Melissa Henry
Colorado Springs
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/8774ef98-8c43-4054-a0f5-9166c3b32599.png)
While in North Carolina, she worked as the Jacksonville Bureau Chief, covering a lot of military and coastal news-- Including two hurricanes. She's excited to have made the cross-country move, trading Atlantic beaches for the front range!
Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Melissa attended her local community college for two years and joined their speech and debate team. In 2016, she received two medals at the Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Organization competition for her informative and persuasive speeches. It was through speech team that Melissa found her love for research, writing, and communicating.
She went onto Illinois State University and graduated in 2018 with a degree in Journalism.
Growing up, Melissa made several trips to Colorado to visit family, doing things from hiking a 14'er to white water rafting. She knew from a young age that she could see herself happily living here one day!
Melissa enjoys the variety of stories she has the opportunity to cover in the Pikes Peak region. Her favorite topics include health, local government, and breaking news.
When she's not at the station, Melissa enjoys going to fitness classes at the gym. A self-proclaimed "foodie", she likes to try new restaurants, cuisines, and recipes in her own kitchen along with her boyfriend, Christian.
If you have a story idea, you can email her at mhenry@kktv.com.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/23NKKTSMGVFGBMJAF5UWPZMEQ4.JPG)
An alarming trend shows water related deaths are rising on Colorado’s lakes, reservoirs, and rivers... but not all of those happen while boating.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/C3I3AMSHIJCIZFIGTZY6EFLCKY.jpg)
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers say, despite many people thinking other summer holidays would be the most popular time to go boating... Father’s Day is actually the state’s busiest boating weekend.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/52D772TFC5HD5OI7NYWGUZMM4I.jpg)
Every June 15th marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and victim advocates want people to recognize the signs of abuse to know when to make a report.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/727PS2WGQRHHZLMPRZRKMBB3CY.JPG)
The El Paso County coroner’s office released it’s annual deaths report for 2021, and a record breaking 7,000 deaths were investigated.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4JBNC2YRS5C5PMLOKUJHJV7S3Q.jpg)
A southern Colorado man says his 8 year old cousin is “a little hero” after last week’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JB4BFRRCPRARNHZANFHCAO3IKY.jpg)
Crews responding to fire near COS Airport
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5HOR7UFCJVEIFJT7AKNW7E3JPU.JPG)
The entire study can be read inside this article.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ANOEPCBS6JETDPKRCETWYGIZUQ.png)
It’s official: longtime law enforcement veteran Adrian Vasquez is the new chief of police for Colorado Springs.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/O4Q7BXRH75CNROMZBFDTFU3Q6Y.jpg)
If you’ve seen trash alongside the roads in Colorado Springs, you’re not alone.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EOJX23DPIVDNPPYTTYLEV7CQHA.jpg)
Future firefighters for the Colorado Springs Fire Department are in the midst of a five month academy, and those who graduate with this class will do so in one of the hottest and driest times of the year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DFHZJ6APFJENHM7O3XLBYEPATE.JPG)
A fire in Pueblo burned nearly 20 acres on Sunday, prompting pre-evacuations for several hours.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BXAYDI2B2BHZRCKJIE2MWKZNZY.JPG)
Colorado’s Department of Agriculture has recorded 12 cases of the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza strain in the state, including five cases in El Paso County.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ME5NEHAQ3RASBJE6THKW3KJUQQ.jpg)
A grant foundation in southern Colorado wrapped up their largest grant cycle of the year, sending out $4.5 million to non-profits in El Paso and Teller counties.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UFEVYOBB7BGOLFAQOVBSCZ26OA.jpg)
A citizen board that reviews police practices and has power to suggest changes will hear from an interim chief soon on two topics that have received news coverage recently.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QEASFRT7XNE53LFOSI4YXFJANA.jpg)
Gas prices have been hovering just below $4.00 in southern Colorado for weeks, but experts say more price raises are coming.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OHZUE5HAGVAR3AJGMXYEWXBU7U.jpg)
From her creative Halloween costumes, to the small Christmas gifts she buys the kids every year... she is well known and loved.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GZINUBI3WJEFHNKVFJP2MAGQ64.jpg)
Airfare is on the rise mainly due to demand being at --or near-- pre-pandemic levels, and more price hikes are on the horizon due to fuel costs.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VIHQ33TD3ZBWFMVM2QHXB2NWEA.JPG)
One of the latest additions to downtown Colorado Springs’ restaurant scene has a unique business model that aims to give back to the community.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RJPPKUJFIFDJ7LITEQD6MRB42E.JPG)
El Paso County commissioners approved land south of Fountain for a new renewable energy site to service Colorado Springs Utilities.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XV72ES2L6ZGNBFYUAUHCIU2HMY.jpg)
UCHealth is launching “Navigating The Seas of Covid Stress,” a three-part video series created to help parents and children better identify when stress has become an issue
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/S3GFULPH6VH4FESV6AS5DA4QQ4.jpg)
Many Colorado families are supporting what’s been called the ‘No One Dies Alone’ bill in response to strict visitation limitations.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4G5H7B7I2NGUDADZNDFZLMJGQE.JPG)
A southern Colorado church is proving any helping hand can make a difference, even when coming from the other side of the world.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NHB6TC4HBNF5PM2MGCO232OYTY.jpg)
“Watching the Starbucks CEO recieve a $14 Million bonus while our hours and paychecks dwindle, we knew we needed to act and act now,” said Bradley Kurtz, a barista at the Academy and Flintridge store.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BJMWGQQEWFDJ3OZ5BVHUPWPH6U.JPG)
