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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Groups call for lawmakers to support bill for driving equity
The ACLU of Connecticut along with the Greater Hartford NAACP, the Center for Policing Equity, Smart Justice, and other groups are calling for support for Connecticut House Bill 5324 for Driving Equity. The bill would prevent officers from stopping cars to enforce secondary traffic violations. The groups held a news conference and rally outside of the Connecticut State Capitol building…
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Conn. Army National Guard units welcomed home by loved ones in Hartford
Two Connecticut Army National Guard aviation units are back home after about a year in one of the world’s most challenging regions. Family and friends were able to celebrate them with a Welcome Home ceremony in Hartford. For nearly 80 soldiers, home is just that much sweeter on Saturday. “I was in Iraq for the entirety of the deployment,” said…
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State puts spotlight on driving safety at work zones
As construction season ramps up, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is joining departments of transportation across the country to raise awareness about bad driving habits in construction work zones. It is Work Zone Safety Week. Poor driving habits in work zones are dangerous, unsafe, and in some cases have deadly consequences. On Wednesday, CT DOT encouraged people to wear orange…
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From corporate America to the kitchen: 9/11 survivor opens Latin Fusion restaurant
From corporate America to the kitchen, Chef Raul Rivera’s career has made quite the pivot. However, his new venture has him feeling more fulfilled than ever. It was one of his most significant life events 23 years ago that inspired him to finally make the shift to his love of cooking. Raul Rivera survived 9/11. He was working in the…
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Spring-like temperatures are great for golfers, but bring seasonal allergies as well
Spring-like temperatures brought people across Connecticut out for outdoor activities. After months of bearing the frigid temperatures and a lot of rain, golfers at Rockledge Golf Course in West Hartford were ecstatic to hit the green on Wednesday. “Ahh. It feels great!” said Joe Fiss from Chester. “Just looking forward to this!” Venu Guddera, a golfer from West Hartford, added….
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Lawmakers introduce ‘Broko's bill' to support cities and towns with K9 officers
A group of Republican legislators are introducing a new bill to support municipalities that have K9 officers. The bill dubbed “Broko’s Bill” is in honor of K9 Broko, a K9 officer with Stonington Police who was killed in the line of duty while trying to protect his handler in December. State Senator Heather Somers, who is one of the...
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Push for permanent child tax credit as 39% of CT families can't make ends meet
The Connecticut Nonprofit Child Tax Credit Coalition joined a group of lawmakers, nonprofits, and families at a news conference Wednesday to call for a permanent, fully refundable child tax credit. The credit would give families $600 a year per child with the goal of closing the gap on child poverty and creating a fair tax system. Lawmakers said pursuing a…
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UConn students, staff speak out about proposed budget cuts
Colleges and universities are working to decide how to address proposed budget cuts to higher education for the 2025 fiscal budget. The cuts stem from Governor Ned Lamont’s proposed budget, which does not include any new money for higher education. In addition, the loss of COVID-19 relief funds which are running out, would negatively impact colleges. This would leave the…
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UConn Ukrainian Student Association marks two years since invasion began by honoring lives lost
The UConn Ukrainian Student Association hosted a flag memorial Friday, a day ahead of the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some of the students within the association braved the cold and fog to commemorate and remember those who have been lost. One hundred flags were placed on the grass area in front of UConn’s student union....
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Event at state Capitol celebrates Historically Black Colleges and Universities
The Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity and the William E. Edwards Academic College Tours, Inc. hosted an HBCU Day at the State Capitol Thursday. Organizers said this was the first year the event took place but it was purposely done during Black History Month as a way to celebrate and bring awareness to Historically Black Colleges…
