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 community members rally to bring detained teen back to Connecticut
Support continues to grow for a high school senior who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, just days before his graduation. The student missed the ceremony last night, but his classmates aren’t letting that stop them from showing their support. Fellow classmates, priests, community members and even teachers from Maloney High School marched two miles...
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Middletown's speed cameras are now in operation
Middletown just became the first city in the state to install speed cameras, and more are on the way. Driving down Washington Street in Middletown, a sign that reads “Speed Limit Photo Enforced” might catch your eye. “There are people who speed here constantly,” said one driver. The city’s first speed camera system is by George Street, where a...
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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...
