Melissa Cooney
Multimedia Journalist
Burlington, Vermont
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Melissa Cooney joined WCAX in June 2021 as a weeknight and weekend multimedia journalist. She is a recent graduate of Wake Forest University, where she received a B.A. in Communication Media Studies and minored in both Journalism and Studio Art. While this is her first job, she spent a semester interning at WXII in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a summer interning at "Late Night with Seth Meyers" in New York City.
In her free time, she loves to paint, read, watch TikToks, run and ski! She is thrilled to be a part of this amazing team and loves Burlington so much already.
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Close to 12,000 educators can visit Vermont State Parks for free this summer.
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The class of 2022 is the first to graduate that started under the Northern Vermont University name.
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Saturday was Planned Parenthood’s “Day of Action” and millions of Americans participated in “Bans off our Bodies” rallies across the country.
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Record gasoline prices in Vermont and around the country are giving drivers a shock to the system. GasBuddy Tuesday reported that the country hit a new gas price record, averaging $4.36 a gallon, but the majority of Vermonters are paying much more right now.
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After decades in the works, the city of Burlington has the go-ahead to begin construction of the Champlain Parkway in late June. But a group of longtime opponents says they’ll go to federal court next week in a last-ditch effort to throw up a roadblock.
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A Vermont man pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to murder and attempted murder charges.
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Starbucks recently announced the possibility of raises for employees but those could be in jeopardy for workers who have unionized or are in the process of doing so.
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A bill aimed at prohibiting a public school from having a mascot that refers to a racial group, individual, custom or tradition is waiting on the governor's desk.
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It might be warm out but the National Weather Service wants to remind you that the water is still very cold.
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May is National Foster Care Month. A Rutland-based foster and adoptive mother shares her experiences.
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This year's goal is to clean up 100 percent of your town's roads.
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Students in Vergennes organized a Social Justice Festival at their school, dedicated to hearing from voices that have historically been silenced. Our Melissa Cooney takes you there.
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People gathered in Essex Junction on Tuesday for a vigil in support of abortion rights, in the wake of a leaked draft opinion that suggests the nation's high court may overturn Roe v. Wade.
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More incentives are on the way to encourage Vermonters to make the switch to electric.
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An East Montpelier barn was destroyed by fire Monday night and two horses were lost to the flames.
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One of Vermont's largest retail centers may undergo a major transformation. Our Melissa Cooney reports on what's behind plans to add housing, bike lanes and more at Taft Corners in Williston.
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Some 300 prom dresses are up for grabs for prom-goers in Barre.
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Protesters say they want Hannaford’s to learn the conditions of farmworkers and for the supermarket to join the milk with dignity program.
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Hundreds flocked to downtown Burlington Saturday for the Burlington Vintage Market spring show.
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UVM environmental health social scientist says when pharmacuticals enter waterways they begin to change the dynamics of the ecosystem.
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There’s no better time to be a job seeker in Vermont. The Department of Labor this week said a record number of employment opportunities are available. Our Melissa Cooney reports on how the seasonal summer job market shaping up.
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New data shows the extent of Vermont’s largesse when it comes to funding education compared to other states.
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Burlington's Church Street Marketplace has been voted the nation's Best Public Square by USA Today readers.
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Vermonters in the market for a new job may find that the state's largest career fair is a great place to start.
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Local bicycle experts share some important safety tips to enjoy spring days on wheels.
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Revitalizing Waterbury, a local organization, is sprucing up the alleyway next to the Stowe Street Emporium.
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Whether you want to get in the water for fitness or for fun now’s the time to take the leap.
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Hundreds of Vermonters gathered Saturday to remember Fern Feather, 29, of Hinesburg, who police say was brutally murdered earlier this week.
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Due to evolving COVID-19 restrictions, studying abroad hasn’t been possible or desirable for some college students since the pandemic started. Channel Three's Melissa Cooney talk with students and schools who are seeking a peek in interest.
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The state’s homeless hotel program was expanded two years ago to help contain COVID, but local authorities say they don’t have the resources to support some of the social problems the program has spawned.
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Two students will be representing Vermont at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Georgia next month.
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Middlebury College hopes a $1.5 million land buy will help ease the burden of finding affordable housing in the area. Our Melissa Cooney has more on the plan and who it could help.
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For the first time in two years, the Middlebury College Museum of Art will open its doors to the public.
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Anglers are taking advantage of the earlier date set by new Fish and Wildlife regulations.
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The Woodstock farm is celebrating spring and the birth of many animals like chicks, ducklings, lambs, and kits.
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The Vermont Institute of Natural Science partnered up with a Landmark College biology class to identify the sex of raptors in rehabilitation.
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A bill in the Vermont Legislature could make it harder for towns to pull out of union school districts. Our Melissa Cooney explains what's behind this legislation.
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The Burlington School Board and the public Tuesday night are getting their first look at options for a new high school.
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Congress will be looking at a bill that could replenish pandemic relief money for restaurants and performing arts venues. Our Melissa Cooney reports on who would qualify.
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Students in South Burlington packed hundreds of bags with essentials for refugee children.
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Groton is home to five out of the seven state parks in the Groton State Forest, and now the town is looking to upgrade its town-owned trails.
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Take a stroll, connect with a local physician and learn about a current health topic. That’s the concept behind ‘Walk with a Doc.’
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Middle and high school teams put on their game faces and compete for awards focused on teamwork, cooking local, and pleasing the crowd.
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A Ukrainian exchange student in Middlebury has endured the past horrifying month watching the invasion of her homeland from over 4,000 miles away while also making a mark in her adopted community.
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Lyndon Institute is expanding its dual enrollment program to allow participating students to graduate with a high school degree and an associate degree from Northern Vermont Unversity, at no additional cost to the student.
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More than 300 Vermonters reported scams with financial loss to the attorney general's office just last year. More than half of those reports came from Vermonters over 50. Our Melissa Cooney learned more about the impact of scams on Vermont seniors.
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The Ethan Allen Express launches in the Queen City this summer.
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Consignment stores begin to see an uptick in traffic as Vermonters clean their closets.
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Vermonters must pass the hunter education course before they can purchase their first hunting license.