Thornton is the weekend morning anchor of NBC Connecticut News Today alongside StormTracker meteorologist Darren Sweeny.
Toi joined NBC Connecticut from WBRC FOX6 News in Birmingham, Alabama, where he worked as an anchor and reporter. Toi's career in journalism began in 2013 at WDSU in New Orleans while still in college. For the past eight years between Lafayette, Louisiana, Mobile, and Birmingham, Alabama, Toi covered a variety of breaking news stories, including the mass shooting at the Pensacola Naval Base and numerous tropical storms and hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast, including the Historic 100-year flood.
In addition to his commitment to journalism, Toi is passionate about giving back to the communities he serves by shedding light on important topics through multiple platforms, like when he hosted a mental health podcast called "Undisclosed Trauma" and collected and donated more than 1,200 ties to young men in the community through a campaign called "Tie-ing Up Alabama with Toi." Toi also serves the community through volunteer work and his involvement with nonprofits focusing on youth.
Toi is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated and the National Association of Black Journalists. He is excited to call Connecticut his new home and is eager to connect with NBC Connecticut's loyal viewers.
The Latest
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Hotel workers at The Omni New Haven Hotel strike for a second day
Friday is day two of a strike for workers at the Omni New Haven Hotel who are part of the Local 217 Unite Here Union. Starting at 5 a.m., workers picketed in front of the hotel with signs that read, “One job should be enough,” “Make them pay,” and “Respect our work.” “I like my job, again. I just want…
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Increased police presence at Ansonia Middle School Friday after off-campus incident Wednesday night
Safety concerns are top of mind for many parents, schools, and students after the shooting at a school in Georgia on Wednesday. On Friday there was an increased police presence on campus at Ansonia Middle School. Ansonia Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joseph DiBacco said the extra patrols were done as a precautionary measure to ensure students and staff are safe…
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J Restaurant and Bar closing after 54 years to make way for hospital expansion in Hartford
“One last hoorah” is how Jordan Dikegoros, the owner of J Restaurant and Bar, described Thursday as his restaurant is closing its doors after 54 years to make room for an expansion of Connecticut Children’s. A new nine-story $60 million parking garage for Connecticut Children’s, retail space, and more is being built where the property now sits, according to the…
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Waterbury Public Schools dismissed early due to humidity and heat Wednesday
Waterbury Public Schools made the difficult decision to call for an early dismissal Wednesday, the third day of school. This decision was because of the extreme heat and humidity in the forecast for Wednesday afternoon. Interim Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwartz said it was a tough choice so early in the year, however, safety is first priority. “Not the easiest decision…
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Cleanup efforts underway after flooding in Southbury
Cleanup efforts are underway in Southbury after floodwaters rushed through the area. “Devastated, just devastated. I think it’s really very sad,” Lynn Cola-Francesco, of Southbury, said. “I experienced Sandy and Irene, I lived in Fairfield and now experiencing devastation again, so I’m very sad.” While a lot of the floodwaters have receded, there is a lot of mud left...
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School supply giveaway to benefit students in Quiet Corner on Saturday
Organizers with Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group, Inc. (TEEG) are gearing up for a big giveaway Saturday. It is the TEEG Backpack and School Supplies Distribution. Organizers are hoping to alleviate some of the stress on families as they send their children back to school. Students will be able to choose items that specifically meet their needs. “So imagine like Walmart…
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People on CT shoreline brace for storms
As Debby’s remnants move north, strong winds are making their way to Connecticut’s shoreline towns. In the hours before the wind advisory was set to begin, conditions were fairly calm with mild wind and sunshine peeking from behind the gray clouds. The National Weather Service put out a wind advisory predicting winds from about 15 miles per hour to 25...
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Orange Fireman's Carnival set to kick off Thursday as temps climb
The 96th annual Orange Fireman’s Carnival kicks off Thursday evening. The carnival is an area tradition that supports the Orange Volunteer Fire Department. The carnival is always in the middle of the summer, but this year’s carnival-goers will be dealing with some heat. Feels like temperatures are expected to be between 95 and 99 degrees Thursday. The fire department is…
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Students at Hartford Boys & Girls Club get new bikes to improve physical and mental health
A group of students from the Boys & Girls Club of Hartford got some new wheels on Wednesday. However, it wasn’t the kind of wheels you might think after hearing that phrase. Several of the young people got free bikes. Each teenager got to pick out a brand-new bike and helmet from Manchester Cycle Shop. The teens who were...
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Girls Future Firefighter Camp in Bloomfield gives hands-on training
A camp designed to teach teenage girls about the values of firefighters is underway in Bloomfield. It is called the Girls Future Firefighter Camp. Organizers said they teach the young ladies to be disciplined, courageous, and team players, whether they choose firefighting as their future career or not. It is no secret that firefighting takes a lot of grit, hard…
