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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Meriden high schoolers show support for classmate detained by ICE ahead of graduation
A high school senior in Meriden was taken into custody by ICE last week, days before his graduation. Some of his classmates are showing their support for him and plan to do so at the ceremony on Tuesday. Mayor Kevin Scarpati said the student was attending a non-criminal immigration hearing when he was detained. The school district said any student…
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Safety officials warn drivers to not use infotainment system to stream media
Screens in your car seem to be getting bigger each new model year, and officials are warning drivers to make sure they’re not playing movies on them while they’re driving. We’re not talking about movie screens for your kids in the back, we’re talking about devices that turn the infotainment in the front into a media player where you...
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Middletown kicks off Pride Month celebrations
Pride Month is in full swing, and Middletown kicked off their celebrations on Thursday. If you’re around the city, you’ll see the Pride crosswalk donning every color of the rainbow and the Pride flag above City Hall. It’s a colorful start to June, where dozens of Middletown community members are celebrating the beginning of Pride Month. “We celebrate diversity...
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East Hartford temporarily limits number of gas stations in town
There’s no shortage of gas stations in East Hartford, so the town is temporarily capping the number at 18. That’s so they can look at the environmental impacts they have on the area and development. “If you turn any corner there’s a gas station,” said Gregory Williams, of East Hartford. It’s hard to miss the 18 gas stations that exist...
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Funeral homeowner accused of embezzling funds pleads not guilty in court
A Connecticut funeral homeowner, accused of taking money from his clients and using it for gambling, and other personal expenses, appeared in court on Tuesday. In court, Philip Pietras pleaded not guilty to the current charge of first-degree larceny, which he was arrested for in April. Vernon police confirmed to NBC Connecticut Tuesday that they are investigating more than 40…
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Remembering TFC Aaron Pelletier one year after he was killed in the line of duty
It’s been one year since Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was killed in the line of duty. It’s a loss that Connecticut State Police and communities throughout Connecticut feel to this day. “Not a day passes that I don’t think about May 30,” Geri-Lyn Dubay, of Plainville, said. On May 30, 2024, Dubay was driving on Interstate 84 when the…
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Person of interest in custody after shooting at Brass Mill Center in Waterbury
Five people have been transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds, but officials tell NBC Connecticut that there are no fatalities.
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Officials encourage Connecticut Facebook users to be on alert for scam posts
Experts are warning about a post that says an injured baby was abandoned, and another circulating right now claiming a police officer is missing. Both are deemed scams. Over 100 people in Old Lyme shared a post on Monday where the poster claims a police officer is missing. On Tuesday, those photos appear to be deleted, and the post turned into...
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Connecticut Restaurant Association seeks more funding for tourism marketing
Connecticut’s tourism season is kicking off this Memorial Day weekend, but restaurants are asking for more support from the state as the governor works on the budget. The Connecticut Restaurant Association is asking the state for $20 million committed to tourism marketing, opposed to the $4.5 million invested currently. “We’ve done an incredible job at getting people to come to...
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Fallen officers added to Connecticut Law Enforcement Memorial
Three names have joined the 152 others engraved in the Connecticut Law Enforcement Memorial. “We are honoring and remembering those who have sworn to protect the citizens of Connecticut,” said Sgt. Luke Davis, of the Connecticut State Police. Of the names added include Detective Sergeant John Bonin of the Meriden Police Department, who died in the line of duty in…