A Colorado couple with strong ties in Ukraine is helping people and refugees there, while communicating with their own family and friends who are caught in the middle of the war with Russia.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VAGRLRNKTRB7HHVIRED5M7VIGU.JPG)
This move from local leaders comes as a growing number of governments, no matter how small, are cutting Russian ties. Chicago announced severing their Russian Sister City connection with Moscow last week.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/G2KR3KSMAFH2DIJU4KQ2KX26GM.jpg)
Colorado passed a law in 2020 promising insurance coverage for some fertility treatments starting Jan. 1 of this year, but problematic wording held up that law taking effect, forcing many couples to put off starting their families.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DWDUN2ZUMNEJPARRPSF6IKY3U4.jpg)
Nursing agency IntelyCare recently surveyed 500 nurses nationwide, finding more than half of them (56%) sacrifice mental health for their jobs. Also, more than two-in-five (41%) are considering leaving the profession.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/M7F2J46CSVBRROV7OV7UNDY43M.jpeg)
TONIGHT: President Biden to give his first State of the Union address amid rising tension in Ukraine
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine taking the world stage, President Biden is now expected to focus on foreign affairs in his first State of the Union address Tuesday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/P2SM2O3GVVC3DM2H357ETTGL3Q.JPG)
Colorado Springs leaders recently announced the seven month traffic study for S. 8th St., which will last from spring to fall. Following construction is likely in 2023.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NST4HHJ4RRFA3FT4CTTIREEQDU.JPG)
A southern Colorado woman is celebrating her 101st birthday this weekend.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/J4RHJR53SZAVTKZDCA7PC6A77I.JPG)
Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine come fears of Russian cyber attacks on the U.S.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DHGVS752KBBUJJFLVLIHWYISVI.jpg)
With frigid cold expected the next several days, animals experts are reminding pet owners to bring their furry companions indoors and be cautious of other concerns that come along with winter weather.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YMZQFIUJWJAQPPUORHFKZL7RRU.JPG)
An eye care provider in southern Colorado wants to make sure no one’s vision care goes overlooked.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GFP6HIO2BJHP7HWZLIWX6P7U7E.jpg)
Experts say the truck driver shortage will likely be apparent to end consumers through supply chain issues for another year or two, but the good news is more people are taking interest in the profession.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ADUAECWMEJJ4PDIAQTZCSGTF5A.jpg)
One of Colorado’s largest health systems has budgeted $50 Million to pay for its employees to further their education in hopes to attract and retain workers.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/B3JFMK5FZRAHZGATULOQIDIDJY.bmp)
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Americans, both men and women.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MJJH2AH2RBBCPEQZ62KCZ4ICGM.JPG)
Pieces of history that are almost 100 years old were removed from a southern Colorado historic district, leaving residents frustrated and now fighting to bring them back.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ILSPKBY3QZF4JGMFZOYXF2UTY4.JPG)
The word ‘endemic’ has been used by health officials around the country as something that could be on the horizon. Local health officials say El Paso County is not there yet.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ENO2WVMHKNHSRNPJU7A7DFQ4DI.jpg)
House Bill 22-1111 is meant to make the insurance process easier for future wildfire victims.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WJTIVWI5SZA5DEEIRWH4F4AQHE.JPG)
Doctors are explaining why more than one million rapid COVID test kits in Florida were deemed usable past their ‘use by’ dates by the Food and Drug Administration, while urging people to know that date on their at-home tests.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VDKS6VMZTJHIJDBAQNHDVUDQZM.jpg)
The 2022 Winter Olympics are underway after opening ceremonies Friday morning. The games come just months after the summer 2021 Tokyo Olympics, because those games were postponed one year due to COVID-19.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YA2TREBYDNDFJN6UTCVPWUKDLY.jpg)
Voters in 2020 approved a new tax on nicotine vaping products to generate funds to launch universally free preschool in Colorado.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YNBKQ4REFZBBHLDTEKSYWDWD3U.jpg)
Kids and teens at a Colorado Springs boxing gym have some new sparring partners and coaches.
Victims of the Marshall fire, which destroyed more than one thousand homes and businesses on New Year’s Eve, are looking at a long road ahead to rebuild, and insurance claims are just starting.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FZU56VRG65GBBIVRBUUTD7EM7M.jpg)
If you were one of the first people to order free at-home rapid test kits for COVID-19 through the federal government, your kits either already arrived or are due to arrive soon.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BMWARQOSV5FL7G2D4GIHYVZED4.JPG)
A southern Colorado doctor says a staff shortage in his offices has been the hardest part of getting through the latest wave of COVID-19, which brought on the highest numbers of daily reported positive cases in the state thus far in the pandemic.
A board responsible for reviewing public safety standards, including police practices, is seeking three new members.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KFIBVSL5ZJGLLEAVDBJITIN2MU.jpg)
A well known hotel in southern Colorado has new owners, and with that came a sudden mass firing for the hotel’s employees.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LXYFC6RNPZDRLFBSEGGLB3O2WQ.jpg)
Marking the conclusion of a yearslong effort to protect survivors of child sexual abuse and hold institutions that cover up abuse accountable, the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act goes into effect tomorrow, January 1, 2022.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ISKEDIBHHVFRTHEPKZP6WYJNXI.jpg)
Yet another large apartment building is being proposed downtown Colorado Springs, this time by Denver real estate firm, Narrate Companies.