Dan Corcoran is the nightside reporter based out of the New Haven bureau for WVIT-TV NBC 30 (NBC Connecticut) in Hartford.
Dan joined NBC Connecticut from "The List" TV show, which is a television news magazine that airs on E.W. Scripps owned stations, where he was a reporter. He was based at WPTV-TV NBC 5 in West Palm Beach, FL. While working for "The List" show, Dan also hosted news segment "Around South Florida" that aired weeknights on WPTV. In addition, he provided daily entertainment reports for 'On With Mario Lopez' on KOOL 105.5 FM. Prior to joining "The List" show, Dan was a reporter and anchor at WPTV and sister station WFLX-TV FOX 29 in West Palm Beach. Before WPTV, Dan was a reporter and weekend anchor at KEZI-TV ABC 9 in Eugene, OR. He has also worked as a producer at WMUR-TV in Manchester, NH; and as an anchor/reporter at public access station WMCT-TV in Marlborough, MA. He also interned at NBC's Today Show during college.
A native of Haverhill, MA, Dan is a 2004 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he studied communication. He also received a certificate in broadcasting from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Wellesley Hills, MA in 2006.
1. What kind of phone do you have, and what are your favorite apps?
I'm new to the iPhone club but so far I'm loving my iPhone 6. My go-to apps as of late are Periscope (It's so cool being able to get a little glimpse into someone's day anywhere in the world.), Waze (Getting stuck in gridlock traffic has never been so entertaining.), and Timehop (For better or for worse, I like taking a daily trip through my social media past.)
2. Favorite and least favorite news topics to cover (besides violent crime)?
Unlike a lot of journalists I've worked with, I really do like to cover 'travel nightmare' type stories. It's pretty surprising how much a disgruntled traveler is willing to speak about their frustrations to a reporter on a tight deadline. I also love to cover any story that has to do with our nation's veterans. Both of my grandfathers, who are no longer living, served in World War II and I often see a little bit of them in the other brave military men and women that I get to meet.
3. If you weren't working in TV news, what would you be doing?
Before life in the TV business, I was working full-time in the restaurant industry. It's a job that I think made me a better public speaker and even though it was hard work, it was so much fun! I was able to learn a lot about food and wine and have so much respect for all the hard work that goes into a good meal out at a great restaurant.
4. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?
One cartoon that always peaked my attention was Looney Tunes' 'Wile E. Coyote & The Road Runner'... not quite sure why.
5. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
I love to take my two dogs, Harvey and Maddie, for a walk in a spot where I can let them off their leashes. Seeing them playing and running around together just melts my stress away.
6. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
I went on a European journey not too long ago and was just blown away by the Alps in Switzerland. It was the most beautiful place I have ever been. That particular trip was during the very snowy winter months. Next time, I want to go back during the summer to see the Jungfrau region in full bloom.
7. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
My grandmother, Ruth. She was one of the most kind, funny and outspoken people I have ever had the pleasure to be around. She recently passed away, but the life lessons that she taught me and the rest of my extended family remain with all of us. For someone who lived into her nineties, she was more open-minded, accepting and forward thinking than most younger people I know.
8. Do you collect anything?
Ironically, this television news reporter has a big stack of old newspapers tucked away in my closet. I purchased the papers on days where major news events were happening, including several different publications from September 11, 2001. They are snapshots in history and I'll hold onto them for as long as they hold together.
9. What are the top 3 played songs on your iPod?
'Thinking Out Loud' by Ed Sheeran, 'Overjoyed' by Stevie Wonder, and 'Like I'm Gonna Lose You' by Meghan Trainor and John Legend.
10. What is one of your favorite quotes?
"Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
11. What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
This career has taken me from my home in New England to Oregon to Florida and now back to the northeast. The courage and the risk it takes for each and every move has made me stronger and smarter. After years away, it feels so good to be in Connecticut and so close to home. Though the journey wasn't always easy, I wouldn't change a thing.
More about Dan Corcoran
No endorsement between WVIT-TV and New England One is implied or intended by Dan Corcoran's participation in "11 Questions"
